As soon as you subscribe to Apple Music, you can add songs, albums, playlists, and music videos from Apple Music to your music library, which is accessible from your devices.
On the other hand, you can also clear and reset your Apple Music library, which would delete all the songs, albums, and playlists from your Apple Music profile.
How to clear your Apple Music library (using a computer)
The best way to reset your Apple Music library is to use a computer. You’ll need to navigate to the Songs menu, select all the songs, and click Delete from Library. Here are the steps:
- Open the Apple Music app or the web version (music.apple.com).
- Click on the Songs menu in the sidebar.
- Select all the songs on the list.
- Click backspace on your keyboard.
To clear your entire Apple Music library across all of your devices, click Delete from Library and confirm when prompted. Congratulations, you can now start fresh.
If you delete a playlist that contains songs from your library, the songs in the playlist remain in your music library and on your computer or device.
This is why I recommend deleting your library from the Songs tab.
How to clear the Apple Music library (using an iPhone or iPad)
So what if you don’t have a Mac computer or you’ve never used the web version of Apple Music? You still can clear the Apple Music library but it will be tedious.
Here’s how to delete songs from Apple Music library on an iOS device:
- Open the Apple Music app.
- Tap on Library at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap on Songs from the list of options.
- Hold down on a song you’d like to delete.
- Tap on Remove from the list of options.
- Tap on Delete from Library to remove it from your library.
If you’ve downloaded that particular song, you’ll be given a choice between “Remove Download” and “Delete from Library” after you’ve tapped on Remove.
To delete whole albums, go back to the Library and tap on Albums instead of Songs. Hold down on an album and tap on Delete from Library, then tap on Delete Album.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to delete songs, albums, or playlists one by one if you’re using an iOS device (iPhone or iPad). The only way to bulk delete songs from your library is to use the web.
Deleting your profile won’t clear your Apple Music library
There are some websites out there that recommend deleting your profile to clear your Apple Music library. Unfortunately, deleting your profile won’t clear your Apple Music library.
According to Apple, your Apple Music subscription, library, and playlists aren’t affected if you delete your profile, but you’re no longer able to see what your friends are listening to.
Deleting your profile means that your playlists and music no longer appear in searches, and your followers no longer see you or your music in their profiles.
Your information and followers will be retained for 90 days. If you create your profile again within 90 days, your previous information and followers will be restored.
Why would anyone delete their Apple Music library?
You might be thinking, why would anyone delete their Apple Music library? It’s part of your activities on Apple Music and can help the app recommend good songs.
The truth is, some people choose to completely wipe their Apple Music library to start fresh. It’s as if that person had just created a new Apple Music account.
Unlike removing all downloads, clearing the Apple Music library is a way to restart your account so that the app “forgets” all the artists, albums, songs, and playlists you’ve saved.
For example, someone might have been subscribed to Apple Music for two years and their music taste has changed drastically and that person wants to reset everything and start fresh.
If that’s you, you might want to clear your Apple Music library.
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