Remove download is deleting files

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Level 1

6 points

Remove download is deleting files

Hoping for help from someone well-versed in iTunes Match, to which I've subscribed since it was introduced in 2011. I'm now running Monterey, and I just used the "remove download" command on a track for the first time in a couple of years. I have "cloud status" turned on in the view options on Music. This track showed up as Matched. I control-clicked to "remove download." I did not choose "Delete from Library." In the past, the track would still show up in the library with the option to download it again from the cloud. This time the track disappeared from the library and was deleted from my laptop. It was not moved to the trash--simply disappeared. Luckily I had a separate backup copy and was able to add it to the library again. Has anyone else encountered this?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Jan 21, 2023 8:15 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

274,564 points

Jan 21, 2023 10:58 AM in response to Richard!!

Remove download deletes the locally stored copy of a track, leaving you with a cloud link if the item is a purchase from the iTunes Store or you have iCloud Music Library as part of Apple Music or iTunes Match. Is Sync Library enabled in Music > Preferences > General?

tt2

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Answer 2

Richard!! Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 21, 2023 6:32 PM in response to turingtest2

Yes, that's how it's always worked for me in the past. Sync Library is enabled. But for now, the "remove download" choice is also causing the cloud link to disappear, as if I have chosen "delete from library." Interestingly, I have since figured out that another laptop of mine, synced to the same account, still shows the cloud link. So the track isn't actually being deleted from the iCloud music library. If I only had one computer, though, there would be no way to know that the track wasn't deleted. (Just double checked, and I'm also still able to download the missing track from my iPhone.)

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