As an Apple Music subscriber, you're able to download songs, playlists, and albums from the Apple Music catalog to your iPhone or iPad for offline listening, but this can gradually eat up your device's storage space over time.

pin apple music app ios
Fortunately the Music app includes a handy feature that can spring into action whenever your device's storage space runs low, and automatically offload songs you haven't played for a while in order to make space for newer ones.

It's called Optimized Storage, and here's how you can enable it.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Scroll down to the apps list and select Music.
  3. Under Downloads, tap Optimized Storage.
    settings

  4. Toggle the Optimized Storage switch to the "on" position so that it shows green.
  5. Choose a minimum storage amount that you want to keep for music before downloaded songs start being removed from your device.

You can also monitor storage space by turning off automatic downloads and making sure to download new songs manually when needed. There's also an option to remove downloaded songs one by one from the Apple Music app if you prefer not to have songs offloaded by Apple automatically.

Top Rated Comments

burgman Avatar
2 weeks ago

Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that feels offline music is the way to go. I never understood going to streaming only.

Knappeduivel: I feel the same way about the Apple ecosystem. And thanks for introducing me to Swinsian. I'll have to check that out.
I don't understand wanting to own music these days. Back in the day before high quality streaming ok. If people get enjoyment from owning vinyl or even tape again ok. I have a medium sized library that I hardly ever listen to. I use YouTube music, nothing comes close to their catalog of one off performances , official band videos, concert videos, etc. With Premium subscription it's great. The algorithm works well for casual listening. Only issue is sound quality isn't the best but the tradeoff is worth it to me.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jakebrosy Avatar
2 weeks ago
I guess we're old-school. We tried Apple Music but could never get it to play the music we wanted to listen to. It's like there's some agreement that I have to have a Kanye West song and a Taylor Swift song every 20 minutes...and don't get me started on George Michael's Last Christmas!

We repurposed a retired 512gb iPhone 13 as a storage device connected to our "sound system" (really 2 bookshelf speakers-we are decidedly low tech on that front) and pushed most of our music (29k+ songs) onto it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SFjohn Avatar
2 weeks ago
I had the opportunity to have 3 free months of Apple Music due to a recent purchase, I passed on it. I have all the music I want ~40,000 songs ripped from CDs. I also have a few SACD that I cherish. ??
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rachid Vàzquez Avatar
2 weeks ago
This option has never worked properly. Even with a storage threshold set, you’ll still need to delete your music manually.

(I’m sure many people have experienced the same issue for years.)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
repoman016 Avatar
2 weeks ago

Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that feels offline music is the way to go. I never understood going to streaming only.

Knappeduivel: I feel the same way about the Apple ecosystem. And thanks for introducing me to Swinsian. I'll have to check that out.
Maybe I can help. I prefer streaming because if I'm ever going to be offline, I can download the songs to play them offline. It doesn't require learning any new programs, manipulating files, downloading software.. nothing. Its simple. When I was younger offline was my jam, but now that I'm older, I just dont have the time/energy to scour the web to find a song i wanna download, then try to learn how to get them on to my phone wether it be iTunes or a different software. Back in the day you used to find songs that had some of the DJ in the intro still lol. I'm sure this isnt the case now, but just my perspective. It's also nice being able to stream from any device. I can listen from my phone, or log into my TV and listen through my stereo. Listen via my iPad. Doesn't require me to set up a home server and play music from there which is another hobby to learn in itself
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamgalt Avatar
2 weeks ago

But my eventual plan is to cancel my $10/m plan and revert BACK to old-school offline music

Agree, offline is the way to go. I maintain a paid streaming acount (currently Tidal since it is better) but my main focus is my offline music since there is no way to build a proper collection online. Single stars as a rating, playlists and maps ar just noit good enough. Swinsian is my music player because it is better than iTunes in its best days. I use Apple Music (the app) mainly to get music on my Phone.
Sad, I used to feel at home in the Apple ecosystem but at this point I am drifting away.
Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that feels offline music is the way to go. I never understood going to streaming only.

Knappeduivel: I feel the same way about the Apple ecosystem. And thanks for introducing me to Swinsian. I'll have to check that out.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...