iTunes defaults to my Library

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I press the MUSIC app. I highlight iTunes. I see the iTunes on the screen. In Search, I type in Doobie Brothers and the iTunes screen disappears and highlights Library (of my songs) with iTunes dimmed out. Cannot switch to iTunes as trying that does not work. It used to work before so I probably changed something. Any ideas?

Pete
 

IWT


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Forgive me from saying so, but you appear to have posted a very similar, if not identical, post:


Ian
 
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Hey @IWT, just wanted to jump in, I'm a different user than the original poster, but I'm experiencing the same issue with the Music app and iTunes on macOS. When I search for an artist, it kicks me back to my local Library instead of staying in iTunes, and I can’t seem to switch it back either. This didn’t used to happen, so I’m wondering if it’s a recent update or maybe a setting I accidentally changed.


If anyone has figured out a workaround or knows what's causing this, I would appreciate the help!
 

Rod


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There is no search function for iTunes Store because you are only seeing todays featured content. The Search bar only searches your content.
To access/download any of the displayed content or search iTunes Store itself you need an Apple Music subscription.

Screenshot 2025-06-13 at 13.48.00.png

For example if I click on a featured album;

Screenshot 2025-06-13 at 13.50.49.png

It asks me to renew my Subscription, which I am not about to do. I swapped to Spotify for this and other reasons years ago.
 
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To access/download any of the displayed content or search iTunes Store itself you need an Apple Music subscription.
WHAT??? That's absolutely monstrous. How on earth do Apple think they're going to sell any music if you can't even Search to see if they've got it? I can't think of any other content provider that prevents searching for content, even if you then have to sign up to consume it. I think it's not only uncommercial, it's anti-social, restrictive... I'm running out of negative adjectives here..
 
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Guys - posted this pic just recently on a similar thread here about this issue - when I open the Music App on my M2 MacAir laptop (latest Sequoia), I have the option on the far top right of viewing the 3 areas shown - the iTunes Store is selected and I can enter something (Elliott Carter this time) in the search window and generate what Apple has and the prices - not sure why others are not getting the same results? Dave
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Screenshot 2025-06-13 at 9.42.47 AM.png
 
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WHAT??? That's absolutely monstrous. How on earth do Apple think they're going to sell any music if you can't even Search to see if they've got it? I can't think of any other content provider that prevents searching for content, even if you then have to sign up to consume it. I think it's not only uncommercial, it's anti-social, restrictive... I'm running out of negative adjectives here..
Well, I don't have a subscription to Apple Music (use Spotify) but I've bought music from the iTunes store, and just doing a Google AI search generated the answer below - Apple wants to make money on its music store and forcing you to have an Apple Music membership seems rather counterproductive - but just my two cents - Dave

No, you don't need an Apple Music subscription to purchase music from the iTunes Store. You can still buy individual songs or albums from the iTunes Store, even if you don't have an Apple Music subscription. The iTunes Store allows you to purchase digital music, which you can then download and own, independent of any subscription service like Apple Music.
 
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I have no subscription to Apple Music and really don't use it, but I opened Music on my MBP with Sequoia 15.5 and there are two options on my system where Dave showed three. I see "Apple Music" and "Your Library" as the two. I did a search at "Apple Music" for The Doobie Brothers and it returned several pages of options. I have no idea why the iTunes store is still available, unless it is there for WIndows users and maybe those folks using really old versions of macOS.
 
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Guys - posted this pic just recently on a similar thread here about this issue - when I open the Music App on my M2 MacAir laptop (latest Sequoia), I have the option on the far top right of viewing the 3 areas shown - the iTunes Store is selected and I can enter something (Elliott Carter this time) in the search window and generate what Apple has and the prices - not sure why others are not getting the same results? Dave
.
View attachment 40437
Didn't you read my lengthy reply in that topic? o_O.
 

IWT


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I’m not sure that my comments will settle anything, but:

I pay £10.99 per month for Apple Music. That amounts to; perhaps, two or at most three coffees. I have access to x million “songs” (where x is allegedly 100 = 100 million songs.)

To date I’ve never failed in acquiring the exact ”song” I wanted. Be it Classical, Country Music, or a particular Orchestra, singer, musician or any of the many “artistes” and types of music around the world.

What I’m trying to emphasise is that a reasonable monthly sum gives you access to to an unlimited musical experience - most of these are not only the latest in stereo production (either from the original or by electronic manipulation); but includes “Atmos” which is stereo which adjusts to your head movement.

Older recordings in “mono” are usually electronically turned into stereo - how, I don’t know; but the result is amazing.

So I find it difficult to side with those who complain about the limitations of musical access.

I apologise if I’ve inadvertently upset a member; not intended.

Ian
 

Slydude

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Maybe I'm missing something but I'm not sure what the confusion is here.

My Mac mini has Apple Music installed and I have two user accounts on that machine. One user account is logged into my Apple Music subscription and the other is not. In both cases launching Music leads to the screen RadDave included in post #6.

In other words starting a search always presents me with the ability to search my library, the store, or an Apple Music subscription. I don't remember if the default is always the same.
 
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I have no idea why the iTunes store is still available,
the iTunes Store, is how Apple sells media, movies and songs, mostly for their devices now.
 
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the iTunes Store, is how Apple sells media, movies and songs, mostly for their devices now.
But Apple moved that to Apple Music. I think they maintain the iTunes store for older versions of the various OSes on older Apple (and Windows) machines.
 

Rod


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Guys - posted this pic just recently on a similar thread here about this issue - when I open the Music App on my M2 MacAir laptop (latest Sequoia), I have the option on the far top right of viewing the 3 areas shown - the iTunes Store is selected and I can enter something (Elliott Carter this time) in the search window and generate what Apple has and the prices - not sure why others are not getting the same results? Dave
.
View attachment 40437
RadDave, you are correct, just goes to show what I know. As stated I haven't used Music for quite a while but yes, if I do a Search for an Artist it defaults to My Library first but in the Upper Right corner there are two other options; Apple Music and iTunes Store.

Screenshot 2025-06-14 at 08.23.34.png

So I stand corrected, I apologise for my obvious lack of familiarity with the current Music app.
 

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