Rather than streaming all of their music, many people prefer to download their favorite tracks to the Music app on their iPhone or iPad. This can provide easy access while you don't have an internet connection, but downloaded music can take up a lot of space on your device.
In the Music app, you can choose how you want your music stored on your iPhone or iPad. Once you've hit your maximum storage allotment (as chosen by you), songs you haven't played in a while will automatically offload from your device. Here's how to take charge.
What is Optimized Storage?
First introduced as part of iCloud Photo Library, Optimized Storage lets you keep a portion of your library on your device (depending on your free storage space) and automatically dumps older items to make room for newer options as time goes on. In iOS 9, the Music app had a behind-the-scenes version of Optimized Storage, but it tended to drive users crazy — they'd get on a plane, thinking they could listen to a favorite album, only to find it mysteriously missing from their device.
On iOS 10 and newer, Apple puts the choice in the user's hands: You can either use Optimized Storage and let the company automatically manage your mobile music collection, or you can choose to disable it and store any downloaded music locally until you say otherwise.
How to turn optimized storage on for Music
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and select Music.
Under Downloads, tap Optimized Storage.
Turn the Optimized Storage switch to the 'on' position. It should now be green.
Select the amount of storage space you would like to allow your music to take up before iOS removes the downloaded files.
How to turn optimized storage off for Music
- Open Settings.
Scroll down and select Music.
Under Downloads, tap Optimized Storage.
Turn the Optimized Storage switch to the 'off' position. It should now be white.
Questions?
Let us know below!

Welcome to iPhone 13 Pro (maybe)
Apple is likely to announce a new round of iPhones later this year – will one look like this?

Stunning new 2021 iMac leak reveals new design in five colors
Jon Prosser at Front Page Tech has just revealed that Apple plans to unveil brand new iMacs with a total redesign and in five new colors.

Project Triangle Strategy offers small but unique takes on the RPG genre
Square Enix's latest strategy RPG project is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2022, but you don't have to wait that long to try it out. You can download the demo right now. Here's what we think of this new IP.

Keep your AirPods Max safe and sound on a headphone stand
Don't throw your AirPods Max into some old drawer! Put them on display and keep them safe with a headphone stand. Plus, they come in several convenient shapes and sizes.