iTunes downloading instead of adding to Apple Music

[tfindlay]

When I click the Add button on my iMac iTunes downloads the album to my Mac. On my phone and iPad clicking the + button doesn't cause a download. The album is just added to my Apple Music library. Is it normal for iTunes to download Apple Music additions on the Mac or can I set it just add the album to my Library without downloading the tracks?

Cheers,
Terry

 

[chas_m]

When you click the Add button, you are telling Apple Music that you want to add that album/song to your library. I’m not on my Mac at the moment, but I believe this just adds a reference to the songs/albums to your library and doesn’t actually download the physical file on your machine until you specify that you want the track/album for “offline listening.” I’ll check on this when I get home (I’ve just left Seattle as I write this).

 

[tfindlay]

Thanks Charles. I'm pretty sure it's downloading the tracks. I haven't been able to find where to toggle "offline listening".

 

[chas_m]

Nope. Allow me to illustrate:

When you click "Add" in iTunes to an album on Apple Music, you'll see these cloud symbols next to the songs, like so:



If you then click the cloud symbol, THEN that song will actually be downloaded to your drive. Up to that point, it streams (i.e., an internet connection is required) when you click the "play" button. You can right-click on the songs of the added album to also access the "Download" choice, as well as other options.



You'll notice in the top shot above that the "cloud/download" symbol appears near the album name as well. That's so you don't have to click "download" on every track -- clicking on the symbol there downloads the entire album.

PS. Carolyn Mark lives in Victoria, is a very dear friend, and something of a legend in the "high lonesome" genre of folk/country/rock. Check her out!

 

[tfindlay]

Your screenshot shows what I want to happen but on my MacBook Air and my iMac this is what happens when I click the Add button.
I can't find a way to switch off the downloading.

 

[chas_m]

I suspect that you have "Automatic Downloads" turned on. You can check this by looking at your iTunes preferences -> Downloads.

You may also need to check your iOS devices to see if any of them have "automatic downloads" turned on.