Let's explore a fact here. The most basic purpose of a computer is file transfer. If you work up a project on your computer and you can't transfer that data to the rest of the world, what did you accomplish? Are you planning on having the bulk of 8 billion people dropping by your place to review and critic your work?
If I had FU money I'd sue the hell out of Apple. There has to be some sort of anti-trust violation in the way they are forcing this. For example...Amazon Music does not force you into a subscription in order to purchase and download music and they don't alter your file so that it can't be used elsewhere. I have over 1800 songs. As I am new to Apple, I still have 60 or so days of 'free' Apple Music but after that, unless I enter into a paid subscription, I will lose access to all 1800 already paid for songs. Why should I have to pay for a service (monthly) when I will not likely be downloading very much music from them in the future?
I feel your husbands pain. Now, what do we do about this? Pool our resources and file class action against Apple? Pardon my rant.
“...what data I can and can’t put on MY phone....”
“YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND BE HAPPY.” - KLAUS SCHWAB, WEF.........
Research and see if the EU is possibly suing Apple on this issue. They have pursued Apple on numerous issues, MUCH more than the FTC, and forced them to change.
I have plenty of “3rd party store” and “ripped from CD/vinyl” music files in my iPhone music library. You have a computer? Is it a Mac or Windows or Linux? Where is your music library/files on that PC?
Windows:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/118290
https://www.wikihow.com/Move-Music-from-Computer-to-iPhone
https://www.guidingtech.com/transfer-music-from-computer-to-iphone/
Mac:
(Music automatically syncs with iPhone/Apple TV box/iPad, etc.)
I like most of Apple’s products but iTunes is a royal mess.
(BBSST: BTW: you get free phone support with your iPhone purchase):
https://getsupport.apple.com/solutions
And for “MomWithHope”: Apple Support will help you even if his phone is old/out of warranty....pick “iPhone’ and “Apple Music/iTunes” at the above link then “See your support options”/”Continue” for Apple Support Phone or Chat at the bottom of the page.
I’m a recent convert from Android to Apple. I have some real issues now with Apple deciding what data I can and can’t put on MY phone.
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I’ve had Samsung/Androids and I’ve had iPhones, and what you said is the biggest difference between the two, in my opinion.
I miss being able to drop media files right into my Android device and just playing it. No gatekeeper (iTunes) to decide what I’m allowed to play, or what’s free or needs to be paid for.
I now use a 3rd party music player instead of my phone(s) for playing media.