Skip to main content

Users report widespread issues with Apple Music, iTunes, other services

apple music services down android 970x0 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
If you’re having trouble accessing Apple Music, the App Store, iTunes, your favorite Apple TV apps, or numerous other services from the Cupertino kids, it’s not just you. Users began reporting trouble with the services earlier this morning, most notably with Apple’s prized new music streaming service.

Somewhere in the distance, you can hear the cold echo of Spotify laughing.

Recommended Videos

At the time of publication, Apple has released only a vague statement online, saying “We are investigating and will update the status as more information becomes available.” But it appears the company may be having some trouble with its CDN (Content Delivery Network), which was created a few years back in an effort to allow the tech titan to better deliver updates for iOS, OS X, as well as, presumably, to provide clear and open lanes for delivery of Apple Music, and the forthcoming Apple TV video streaming service.

Apple Insider has claimed the issues were caused by increased volume due to the exclusive unveiling of the MTV Video Music Awards nominees on Apple’s Beats 1 radio service , which, considering the services affected, is a rather comical example of cause and effect.

Checking on Apple’s system status online, several of Apple’s services are designated with a sad yellow diamond next to them, meaning users are experiencing erratic issues with said services. At publication, those affected included: the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, iBooks Store, iTunes in the Cloud, iTunes Match, iTunes Store, iTunes U, Mac App Store, OS X Software Update, Radio, and the Volume Purchase Program.

Apple System Status
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Note that around least half of those affected are tied in to Apple’s new baby, Apple Music, including the Radio services, all iTunes services, and Apple Music itself. For a streaming platform that’s just recently crested over the horizon, the issues come at an unfortunate time, namely when users are still getting used to the idea of relying on Apple for virtually all of their music needs. On the bright side, users are still enjoying a free trial for Apple Music, so there’s no viable complaint about monetary restitution.

Today marks the first day Apple Music has had any notable issues. We’re still monitoring the situation, and the safe bet is that Apple will have these issues cleared up soon. For now, however, Spotify is no doubt enjoying the ride.

Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…
Apple’s Music Haptics feature helps the hard of hearing feel the music
Apple's Music Haptics accessibility feature on an iPhone.

Apple today announced a slew of forthcoming accessibility features, including one that could be a game-changer for the deaf and hard of hearing. Music Haptics, the company, says will help users feel and experience music on their iPhones.

Apple says that Music Haptics, which is set to be available later this year, is an accessibility feature that uses the iPhone's Taptic Engine (Apple's tech that has long provided tactile sensations and feedback to its range of devices) to play "taps, textures, and refined vibrations to the audio of the music," according to a press release.

Read more
Former Apple exec joins upcoming sports streaming service as CEO
Pete Distad, CEO of the new sports streaming service from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Former Hulu and Apple executive Pete Distad will serve as CEO of the new sports streaming service from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Handout photo

It doesn't have a name. It doesn't have a launch date. (And if you already subscribe to a streaming service like YouTube TV, this really isn't for you anyway.) But the upcoming super sports streaming service that combines the sports you'd find from Disney (think ESPN and ABC), Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery now has someone in charge.

Read more
Spotify adds music videos for Premium users in a handful of countries
A promo image for music videos on Spotify.

Spotify today announced that it's bringing music videos (ask your parents, kids) to the streaming music service. With some caveats, however.

First is that this is somehow all in "beta," though it's not exactly clear what that means. It's not like music videos are new. Or streaming video is new. It could be that the catalog of music videos is said to be "limited," so maybe Spotify is just testing the waters before it spends more money on more music videos. But Spotify says you'll be able to watch vids from artists like Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, and Ice Spice, among others. Spotify does say "In this beta launch, we’ll continue to innovate and iterate based on feedback from both users and artists."

Read more