Apple Music Doesn’t Work Without WiFi? – Proven Solutions

Wondering why Apple Music doesn’t work without WiFi? Well, to put this simply, Apple Music streaming only works on devices with an internet connection.

However, the Apple Music app can be used as only a “streaming player” on Android and iOS for locally downloaded songs (no WiFi).

The reason why Apple Music won’t work without WiFi could be due to weak or no 4G/5G (mobile data) or the absence of internet on your device.

For offline streaming users need to download songs (locally) and listen through the Apple Music Library (no subscription).

Let’s unwrap this further!

Does Apple Music Work Without WiFi?

The short answer is yes, Apply Music works without WiFi, as long as your device is connected to the internet in any other way.

For mobile devices, the cellular (mobile data) and for Apple or Android TVs you can be connected via Ethernet cable.

Apple Music Offline Streaming?

Apple Music allows listeners to stream music offline only after the selected songs were acquired in the Local Library (on your phone).

You can acquire songs in the Apple Music Library in two ways – by purchasing them from iTunes or adding them from a computer with the iTunes app. 

Apple Music Data Consumption?

You don’t need to download the songs when you have mobile data on your smartphone, which does not require WiFi.

This is pure internet allowing you to stream audio through Apple Music which consumes about 0.72 MB of data per minute.

In case the Apple Music won’t work without WiFi, let’s jump into the troubleshooting!

Apple Music Doesn’t Work Without WiFi – 5 Solutions!

Note: The solutions involve both Android and iOS steps!

1. Use Mobile Data (Cellular Internet)

The first and most basic approach would be to use, of course, mobile data and not WiFi, so we can stream songs from Apple Music.

However, note that this is not offline streaming, and it’s still using an internet connection, which is not WiFi.

• Apple Music on Apple or Android TV, can work with an Ethernet cable (no WiFi)

Ways to Optimize Mobile Data:

Apple Music might not be working without WiFi due to a weak or inconsistent 4G/5G, which can be improved in a few ways.

Here are the ways to optimize the speed of mobile data:

• Try to improve coverage by moving outside
• If you’re underground go up and high
• Stop downloading/uploading on your phone
• Toggle ON and OFF the mobile data feature
• Reboot your 4G/4G smartphone (Shutdown)

Tip: We also recommend going to Apple System Status, and checking whether Apple Music and all related services are currently online!

2. Allow “Mobile Data” for Apple Music!

One of the most important factors that users miss and wonder why Apple Music won’t stream on cellular internet is due to settings limitations.

To justify this, go into Settings, then scroll to find “Music” and open the tab to check whether the “Mobile Data” toggle is turned ON or OFF. 

To simply, enable all of the following options:

• Mobile Data Music  – ON
• Show Apple Music – ON
• Show All Purchases – ON
• Mobile Data Streaming – High Quality
• Download over Mobile Data

Note: You can skip this step if your streaming device is Android.

3. Reinstall the Apple Music App

In case your mobile data internet is enabled on your device but Apple Music won’t stream music and only works with WiFi, perhaps it’s due to a system bug.

The best way to overcome these software issues would be by performing a clean Apple Music app reinstallation.

Android:

To uninstall and reinstall the Apple Music app on Android, follow the steps below:

1. On your Android device open the Google Play Store.
2. From there tap on your Profile Icon at the right side.
3. Then, select Manage Apps & Devices to view all.
4. Select Apple Music from the list and Uninstall the app.
5. Then search to find and download Apple Music.

iPhone:

To remove and cleanly install the Apple Music app on your iPhone follow the steps below:

1. Find the Apple Music app on the home screen.
2. Tap and hold the icon and select “Remove App”.
3. Then open the App Store and find Apple Music.
4. Download and install the app on your iPhone.

Note: On Android, you would need to sign into your Apple Account to access online playlists and other in-app settings as well as the benefits of your subscription.

4. Reset Device Network Settings!

The reason why Apple Music won’t work without WiFi even when your cellular data is intact, could be due to a misconfiguration in the network settings.

It’s time to wipe all old settings and start fresh to check whether this will eliminate the Apple Music connectivity problem.

Alert: Resetting the network settings deletes all Bluetooth, cellular, and WiFi settings!

How to Reset Network Settings? – Android:

To remove the network settings on Android phones and tablets, go into Settings then select the System tab and proceed with going into the Advanced menu.

The next step is to select “Reset Network Settings” and confirm, by tapping RESET SETTINGS.

How to Reset Network Settings? – iPhone:

On iPhones, the Reset Options can be found in Settings > General, and from there you only need to select Reset Network Settings.

This only takes a few seconds and your iPhone will certainly reboot while displaying the Apple logo.

Reminder: Don’t forget to toggle on the Mobile Data from the setting when you’re ready!

5. Disable “Low Power Mode”

Even if rarely, on some devices, the Low Power Mode disables some essential services such as the cellular 4G/5G, making Apple Music unable to stream.

This is why we recommend to test whether any power mode is enabled and, respectively, disabling the feature to test without.

• The Power Mode can be accessed through the Quick Menu!

In addition, check for any battery saver that might be preserving the device’s battery by stopping essential networking tasks.

If necessary, plug your phone into the charger, disable the WiFi, enable the mobile data, and test whether Apple Music will now be able to stream correctly.

Start Listening “Offline” – (No WiFi & No 3G/4G)

Now that we’ve learned how to listen to Apple Music without WiFi, it’s time to learn one of the biggest advantages of Apple Music.

This is the ability to stream music through the app even when we’re offline which requires the songs to be locally downloaded to the mobile phone.

• The reward is that a subscription is not even required, it’s free!

The first step is to acquire the songs we need as a file on our computer:

1. Transfer Songs from PC to iPhone:

For this purpose you need to install iTunes, if you’re using a Windows computer or simply open iTunes for iMac and Macbook users.

iTunes should be downloaded only from the official Apple website to guarantee the best workability.

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.
2. Press “Trust” on the prompt that will appear. 
3. The connected iPhone will appear in the iTunes app.
4. Drag and drop the song file/s into your iTunes library.
5. Then click on your connected iPhone icon in iTunes.
6. From the menu on the left select the “Music” tab.
7. Next, check all of the songs and tap on “Sync”.
8. When ready, open Apple Music and go to the Library.

Note: Downloaded songs in this way, can’t be used as iPhone ringtones!

2. Transfer Songs from PC to Android:

You don’t need iTunes to transfer songs to your Android smartphone or tablet and listen to them in the Apple Music app without WiFi.

The operation is simple, as follows:

1. Connect the Android phone or tablet to PC via USB.
2. Then select “Use USB for File Transfer” and open.
3. Drag and drop the downloaded song/s in the folder.
4. Open the Apple Music app on your Android phone.
5. Go to the “Library” and check for the local songs.

Note: The locally downloaded songs take up the device’s storage!

Quick Recap:

Hence, Apple Music doesn’t work without WiFi because of weak or inconsistent cellular data (3G/4G/5G) or due to areas with poor network coverage.

In case the issue is related to something else, users should attempt to reset the network settings on their devices.

Read Next: Why Aren’t Certain Songs on Apple Music? – Easy Fix!