Apple Releases Tool to Remove U2's Free Song of Innocence Album

Some iPhone users are not happy that U2's new album, "Songs of Innocence," was automatically added to their iTunes music library, free of charge. In response, Apple is releasing a special tool that lets people remove the album from their collections.

While it was already possible to delete the album, Apple's tool makes it possible in one step.

U2 played at an Apple event last week that included the unveiling of the iPhone maker's new smartwatch and updated iPhone models. In a surprise move, the Irish rock band performed at the event and put out its 11-song release, its first album in five years.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who joined U2 frontman Bono on stage for a playful countdown to the unexpected announcement, described the move as "the largest album release of all time."

Bono described the album, the band's first since "No Line on the Horizon" in 2009, deeply personal and said the release served as "instant gratification."

"From the very beginning, U2 have always wanted our music to reach as many people as possible, the clue is in our name I suppose so today is kind of mind-blowing to us," Bono said.

"The most personal album we've written could be shared with half a billion people by hitting send. If only songwriting was that easy."

Apple - which revealed its first smartwatch, as well as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus at the event - said last week it would provide the album for free to customers who set up iTunes accounts in the next five weeks.

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the new album would be given to the company's 500 million iTunes users. The release showed up in users' iTunes music libraries. iTunes users took to Twitter to complain and ask how to remove it.

Written with agency inputs