iTunes 12.2.1 Brings Fix for DRM Issue, Beats 1 Improvements, and More

The latest update brings fixes for an issue that caused non-protected music files to be converted into a DRM-protected file that could only work with an Apple Music subscription. Other changes include minor bug fixes and improvements for Beats 1 Radio and a way to correct the also-reported library problem affecting former iTunes Match subscribers. The new iTunes 12.2.1 maintenance update is now available on the Mac App Store and for Windows users via the Apple website.

Apple on its Support Page has explained steps to help iTunes Match and Apple Music subscribers fix the DRM-protected file issue that was reported by some, where the file was converted into to a DRM-protected file that only works with an Apple Music subscription.

(Also see: Everything You Need to Know About Apple Music)

The company says, "If songs that were matched by iTunes Match show up as Apple Music songs in iTunes, update to iTunes 12.2.1."

For some users who joined Apple Music and were subscriber to iTunes Match, some previously matched songs appeared as Apple Music songs after the Apple Music playlists was added. The company claims that the update to iTunes 12.2.1, fixes the issue.

(Also see: Apple Music's Beats 1 Radio: 10 Things to Know)

"Update to the latest version of iTunes to correct the information automatically. After you update, you can remove and download again any songs that were incorrectly downloaded as Apple Music," notes Apple's Support page.

The Cupertino-based giant has also detailed steps to remove and re-download songs again that were incorrectly saved as Apple Music songs. Users can open iTunes 12.2.1 and in the upper-left corner of iTunes, tap the Music icon > click My Music. Next, control-click the songs that were incorrectly downloaded as Apple Music, then choose 'Remove Download'. Lastly, control-click the same songs, then choose 'Make available offline' to download them again correctly as Matched songs.

(Also see: Facebook Music Streaming Service Tipped to Rival Apple Music, Spotify)

To recall, the Apple Music issues were reported soon after the service rollout began earlier this month such as deletion of songs and playlists from the iTunes library of several users.

The problems was reported to occur only when users turned on iCloud Music Library (a feature introduced in iTunes 12.2 and iOS 8.4) with Apple Music, an option that was meant to provide features like offline caching. Some users also reported problems like the substitution of bad artwork and metadata, apart from the replacement of files with DRM-protected ones.