How can I delete tracks stored only in iCloud that won’t delete from my Mac?

A few days ago, I read this thread:

How do I stop this annoying error message in Music?

Latest reply 1 week ago by turingtest2


and then created playlists called “found” and ‘lost’ (I didn't have any tracks with exclamation marks). I found about 800 tracks in the “lost” playlist. 

I “missed” about 200 and downloaded them. 

My problem: I can't delete the remaining tracks. They are not physically on my Mac like the others, but on iCloud.

What else can I do—or should I just delete the lost & found playlists and forget about the 600 tracks on iCloud?

Thanx Reiner




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: I cannot delete tracks on icloud

Posted on Aug 27, 2025 7:59 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 27, 2025 11:15 AM

Hi,


Do you have a subscription to Apple Music, or iTunes Match? Assuming you do use the Songs view and enable the Cloud Status column if currently hidden. What is the Cloud Status of these tracks? E.g. waiting, matched, something else? You may be able to download these tracks (right-click > download), assuming you want to, otherwise there should be a right-click menu item that allows you to delete/remove them. If those aren't options what shows instead? Note your unhidden/undownloaded purchase history normally shows as being in the cloud. You can hide purchases if desired, see Hide and unhide music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and books - Apple Support.


tt2

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 27, 2025 11:15 AM in response to rkblnn

Hi,


Do you have a subscription to Apple Music, or iTunes Match? Assuming you do use the Songs view and enable the Cloud Status column if currently hidden. What is the Cloud Status of these tracks? E.g. waiting, matched, something else? You may be able to download these tracks (right-click > download), assuming you want to, otherwise there should be a right-click menu item that allows you to delete/remove them. If those aren't options what shows instead? Note your unhidden/undownloaded purchase history normally shows as being in the cloud. You can hide purchases if desired, see Hide and unhide music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and books - Apple Support.


tt2

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How can I delete tracks stored only in iCloud that won’t delete from my Mac?

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