why did Apple confuse iTunes app with My Music?
Very difficult to use with iTunes, requiring a subscription. for YEARS I have not had to organize a subscription
You do not need to have a subscription to use
- the Music app on an iPhone or iPad
- the Music application on a Mac (Catalina and later)
- the iTunes application on a Mac (Mojave and earlier)
- the iTunes for Windows application on a Windows PC
All of these can play purchased music with no subscription required. (To load music purchased from somewhere other than the iTunes Store onto an iPhone, you would load the music into a Music or iTunes on a Mac or Windows PC, then manually synchronize the iPhone against that Mac or PC.)
However, the user interfaces to various of these applications may emphasize Apple Music subscription features or the iTunes Store. If you are looking for purchased music, it will be in your Library.