Your Google Play Music purchases and data will be deleted on 24 February - here's what to do

Your Google Play Music purchases and data will be deleted on 24 February - here's what to do (Photo: Shutterstock)Your Google Play Music purchases and data will be deleted on 24 February - here's what to do (Photo: Shutterstock)
Your Google Play Music purchases and data will be deleted on 24 February - here's what to do (Photo: Shutterstock)

Users of the Google Play Music service have been warned to download their purchased downloads, or risk losing everything.

The tech company has given account holders until 24 February to make sure they don’t lose all their purchases, after which point it will delete all information associated with Play Music.

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The music service stopped streaming in December 2020. However, some users' music - including saved playlists, albums and songs - have remained available for export.

Here’s what to do to ensure you don’t lose your Play Music content.

Transfer data to YouTube Music

Google has informed any users wishing to ensure their Play Music content is saved to transfer the data to YouTube Music, or download an offline copy.

Users should transfer all the files they want to keep. This includes albums, saved playlists, and tracks users had uploaded manually from physical media.

The transfer to YouTube Music will also include the transfer of your Play Music profile. This means you will get recommendations on YouTube Music straight away. These will be based on your listening habits history, likes and dislikes.

When is the deadline?

The deadline was originally set for 31 December, but Google extended the deadline into 2021, with 24 February now the final date for people to transfer files.

In an email to all users Google said: “On Feb 24, 2021, we will delete all of your Google Play Music data.

“This includes your music library with any uploads, purchases, and anything you've added from Google Play Music. After this date, there will be no way to recover it."

How do I transfer my files?

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If you received an email from Google Play Music about the transfer, it included a button that will direct you to the transfer file page.

If you did not receive the email, you can start the transfer here.

Will I need to get a YouTube Music subscription?

You don’t need a YouTube Music subscription to move your existing Google Play Music collection over to the new platform. However, those who have used Google Play Music to purchase music for forever keeping will be left disappointed. YouTube Music has no purchase option within its subscription model.

YouTube Music costs £9.99 a month and offers ad-free music playback, curated playlists of popular tracks, and the ability to download music for offline listening.

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