Why Does iTunes Take So Long To Open & What To Do

The long wait period it takes the iTunes player to boot can be excruciating to watch. But initially, your iTunes did not start up as slow; this problem built up over time. So why does it get slow with time? What changed?

iTunes takes so long to open because many background activities are going on in the app simultaneously. Once you start your iTunes player, it begins to sync and download modified or new music automatically. With all these processes running, it will need more time to figure out and update all information before turning it on.

Nevertheless, it is logical to say that the iTunes player accumulates more files or more responsibilities with time. Although the added obligations are crucial, it does not make the booting-wait-time easier to endure. Learn how you can balance what you need running on the app and improve the start time.

Why Does iTunes Take So Long To Open

iTunes takes so long to open because it tries to update all the information it thinks you need. Primarily, to improve your iTunes, turn off and remove the added files the player is processing. Here are explanations to buttress this point.

Automated Synchronization 

If you have more than one Apple device, you can listen to the same playlists on different devices. To use that feature, you have turned on the auto-sync setting. The devices may include all these devices and more; iPhone, iPad, iPod etc. 

However, the auto-sync feature causes the iTunes player to create different backup folders, resulting in the iTunes opening slowly. You set your device to automatically synchronize; that is, the system puts itself on a timer and syncs at intervals. The other option is for you to do the syncing at your own time and pace manually. Having multiple devices may make the manual sync seem like so much work, but it saves time when opening the app. It will relieve your iTunes app from the added responsibility as a result of this task. We advise that you turn off the auto-sync feature and use manual synchronizing.

To manually sync, the iTunes player expects you to auto-fill or drag and add playlists individually. Yes, it is demanding if you have a long playlist, but worth it.

Auto-Download 

You can get your songs by subscribing to Apple Music and download songs you fancy. Also, you may pay for them via the iTunes store and download them to your device. These bought- music from the store would auto-download on your other devices when you sync. As we mentioned already, iTunes tries to update all information as it boosts, resulting in a slower process. To fix this, turn off this feature and only use it when you are interested in syncing.

Subscription 

iTunes has added services like watching TV and movies, listening to music and podcasts, radio, and other web content. These subscriptions can slow down your iTunes player as they play in the background. Sometimes you may not even notice they are running behind your app. We recommend that you turn it off or remove the subscription altogether. The iCloud saves all information you sync; it would be fair to call it an online-backup info bank. The setting to auto-save on the iCloud is switched-on most times, and you have to turn it off. 

iTunes tries to update all its info, to do this; it cross-references with its online backup and dishes all information. Yes, that is a lot of processing as iTunes also collects info from all its sync devices, then checks the iCloud and adds that too. The feature is supposed to improve your experience, but if you rather not, turn this off as well.

Why Does iTunes Take So Long To Turn-On In Mac PC

The main reason for this apparent flaw is that iTunes has accumulated a lot of unnecessary files. It has built so much information and deems it important to keeping updating it for you. In the iTunes defense, it is trying to help out. To eliminate the unjust long booting time, we have put together what to do on your PC.

Disable iTunes Automatic Download

Apple gadgets auto-saves across multiple devices as they sync. The feature is supposed to make it easier for you. You continuously have updated information on any device at any time. But it can be a nuisance sometimes as it stores temporary files and clogs up storage. There’s no need to stress about this as you can turn off the feature. Exciting or a few mixed feelings? You can turn it back on when you need it.

To turn it on

Settings > Music>Downloads> turn off Automatic Downloads

Furthermore, Go to the “iTunes preference” setting and click on the “Store icon.” You need to unstuck all the unnecessary files leaving a list of what you need. That is all!!

Disable The Auto-Sync Feature

The auto-sync causes the iTunes player to run at a slow pace. To reduce this, set the player to manual sync instead of automatic sync.

To turn off auto-sync.

  • Use a Wi-Fi connection or a USB cord to connect your computer to your phone.
  • Turn on the iTunes app on your computer and click on the device icon on the screen.
  • Click on the music content or other content you would want to turn off the auto-sync. Bear in mind that you can auto-save most content from the iCloud online storage, such as music, video, photo, etc.
  • Tick the box closest to “auto-sync” and pick only contents you wish to auto-save.
  • Repeat steps for each file you want to save.

We recommend you un-tick all content, so it doesn’t save any information for you. You can use manual sync. We know iTunes auto-sync with any connected device; computer phone, iPad, etc.

But to reduce backup information storage, you would turn the “ask each time” setting. It will need your permission to begin synchronization. To make your iTunes prompt you, follow these steps;

  1. Select “Summary” and un-Tick the “Automatic sync if [name of device]device is connected.”
  2. Ask permission to sync all devices; open the “Edit Preference” panel and select the “Devices” option. Click on the devices you own, and you no longer want the “auto-Sync” feature on them.
  3. Apply the new setting.

Now we have turned off the auto-sync feature, learn how to synchronize your content manually. It is crucial to add that you cannot manually add contacts or photos as these contents would be added by iTunes automatically. But information like movies, music, and videos can be manually synced.

Please follow the steps below to manually-synchronize your music/videos.

  • Use a Wi-Fi connection or USB cord to connect the phone to a PC 
  • Turn on the iTunes app on the PC and select music or videos.
  • Click on the library options, open “Download,” and select a file.
  • Pick the device you want to use and add the file to the device.
  • To reverse the process and remove a manually added file, select “My Device” and the file and delete.

Switch Off iTunes Genius

Genius is system-programmed to auto-run in the backgrounds. It gathers existing information in your iTunes library to enhance your experience. But it slows down the app. You can use the Genius feature such as; Genius Shuffle, Genius Playlist and Genius Mix. The iTunes player automatically saves information from Genius and tailors it to suit your tastes. But, all of these data can get bulky with time. You can turn off the Genius feature.

To turn off: Open the iTunes app, select the “File” option. Go to the iTunes library to turn off the Genius feature. It turns off all three genius add-on features.

You can use the same steps to turn it on when you want.

To turn on: Start the iTunes app>select menu>store>turn on Genius.

Disable Smart Playlist

You can assemble a Smart Playlist to suit your choice of songs based on genre. The Smart Playlist continually updates on your iTunes playlist. Of course, you guessed right; updates mean more music media to this list, thereby taking up more space.

Expansion of playlist reduces the space the iTunes player would need to run smoothly. It makes it slower than necessary. To get rid of this added feature, follow these steps.

Step 1: Open iTunes and locate the playlist.

Step 2: “Right-click” on the smart list, then select all and delete them.

Conclusion 

iTunes player can be slow in opening due to accumulated information. The different default settings result in multiple data stored. Auto Sync and download are culprits to this crime, yet they are auto-turned on to look out for your needs. Turn off any unnecessary background and automatic activity.