Apple rumored to be ditching music downloads - going streaming-only by 2019

Sources close to the matter have suggested to Digital Music News that Apple intends to phase out music downloads by 2019.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the company plans on transitioning to a streaming-only service for its music library. With Apple already offering a streaming service in the form of Apple Music, the groundwork has already been laid for the transition to take place.

The source goes on to say that the company has plans to migrate its users' iTunes download collections to Apple Music accounts, although one source confirmed that users will always have access to music they've already purchased.

Without official confirmation from Apple this is just a rumor, but the move would certainly make sense.

The end of downloads?

Although the rise of hi-res music means that downloads will likely always have a place for people who care about music fidelity at all costs, downloads are declining in mainstream popularity.

Research from the IFPI, a not-for-profit organisation representing the music industry, suggests that while revenues from music streaming increased by 60.4% in 2016, revenue from downloads reduced by 20.5%.

It would hence make sense for Apple to leave music downloads behind. Earlier this year the company discontinued the iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano lines, with only the streaming-capable iPod Touch left in the lineup.

The iPod Touch, along with the iPhone, is still able to play music stored locally in addition to streaming music.

Apple is a mainstream company, and as such it's not surprising that it would move away from downloads just as the masses have done over the past few years. Whether the company has a chance of unseating market leader Spotify, which has established itself as the de facto music streaming provider, however, is another story.

Then again, we'd by lying if we said that we weren't a little sad to see Apple ditch the downloads, after being the ones to legitimise the format back in the early noughties.

As of going to press, Apple has not responded to our request for comment.