Top 6 Ways to Fix Apple Music Request Timeout Error

Both Android and iOS users face one or another difficulty with Apple’s native music streaming service. A common Apple Music issue specific to iOS devices is the ‘Request timed out’ error that occurs when users try to download or play a song. If you are struggling with this error, we have listed six (6) things you can do to eliminate this issue and enjoy uninterrupted music streaming.

Sometimes, simply closing and reopening the Apple Music app will work the magic and make the error go away. Re-enabling your device’s cellular data/Wi-Fi does the trick as the error is largely connection related. For some users, restarting the device fixed the issue. If the ‘Request timed out’ error persists after making the indicated fixes, move on to the other troubleshooting checks detailed below.

1. Check Router Configurations

For users encountering this error message only on a certain Wi-Fi network, we recommend that you examine the configurations of the router to check that Apple Music is not blocked or restricted. Streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, Apple Music etc) are sometimes blacklisted on some routers to control data usage. If you are sure that your devices are not blocked, check that your router configurations are optimized for uninterrupted performance on iOS devices. See this guide from Apple to see recommended Wi-Fi router settings for Mac and iOS devices.

If other devices are able to stream and download songs on Apple Music without the ‘Request timed out’ error, it may be your device. Try the next troubleshooting solution in this guide to get the error resolved.

2. Reactivate Apple Music

You can fix this problem by disabling Apple Music on your device and turning it back on. Close the Apple Music app on your device before continuing.

Stage 1: Launch your device’s Settings menu and select Music.

Step 2: Turn off the ‘Show Apple Music’ button. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on.

Disabling Apple Music does not mess with your Apple Music account, music library, playlists, or downloaded songs. You can continue playing songs in the app when Apple Music is disabled. The only noticeable difference is that the Browse and For You tab will be hidden when Apple Music is disabled.

If you still get the ‘Request timed out’ error after disabling and re-enabling Apple Music, try the next method.

3. Check Mobile Data Permissions

Many affected users have reported that this error mostly occurs when using Apple Music with cellular data on their device. To fix this, make sure Apple Music is configured to use cellular data on your phone. For iPhone and iPad users, here is how to check the Mobile Data configuration of Apple Music.

Stage 1: Launch your device’s Settings menu and select Music.

Step 2: Select Mobile Data.

Stage 3: Check that the Mobile Data option is enabled. Additionally, flick toggle for Streaming and Downloads options.

4. Disable Cellular Data for Apple Music

Some Apple Music users experiencing this issue have managed to get rid of the error message by disabling system-wide cellular data for the Apple Music app.

To do this, follow the steps below.

Stage 1: Launch your device’s Settings menu and select Mobile Data.

Step 2: Then scroll through the list of apps that have access to your device’s cellular data and turn off Music.

Stage 3: Now launch the Apple Music app. The app will ask you to turn on mobile data for Music in your device’s Settings menu. Then tap Settings to continue.

Step 4: Find the music and turn on Mobile Data usage for the app.

Restart the Apple Music app and you should no longer encounter the ‘Request timed out’ error.

5. Reset Network Settings

Since this error is largely due to connection issues, resetting your device’s network settings can help resolve the error. Check out this detailed guide to see how you can easily reset your iPhone/iPad’s network settings.

6. Install or Roll Back iOS Update

Some Apple Music users only noticed this issue after updating their device’s iOS to a new version. Indeed, the ‘Request timed out’ error could be due to an iOS related bug. If you are faced with a similar situation, there are two things you can do; Downgrade/roll back the iOS update or install it for a new error-free update (go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download & Install).

Blame Apple

Sometimes the error is due to Apple’s end. If the Apple Music server is down, you will most likely encounter errors that will cause the app to fail when you try to transfer or download songs. You can check the status of Apple Music in DownDetector. If it says the Apple Music server is down, you’ll have to wait for Apple to fix the problem on their side.

Next: Considering canceling your Apple Music subscription? See the linked article below to learn how to do this on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows.