Apple Releases U2 Removal Tool

Apple has released a tool to remove U2’s 13^th studio album, Songs of Innocence, from iTunes users’ music library after the record was given away for free by the company to celebrate the launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus last week.

The album was given to users as a ‘gift’ but many users have been less than receptive, calling on Apple for ways to remove it from their devices and others questioning whether the unauthorised download was in fact malware.

Anyone who wants to remove the album from their library can do so with the one-click ‘SOI removal tool’, but Apple warns that after October 13, the record will no longer be a free download.

Apple U2 delete tool

“Once the album has been removed from your account, it will no longer be available for you to redownload as a previous purchase. If you later decide you want the album, you will need to get it again,” says the company.

Apple and U2 have worked together previously, most notably on the launch of a black and red special edition iPod, and lead singer Bono said the partnership was an ideal way for the band to reach more music fans – although he conceded not everyone would be receptive.

“Part of the DNA of this band has always been the desire to get our music to as many people as possible. In the next 24 hours, over a half a billion people are going to have Songs of Innocence…should they choose to check it out,” he said. “That is so exciting. People who haven’t heard our music, or weren’t remotely interested, might play us for the first time because we’re in their library.

“And for the people out there who have no interest in checking us out, look at it this way…the blood, sweat and tears of some Irish guys are in your junk mail.”

Bono also told U2’s official website that Apple had paid for the rights to distribute the album and said the two parties would collaborate on innovations that would “transform” the way people listen and view music.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are set to be released in the UK on Friday and users will have access to the free album while others will be safe in the knowledge they can delete it if they wish.

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