Microsoft Retires Zune
As of November 15, 2015, Microsoft's Zune services will be retired, meaning that you will no longer be able to stream or download content to your device from the Zune music service. However, Zune devices will still function as music players and any MP3 content that you own on the Zune device will remain there. You’ll also be able to transfer music to and from your Zune player.
As a note, content that was purchased with DRM may not play if the license can’t be renewed.
Existing Zune Music Pass subscriptions will be converted to Groove Music Pass subscriptions - the new version of both the Zune Music Pass and the Xbox Music Pass. The differences with the Groove Music Pass are:
- Groove comes with all new features and can be used across all your Groove-enabled devices (including Windows 10, Xbox One, Xbox 360, iOS, Android, Sonos, and through a web browser on your PC).
- While there are no more free tracks to download, you’ll have access to more than 40 million songs in the Groove catalog.
Note that not all content is available in all countries/regions.
You can also store music on OneDrive and access that music from all your Groove-enabled devices. Groove is $9.99 per month or $99.90 per year.
If you have a Zune Music Pass subscription with 10 free tracks per month, your Zune Music Pass will be migrated to a Groove Music Pass between October 15 and November 15, 2015. How that happens depends on what kind of subscription you have:
- Monthly subscribers will be automatically converted upon the next renewal date at the new rate of $9.99 per month.
- 3-month pass subscribers will be converted to a monthly pass during the time frame at the new rate of $9.99 per month. If you cancel your Zune Music Pass before your three months are up, you may be eligible for a partial refund.
- Annual subscribers will be converted to an annual Groove Music Pass at the new rate of $99.90 per year and your yearly cycle will begin fresh with the new Music Pass. If you cancel your Zune Music Pass before your year is up, you may be eligible for a partial refund.
If you’d like to cancel, you can do so through your Microsoft account. Monthly subscriptions will terminate at the end of the current paid period, while 3-month and annual subscribers will have their subscriptions terminated between October 15 and November 15. If there is time left on your subscription, you may be eligible for a refund.
If the migration to Groove terminates your Zune subscription before the end of your annual or 3-month Zune subscription, you may be eligible for a refund. Refunds will be credited to the payment option associated with your Microsoft account. If you don't have a payment option associated with your account, the amount of the refund will be credited to your Microsoft account and available for future purchases on the Microsoft Store.