Kirk McElhearn shows you how to re-enable the star ratings in the Music app (Settings > Music > Show Star Ratings) and how to actual rate your songs (which is more complicated than it used to be).
This change just appeared on the just-released beta of iOS 10.2.
Some people just stick to the past. Local library is useful. I still maintain one just for listening in my home with Remote app. But to demand everything should work great with local library nowadays in the age of Cloud library is just silly. Cloud library only needs Like and Unlike so no wonder things like Star rating will be after thought.
While not as good as previous versions, I appreciate the olive branch here. I’ve been an iTunes Match user since it came out, and a huge reason why is keeping my library’s playlists synced. And a binary rating barely works with truly smart Smart Playlists: Like and Unlike forces black and white options in a world of color.
I’m not sure why Apple neutered this to begin with, but I’m glad it’s back – even if it is convoluted.
Thanks for the heads up, Dave.
Sorry Apple, Music/iTunes is a mess for me.
Wish they’d bring this back to photos. In my mind, going to a “heart or not-heart” binary system was a giant step in the wrong direction.
iTunes is mediocre only if you want to listen to random music and if you have well designed playlists. Try to create or add multiple songs to a playlist is pretty much become like the rest of their app, a dumpster fire. It took me 10 minutes to create a 10-song playlist this weekend.