Apple Opens iTunes Match Settings to Non-developers

Apple quietly added its iTunes Match service settings to iOS 5 on Thursday, giving non-developers a chance to start setting up their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to take advantage of the feature. Although users can activate iTunes Match, subscriptions to the service aren’t yet available to the public.

iOS 5 users can access the iTunes Match settings by tapping Settings > Music.

iTunes Match settingsiTunes Match settings are available now in iOS 5

iTunes Match is part of Apple’s iCloud service, and it allows users to match music in their local library not purchased from iTunes to Apple’s own servers, and then access that content from any device with their iTunes credentials. The service costs US$24.99 a year.

Apple opened the iTunes Match beta to developers in August as part of the iOS 5 and iCloud beta test phase. Apple didn’t, however, launch iTunes Match on October 12 when it released iOS 5 to the public.

With the iTunes Match settings option appearing in iOS 5 now, however, it’s likely that an official public launch is coming soon.