Apple has launched a tool that lets iPhone users delete a free U2 album from their iTunes library, after an outcry from some users that the songs were unwanted and took up too much storage space on their devices.
The band’s first record in five years was made available as a free download following their performance at Apple’s product launch event in California last Tuesday (September 9).
The company has now launched a removal tool, meaning users can permanently delete the album if they do not want it on their account.
The webpage explains: “If you would like U2’s Songs of Innocence removed from your iTunes music library and iTunes purchases, you can choose to have it removed.
“Once the album has been removed from your account, it will no longer be available for you to redownload as a previous purchase.”
Songs of Innocence was downloaded by 2 million users between Tuesday and Friday last week.
The surprise release also sparked a surge of interest in the band’s previous albums.
View some of the disgruntled reactions on Twitter below:
Hi @tim_cook my iPhone has a virus called "U2" how do I uninstall it?
— Owen Williams (@ow) September 11, 2014
Can't wait for the U2 album to appear in my iTunes – shall I delete it all in one go, or track by track like eating a box of Ferrero Rocher?
— The Guyliner (@theguyliner) September 10, 2014
In other news, your ringtone has been changed to 'Beautiful Day' and Bono is now your friend on Facebook.
— Tom Bromley (@BromleyEsq) September 10, 2014
The working title of the new U2 album was songs to make my phone unable to take photos.
— Ross Noble (@realrossnoble) September 13, 2014