Edit a release that's already live
What you can still change on a release after it's delivered, what our team can redeliver to the stores, and what needs a new release with new codes.
Updated
Once a release is approved, it’s locked: the stores have what you approved, and the editor shows It can’t be edited while it’s in review or live. This page explains what you can still change yourself, what our team can send to the stores again, and when a release has to go out as a new one.
What you can still change yourself
Some parts of a release stay open after delivery:
- The editorial pitch, marketing plan and links on the Marketing tab, until the release date. See Pitch your release to editors.
- Smart links and pre-saves, at any time. See Smart links and pre-save.
- A Dolby Atmos version or a music video, which are releases of their own. See Release a Dolby Atmos version and Release a music video.
When a store asks for a fix
If a store refuses the release or asks for a change, the release shows Needs attention and its page says what the store asked for.
- Open the release and choose Fix and resend. It reopens with Changes requested.
- Make the change.
- Choose Resubmit. Once it’s approved again, the stores get the fix.
Stores that already have the release keep it live while you fix it.
Any other change
To change something on a live release when no store has asked for it, write to us from Live support: the release, what’s wrong and what it should be. Our team checks what the stores accept and tells you which of these applies.
| Change | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| A typo, a missing or wrong credit, a genre | Often corrected and redelivered to the stores. The release stays live with its streams. |
| The audio of a track | Can’t be swapped on a live release. A new release with the new master. |
| The primary artist | Usually a new release, since stores file the release under the artist. |
| A UPC or an ISRC | Codes are locked once delivered. A new release with new codes. |
| Countries or tracks to remove | A partial takedown: the rest stays live. |
Stores apply redeliveries on their own schedule, so a correction can take a few days to show everywhere.
Remove countries or tracks
On the release’s page, choose Request a change, then Remove some countries or tracks. Pick the tracks or countries, say why, and choose Send request. HILLS Music reviews every request before anything changes in the stores. See Takedowns and redeliveries.
When it has to be a new release
A new release has its own UPC and starts from zero in the stores: streams, playlist placements and history stay with the old one. Agree with us when the old one should come down, so the music isn’t missing from the stores in between. To prepare it quickly, open the old release, choose Duplicate from its menu, and fix what was wrong in the new draft. Duplicate copies the details, artists and stores, and the track list if you ask, but never the codes, audio or artwork.
To avoid all this, check the Review tab carefully before you submit: what you approve is what the stores get.
Common questions
- Can I change the title or a credit on a live release?
- Not in the editor: a live release is locked. Ask us from Live support with what should change. We tell you whether it can be redelivered to the stores or needs a new release.
- Can I change a release's UPC or a track's ISRC after delivery?
- No. Once a UPC or ISRC has been delivered, or assigned by HILLS Music, it can't change. If the codes have to change, the release goes out again as a new release with new codes.
- Do I lose my streams if a release has to be re-released?
- A new release starts from zero in the stores: streams, playlist placements and history stay with the old one. That's why we try a redelivery first whenever the stores allow it.
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