iOS devices do not sync music library after upgrade to macOS Ventura 13.1

Question

Level 1

8 points

iOS devices do not sync music library after upgrade to macOS Ventura 13.1

Just as the title says

After an upgrade for my MacBookAir (M1, end of 2020) from Monterey 12.6.2 to Ventura 13.1 my iOS devices (iPhone 13 mini and iPad 2021 both iOS 16.1.2) do not sync my local music library anymore. The sync process starts, the usual sync messages, but nothing is copied to the device. I don't have a Apple Music subscription, I only listen to my local music library.

Things I tried

reboot MacBook Air
restart IOS devices
disconnect the used AppleID from both macOS and iOS apps and reconnect with the same AppleID
remove iPhone and iPad from the list of known devices and reconnect

On both devices I see only the music buyed in the iTunes store but now my other "local" stuff

Any ideas whats going on?

MacBook Air 13″, 13.1

Posted on Dec 17, 2022 09:13 AM

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Answer 1

WinsC1

Community Specialist

Dec 19, 2022 03:04 PM in response to fillg1

Hey fillg1,

First, we'd recommend reviewing the information in this article as it provides information and requirements for syncing music from your Mac to iOS devices: Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod using your computer

As the issue is happening when trying to sync to two different devices, that indicates the issue is likely specific to the Mac. If you have any anti-virus or security software running on your Mac during the sync process, it may be interfering with that. We'd recommend temporarily disabling any security software during the sync process to see if that helps.

To narrow the issue down further, you may also want to test with your Mac in safe mode. This article explains how: How to use safe mode on your Mac

"How to use safe mode

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

Shut down your Mac.
Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”
Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.

Intel processor

Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.
You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window."

Thanks!

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Answer 2

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Jan 1, 2023 02:35 PM in response to fillg1

We’re sorry to hear fillg1, but we appreciate your coming back.

Since it doesn't like you tested in safe mode since you found solution, let’s give that a try now.

How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support -- Safe mode is a great tool to isolate issues and is known to fix certain problems as well. Restarting in safe mode may take a bit longer than usual since it prevents some software from loading and does a check of your startup disk. You may also see some graphic anomalies on your screen as well.

Once your Mac is in safe mode, see if you’re able to sync your music to your iPhone. Whether or not you can, restart normally to exit safe mode.

If you were able to sync successfully in safe mode, test the issue after a normal restart.

Please let us know the results when you're able.

All the best.

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Answer 3

fillg1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 1, 2023 09:54 AM in response to mario49

Sorry, the error appeared again after one week :-(

Both iPhone and iPad do not synchronize anymore, I restarted both macBook and IOS devices, no help.

Any ideas ?

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Answer 4

Feb 5, 2023 08:19 AM in response to fillg1

Same thing has happened to me. I have Mac Mini running Venutura 13.0 and my apple music is 1.3.0.138.

I can no longer sync. I have to reboot in safe mode and it works that way. Definitely not ideal.

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Answer 5

fillg1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 21, 2022 11:52 AM in response to WinsC1

Hi WinsC1

Thank for your help, I think my devices are syncing again

First of all, my itunes music library resides on a network file share, so I created a new macOS user and imported the music library. With this new user I was able to sync my devices again, both devices complained about syncing to a new music library, wiped out the localmusic files and sync the new one, so I rules out that the root cause of the problem are the devices. After this I logged in as my old user, removed the apple music preference file (~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Music.plist) and reimported the music library again, and sync is now working again with my old account and both devices.

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Answer 6

fillg1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 2, 2023 03:16 AM in response to SnickZ.

H SnickZ.

I tried both starting Apple Music only in safe mode and the complete MacBook as suggested, but no success.

On the iPhone I see the "Downloaded" playlist (my IPhone has a german UI and it is called "Geladen") with a number of ~ 6000 titles to download, I see that this number decreases, but suddenly it disappears. When I restart syncing, the missing files on the the iPhone are removed from my local music library playlists. Luckily my music library is on a network share, so I can simply rollback to a previous filesystem snapshot.

Are there any logs files etc. to check?

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Answer 7

fillg1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 5, 2023 11:48 AM in response to oxygenpony

I've have this problem after every reboot of the MacBookAir. I've to synchronize with a freshly created empty music library first and then sychronize with the original one. of course the apple music app complains that it has to remove all music from the iPhone. The second sync takes about 2-3 hours.

Next step will be a fresh install of the MacBookAir

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