Apple Music resets playlist settings every time after closing application

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Apple Music resets playlist settings every time after closing application

This issue has persisted ever since I made the switch from Apple Intel to Apple Silicon (however I am not sure if this is the issue, noticed the issue back when M2 came out).

Every time I finish setting up my playlist (and the order it is played at), it resets as soon as I close the application or reboot my Mac.

Specifically, I like to set my music playlist by (View > by Songs), then on the column, I like to set "Album by Artist/Year". However, when I set it to "Album by Artist/Year", it only retains the settings for that duration (it resets to just "Album" after restarting Apple Music).

Also, even if the settings are set correctly ("Album by Artist/Year" on Mac), when I sync the playlist + songs onto my iPhone, it syncs it in the incorrect order (just by Album instead of "Album by Artist/Year").

I tried numerous methods, even went as far as reformatting the entire Mac while it was new.

Also tried a few methods on 9to5mac forums, etc. Nothing has worked thus far.

I have also asked Apple Support about the issue; tried their workarounds (including boot in safe mode, etc.), and still nothing has changed.

I am reintroducing this issue again since there still is no work-around, or patch fixes. I already keep up-to-date on my Mac and its currently in MacOS Ventura 13.1.

If anyone has any additional suggestions, please help.

Posted on Jan 23, 2023 05:50 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

277,717 points

Jan 24, 2023 01:48 PM in response to YangSenri

Where is the library being saved? Do you have any third party security software? Right-click on the Music Library.musiclibrary package, use show package contents, and check for hidden .tmp files inside. Have you tried holding down option+cmd as you launch Music? This may run some internal consistency checks, which could potentially help. You can also try hold option as you launch Music and reselected your library to ensure it really is opening that file and not some cached copy that it doesn't update.

tt2

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Answer 2

YangSenri Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 8, 2023 02:20 AM in response to turingtest2

Hi, tested on completely empty Apple Music, tried sync in... but still music resets to [Sort by Album] every restart.

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Answer 3

YangSenri Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 26, 2023 08:34 PM in response to turingtest2

Hi, checked the folders you mentioned.

To answer your questions:

1.Where is the library being saved? Under (Music > Media > Music)

2.Do you have any third party security software? None, all apps are via App Store / none linked to Apple Music.

3.Right-click on the Music Library.musiclibrary package, use show package contents, and check for hidden .tmp files inside. Checked hidden files, no hidden .tmp files, but there is an unknown sentinel file

4.Have you tried holding down option+cmd as you launch Music? Yes, launched it in safe mode both times, once with option+cmd and once booted Macbook via Safe mode.

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

277,717 points

Jan 27, 2023 04:23 AM in response to YangSenri

The sentinel file is expected to be there, I think it is essentially flag that is set during database updates and cleared afterwards. If it is in the wrong state when Music launches Music should do some integrity checking on the database.

I don't know why your preferred sort option won't stick in Music, but having made the choice try right-clicking on the playlist name and choosing Copy to Play Order. This is the order that should then sync to your device.

tt2

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Answer 5

YangSenri Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 27, 2023 06:49 AM in response to turingtest2

its one of the first things I tried. The issue is… remember where I mentioned Apple Music resets all playlist to “Sort by album” when I restart the application, I manually reset each playlist back to “Sort by Album by Artist/Year”. And even if I sync or sync after right-click + choose Copy to play order, the order appears on my iPhone as “Sort by Album”.

I think the issue is with Apple Music inability to save preference. Because if My Apple Music can still add music, add new playlists, just in wrong order. Then it should be a problem with either the MacBook itself, Apple Music, but not an issue with syncing/iPhone. Like I mentioned before, this didn’t happen with my previous MacBook Air 2014.

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Answer 6

turingtest2

Level 10

277,717 points

Jan 27, 2023 09:48 AM in response to YangSenri

Update to Ventura 13.2 if you haven't already done so. I wonder if it is stuck in iCloud Music Library, so resets when you relaunch Music. Try sorting the way you want, then copy to play order, then update Cloud Music Library.

tt2

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Answer 7

YangSenri Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 27, 2023 06:35 PM in response to turingtest2

Hello, updated to Ventura 13.2, I checked the iCloud Music Library part. Tried sorting it again, and updating Cloud Music Library. However... The issue still persists.

A side note... A part of my music is still from old burned CD disks, so not sure if it links to iCloud Music Library. And another thing is, if iCloud Music Library isn't syncing, I shouldn't be able to add new music or new playlists either....

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Answer 8

YangSenri Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 26, 2023 08:35 PM in response to YangSenri

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Answer 9

turingtest2

Level 10

277,717 points

Feb 2, 2023 05:00 PM in response to YangSenri

You could test behaviour in a new empty library that you then enable Sync Library in. Failing that it might be time to reach out to Official Apple Support.

tt2

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Apple Music resets playlist settings every time after closing application

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