Iphone music deleted my MP3 songs.

My new iphone 14 transfered all my music from old phone using the new phone set up process. The music workred for several weeks and then vanished from the phone, leaving purchased music but no personal MP3s. I am unable to reload my MP3s back onto the phone. I have a large collection of CDs that are ripped to MP3 and no longer useable on the phone.

Using win11 and Itunes to transfer to the phone, drag and drop shows the plus sign to add to the phone and then nothing happens for most songs.

How can I get the iphone to load my MP3 files back on?

iPhone 14

Posted on Apr 10, 2023 02:21 AM

Reply
9 replies

Apr 17, 2023 04:45 PM in response to Zom111

Hey there Zom111,


We'd like to help rule out some possible causes, along with learning more about what's happening:


  1. Sometimes unexpected behavior can be resolved with a restart: Restart your iPhone We also recommend restarting your Windows PC.
  2. We also recommend installing the latest version of iTunes installed on your Windows PC, along with the latest Microsoft updates available. This website shows the steps for downloading the latest version of iTunes near the top of this link: iTunes
  3. You mentioned this began after installing an update on your new iPhone 14, but which update was it, and is iOS 16.4.1 the version currently installed? You can find out under Settings > General > About. In case you needed it, this link shows how to first back up, then Update your iPhone or iPad.
  4. Do you sync other devices with iTunes, and if yes, do they also have the same issue where it looks like they completed syncing, but did not in fact put the songs back onto your iPhone?


Cheers!

Apr 17, 2023 08:03 AM in response to Zom111

Hi Zom111,


Thank you for letting us know more. We'd like to make sure you're able to access and enjoy your music, and want confirm some information to help move forward.


Just to confirm, have you received any errors when trying to sync music to your iPhone at this point? If so, what did the exact error say? That information will help us plan how to proceed.


If you are receiving error -54 when attempting to sync, please check out the information in this link, which explains how to try and resolve the issue: If you see error -54 when you sync with your computer


If you see error -54 when you sync with your computer

If your content doesn't sync, consolidate your iTunes Library files and check for issues with third-party security software.

When you try to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your computer, you might see an alert message that says:

"The iPhone [device name] cannot be synced. An unknown error occurred (-54)."

This can happen if a file on your computer or iOS or iPadOS device is locked. Click OK to continue the sync.

If your content doesn't sync, here's what to do:

* Restart your computer and your iOS or iPadOS device. 
* If you're using iTunes on macOS Mojave or earlier or on a PC, make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes and the latest software updates for your device

If you still see the issue, try the steps below.

1. Consolidate the media files in your computer
The media files in the Music app or iTunes library might be stored in several locations. Try consolidating your files into one library.
 
2. Check for issues with third-party security software
Some third-party software, including security software, can interfere with the sync process between your computer and your device. Change your security software's setupand see if it fixes the issue.
 
3. Sync a small amount of content
Sync only a small amount of content at a time. Add more content until you see the error again. By doing this, you'll identify the content that causes the issue.
 
4. Delete and re-download content
If the issue happens with content from the iTunes Store, delete and then redownload the apps and delete and then redownload music. Or, download the apps and download music directly to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
 
5. Delete and re-import content
If the content isn't from the iTunes Store, delete and then re-import it from the original source.
 
6. Remove PDF files from the sync process
This issue might happen when you try to transfer iTunes apps purchases or transfer iTunes music purchases from your iOS or iPadOS device to your computer. This might also happen when you try to sync with Apple Books, because it uses the same process. If so, there might be a problem with a PDF file saved to the Books app on your iOS device.

To fix the issue, use the Share option in the Books app on your device to email the PDF to yourself. This saves a copy of the PDF in your email account and shares it with the email address you choose, which can be accessed from your computer. Then, remove the PDF file from your device.


Thanks!

Apr 17, 2023 06:42 PM in response to bruno75

Hi bruno75


Phone and PC have been switched off and restarted several times, no change resulting from this.

Itunes version 12.12.8.2.

All Windows updates applied win 11, 22H2 build 22621.1555.

IOS version 16.4.1, and states IOS is up to date.

I do not sync any other devices with itunes, only this phone.

The phone had not been connected to the PC when it deleted the music.


Oct 18, 2023 06:57 PM in response to Zom111

I deleted Apple music from my iPhone14 Pro Max because I could not stand the bugginess. It also removed mp3 files I have had for 20 years as I was looking at them on the phone. I have since re-charged my old ipod touch, becuase it never has issues and is stuck on IOS 12.5.7. The phone is IOS 16.7.1. The error is gave was the song was not available in my region. WTF?

Apr 11, 2023 12:42 PM in response to Zom111

Hello Zom111,


When syncing your music, were you only using the computer or do you subscribe to Apple Music? The two don't work together, so we want to ensure only one is active at a time.


If you are using an Apple Music subscription and iCloud, then we'd recommend reviewing If songs are missing from your music library after you turn on Sync Library - Apple Support. That can help shed some light on the missing tracks.


If you don’t subscribe to Apple Music and use iTunes instead, instead of dragging and dropping the MP3s, sync them instead: Use iTunes to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer - Apple Support


Cheers!

Apr 17, 2023 02:31 AM in response to SnickZ.

Hi SnickZ


Thank you for the responce.

I do not subscribe to Apple Music or any other music service.

The phone was working correctly for several weeks after upgrading from iphone 8 to 14, and then deleted the MP3s after some sort of update. It now only has songs that I had purchased through itunes on the computer, 12 artists CDs and a few odd songs.

It does not matter how I use itunes to transfer the MP3s to the phone. It says it is syncing going through the normal steps, from preparing to sync and steps 1 to 4, but no MP3 will move to be visable on the phone.


It feels as though Apple is trying to force me to purchase the CDs again digitally from Apple to be able to listen to them. What else could explain that purchsed music has not been affected.


Is there an alternative app that is able to play my existing MP3s on the iphone 14 if I delete the non functioning music app? I do not want a streeming service as I have several hundred CDs already ripped to MP3.

Apr 17, 2023 03:25 PM in response to Brittany1416

Hi Brittany1416

There are and have been no error messages at any time.

My music just dissapeared and when trying to transfer back on to phone, the transfer appears to complete but no music appears on the phone, other that that which I purchased on itunes.

Makes no difference if trying for 1 individual song or album, or a large number of songs and albums.

The only difference I have observed in the hundreds of times I have tried different things for the transfer, is that sometimes it will stop at step 2 of the sync without progressing to step 3 and 4, no error or notification when this occurs, it just clears the sync progress box.

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Iphone music deleted my MP3 songs.

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