Level 1

9 points

Macbook refusing to transfer music to iphone

This is now driving me insane. I have stored my music on an additional drive for years, should I wish to change music on my phone (Iphone 14), I hook up the drive and go. Tried to do this a couple of days ago, the sync failed and almost all my music disappeared from my phone. Been trying to rectify ever since and it just refuses to do it.

I've bought a new drive in case the old one was corrupted but that hasn't helped. Both my device and my mac (Macbook Air 2020) are signed in to my account on Apple. Have hard reset both of them. Still nothing. Tried moving through finder and drop and dragging in Music. Tried wireless and through USB. Am having no other problems with either device.

Been trying to resolve this for days now, turning off cloud library, joining apple music, all sorts. The few files that had transferred have now disappeared after deleting music and re installing. never had any problems like this with itunes.

Completely out of ideas. Can anyone help?

[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 14

Posted on Jul 20, 2025 1:10 PM

Top-ranking reply

turingtest2

Level 10

277,961 points

Posted on Jul 21, 2025 6:24 AM

This is the method you should use when you do not have a subscription to Apple Music or iTunes Match: Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your Mac - Apple Support. It uses Finder rather than the Music app, although it connects to your active Music library. I would recommend syncing with selected playlists (or all of them) rather than manual management.

If/when you have a subscription to either Apple Music or iTunes Match you would typically enable Sync Library (aka iCloud Music Library) in both your computer and your device so that all content is added to a cloud library that syncs automatically between devices. You can check the iCloud Status column in the songs view of the library to look for items with issues, e.g. waiting, error, etc. If you have those post back and we can discuss how to resolve.

tt2

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21 replies

rattleheaduk Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 22, 2025 9:54 AM in response to turingtest2

Changing integer values is way above my pay grade, sorry.

Checking the expected location of the tracks:

Each of the three additional 'Music' locations aren't showing as folders. Confused as to what they are or how to create them?

rattleheaduk Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 24, 2025 12:07 PM in response to turingtest2

No, it's still refusing to locate any of the hidden files, same problem as reported previously.

The script thing is far too advanced for me I'm afraid, I'm not even remotely capable of doing that, don't fully understand the instructions tbh. Still confused as to what my mac is expecting other than folders, what those files are in the address.

Is there any way I can just reset the music app and start again? I notice it's been removed from the app store.

rattleheaduk Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 23, 2025 12:15 PM in response to turingtest2

Any chance of some further hep with this please?

Cheers

rattleheaduk Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 23, 2025 1:01 PM in response to turingtest2

Is this what you need:

I can't find a method of seeing what those additional 'Music' file types are I'm afraid.

rattleheaduk Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 23, 2025 2:21 PM in response to turingtest2

I have noticed that the default location sometimes resets if I close the Music app but doesn't do it every time.

rattleheaduk Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 24, 2025 11:28 AM in response to rattleheaduk

Is this enough information?

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Macbook refusing to transfer music to iphone