Why do my album covers change on my phone when imported from iTunes?

Found an issue with the music on my phone (iPhone 13, replaced this past fall) - missing most of the tracks on a lot albums. I had to replace my laptop about the same time, spending weeks getting it corrected, and didn't realize that my iTunes had no music. Seems because my music are my cd's ripped into my computer and not purchased nor downloaded, that iTunes would not sync between the old and new laptop. Spent the last 4 days updating, replacing massive amount of missing tracks (iTunes tends put "track 1", never with any info, into it's own album on about half of the albums or just not even including it), getting album artwork correct per album. I really want the artwork so when driving, I can just look at the cover to pick the next album. (I try to not to do this but sometimes it happens.) I finally synced the corrected iTunes to my phone. Yes, everything was updated prior to the sync. There are barely any correct album covers! This has been an ongoing issue but since I know that iTunes is correct, and this it the first time this phone has been physically synced to iTunes, I did not expect issues. Needless to say, I am so peeved. It seems to be a constant issue. I'll probably be deleted every album with an incorrect cover at this point. Does anyone have any idea why this happens? Is there something I'm doing incorrect when syncing? I check mark each individual album and nothing else. I'm soon going to be back to using cd's in my car. Thanks to everyone.

Posted on Dec 26, 2022 09:50 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 27, 2022 02:07 PM

Basically, Apple Music uses an algorithm to check which tracks/albums you have synced to your iPhone. When it finds a match in its own database, it will update the artwork of your album/track (stored locally on your iPhone). For any albums/tracks not found within the Apple Music’s database, artwork remains untouched. The only workaround I’ve found is by toggling the switch to ‘off’ for Sync Library on your iPhone (Settings>Music>Library: Sync Library >Off). Also, toggle ‘Music’ off in iCloud on iPhone (possibly on Mac aswell, if enabled). The only thing is, if you have an Apple Music subscription then by turning these settings off you will lose the ability to SAVE streamed music to your phone for offline playback and you won’t be able to add streamed music to playlists. Hope this helps.

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 27, 2022 02:07 PM in response to MZDiehl

Basically, Apple Music uses an algorithm to check which tracks/albums you have synced to your iPhone. When it finds a match in its own database, it will update the artwork of your album/track (stored locally on your iPhone). For any albums/tracks not found within the Apple Music’s database, artwork remains untouched. The only workaround I’ve found is by toggling the switch to ‘off’ for Sync Library on your iPhone (Settings>Music>Library: Sync Library >Off). Also, toggle ‘Music’ off in iCloud on iPhone (possibly on Mac aswell, if enabled). The only thing is, if you have an Apple Music subscription then by turning these settings off you will lose the ability to SAVE streamed music to your phone for offline playback and you won’t be able to add streamed music to playlists. Hope this helps.

Dec 27, 2022 06:31 PM in response to Porl77

Sounds simple enough for me to do but I have can't find any Library setting in Music with a Sync Library option. You specify Phone, so I assume that does not mean in iTunes. I can't find any Music option in my iCloud account. Went to settings, scrolled down to Music (is there another place that I've missed?) and opened. I see "Allow music to access" across the top, then Apple Music, don't use. The only thing under a light gray Library is "Show all purchases". Options are on/off. Audio & Animated are round out the options. I don't have any Apple subscription, I don't stream music, have no purchased music, so there really isn't anything for me to lose. I have the incorrect artwork - not an updated versions - on 65 albums. Such as "West Side Story" on a Rod Stewart. Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Letters from the Labyrinth on a Ray Stevens - that's a huge difference in music! At least the TSO cover on a Queen album is in the same genre, or close to it. Going thru them again, there are a couple with not only the wrong artwork but the title of the album isn't even correct. Would I be better to delete, then go back and sync each album individually? Or is there a more user friendly app? I am so over fighting with iTunes. No one else seems to have this many problems with iTunes/iPhone and music other than me. Thanks.


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Why do my album covers change on my phone when imported from iTunes?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.