[BUG] Apple Music: playing a lossless track doesn't update the play count or last played metadata

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[BUG] Apple Music: playing a lossless track doesn't update the play count or last played metadata

When I play a lossless track it doesn't update the last played metadata for the track. The play count also isn't updated.

This is happening in Apple Music 1.1.5.74 (Mac)

This is easily reproduced:

enable lossless audio in settings
add a lossless track to your library e.g. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/same-mistake-barn-live-session-2011/1528212279?i=1528212425
play the song until the end
check the last played date

Posted on Jul 21, 2021 8:02 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

ed2345

Level 9

62,558 points

Jul 22, 2021 9:11 AM in response to jk_25

Hello JK,

Your and abb1960's data points confirm that the problem can occur even when playing thru local speakers. In fact looking at the big thread about missing play counts over Airplay, some posters also mention seeing it with the local speakers too:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252821700

I don't know what Apple might be doing on the issue. However, you may want to contact Apple Support:

Get Support

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Answer 2

jk_25 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 22, 2021 9:48 AM in response to jk_25

I just noticed that MacOS 11.5 released today has this in the changelist:

This release also fixes the following issues:

• Music may not update play count and last played date in your library

It might be fixed now so I'll give it a try and will report back

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Answer 3

ed2345

Level 9

62,558 points

Jul 21, 2021 6:26 PM in response to jk_25

JK,

See if you get the same behavior when playing thru the built-in speakers on your Mac. There have been many reports on this Forum about failure to update play counts when streaming to Home Pods or AirPlay, but not about lossless in general.

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Answer 4

jk_25 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 22, 2021 2:04 AM in response to ed2345

I've just tried following the exact same steps using the Macbook's internal speakers and can still see the same problem.

It would be good if you could try the reproduction steps to see if it happens to you as well.

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Answer 5

jk_25 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 22, 2021 6:58 AM in response to ed2345

Hi Ed,

Yep, I've disconnected the DAC and switched to the Macbook's internal speakers and restarted so I can confirm that it doesn't have anything to do with having a separate output device. This issue happens on every lossless track I've tried.

It'll be great if someone else can try out the reproduction steps to confirm that it's not just my machine

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Answer 6

abb1960

Level 1

9 points

Jul 22, 2021 7:54 AM in response to jk_25

I'm having this same issue. Whether I download the track or just stream it, when played from the Music App on my MacBook, it does not update. However, when I play a lossless track from my phone, or Apple TV, it updates the Play Count and Last Played Metadata.

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Answer 7

jk_25 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 22, 2021 11:12 AM in response to jk_25

Yep, macOS 11.5 and Apple Music 1.1.6.32 fixed this problem for me

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Answer 8

jk_25 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 22, 2021 1:04 AM in response to ed2345

I get this behaviour playing through my speakers plugged into a USB DAC that is connected to my Mac

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Answer 9

ed2345

Level 9

62,558 points

Jul 22, 2021 6:44 AM in response to jk_25

JK,

Just to isolate the problem, disconnect the DAC, put settings back to "normal," and restart your Mac. Download some new lossless track and see if the problem persists.

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Answer 10

ed2345

Level 9

62,558 points

Jul 22, 2021 5:42 PM in response to jk_25

JK,

Excellent!

Now just a few weeks of re-listening to stuff that we just listened to while Music was not updating Last Played, and then we'll be back to normal. :-)

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[BUG] Apple Music: playing a lossless track doesn't update the play count or last played metadata

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