iTunes won't sync compilation albums with iPhone

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Level 1

8 points

iTunes won't sync compilation albums with iPhone

Hello all,
I searched the forum for this issue, but couldn't find the exact case.

I have several albums in my iTunes library, some of which are _compilation albums_. I cannot sync them to my iPhone 3Gs. In the sync menu, it gives me the options for Playlists, Artists and Genres to sync but no Albums. Therefore, +I cannot see my compilation albums+ at the Music Sync tab.

I know that I can create playlists, containing the songs from that album and sync those playlists, but I don't want to have dummy playlists on my Mac and I want to see them as separate original albums with album artworks on my iPhone.

How do I overcome this issue?

Best wishes,
Onur.

iPhone 3gs, iPhone OS 3.1, iTunes 9

Posted on Jan 10, 2010 9:38 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 10, 2010 10:49 AM in response to Onur

Set Album Artist to Various Artists and include that. BTW your iPhone needs a common album artist to keep the compilations grouped.

tt2

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Answer 2

Onur Author

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8 points

Jan 10, 2010 11:12 AM in response to turingtest2

And I won't be able to see the 'artists' of those songs anymore neither on my iPhone and in my iTunes, right?

Thank you for the input.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 10, 2010 1:20 PM in response to Onur

No, you can still see the artists in the Artists menu, but you'll just get one cover in Albums & Cover Flow.

tt2

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Answer 4

Onur Author

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Jan 10, 2010 1:52 PM in response to turingtest2

Thank you, I will try that.

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Answer 5

mr. bump

Level 1

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Jan 19, 2010 4:06 PM in response to Onur

Hello there - I would like to add a query to the original question.

Lets say I have five albums in itunes by the rolling stones. If I check to sync the rolling stones unde "artists", it will sync all five albums - but if i only want one of those albums on my iphone, is there any way to do this other than creating a seperate playlist for that album? it seems like a long way round ... and a pain ...

why cant i just check the album i want to sync - or am i missing something?

thanks

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Answer 6

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 19, 2010 11:06 PM in response to mr. bump

You just need one playlist into which you put all albums/tracks you want synced, or at least those extra ones that that you can't sync using the Artist & Genres selection boxes. Prior to iTunes 9 everything had to be managed through playlists and it worked well enough. In fact I've yet to find a use for those boxes since they're only available when my iPhone is connected. I'm used to organising my selections "offline" using playlists that are synced whenever I connect.

tt2

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Answer 7

Onur Author

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Jan 21, 2010 12:14 AM in response to Onur

I set the Album Artist to Various Artists and still not see the Album/AlbumArtist among the Music to sync with the iPhone.

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Answer 8

Onur Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 21, 2010 12:16 AM in response to Onur

Hi Again!
I set the 'Album Artist' field to a common name (tried both 'Various Artists' and another word that I chose) and still can't see those music among the ones to sync. 😟

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Answer 9

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 21, 2010 3:58 AM in response to Onur

OK, I've confimred your earlier observation that Compilation tracks just don't show up in that section. I must have some rouge tracks where the Album Artist is "Various Artists", "Original Cast" etc. but the compilation flag isn't set. I can see two possible approaches other than using playlists. First, just remove the compilation flag. Provided the album artist is set this will keep the album together in iTunes and the iPhone makes no use of the flag anyway. Alternatively give the particular albums you want a different genre, e.g. change "Comedy" to "Comedy +" and sync via the Genres section.

tt2

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Answer 10

Onur Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 8, 2010 3:35 PM in response to turingtest2

Hi!

I cleared the Compilations Flag and the album appeared in the Artists section by the given Album Artist's name. Thank you for the help.

Best,
Onur.

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