Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Empty Playlists after updating iTunes and iPhone

I never had smart playlist problems – until tonight. After updating iTunes to 9.0.3 and iPhone to 3.1.3, I now have some smart playlists that are totally empty. Is there a fix or workaround for this?

In fact, I deleted the first playlist that this happened with, then re-synced the iPhone, then recreated the playlist WITH A DIFFERENT NAME, and still the list is empty. Now I find that there is at least one other playlist without any content.

I've checked the rules of the playlists, and they work fine in iTunes and when the phone is connected to my Mac, it even shows content in those playlists when I look from iTunes to the phone. But on the phone, no content.

If anyone has an idea, I'll try it (unless it involves fire, hammers, or hydrochloric acid...)

Mac mini 2ghz 2GB 120GB HD (Uniblab), 16GB iPhone 3GS (Gus), Mac OS X (10.6.2), Ext 120gb media drive +400gb Time Machine HD 160gb Apple TV

Posted on Feb 3, 2010 2:49 AM

Reply
33 replies

Feb 3, 2010 3:49 PM in response to KonKrypton

Here's a workaround that was posted a long time ago about live updating:

Create a new playlist with a simple criteria : playlist is 'the empty playlist which does not seem to work' then sync your iPhone.

The old playlist will still appear empty, but the new playlist will have the songs ...
This will not enable live updating, but at least the songs are there.

Feb 4, 2010 10:04 PM in response to KonKrypton

Just updated Bug report with Apple. I gave them a device console log from the iPhone Config. Util. and the info that the "genre is..." and "live updating" bugs are the same bug. From the device log it looks like the newly added "nested criteria" playlist logic is flawed, but that's for folks at Apple to decide.

For now, I'll just turn off live updating. Though I may try using other criteria to see if there is a "magic bullet" that fixes the problem.

KK

Feb 11, 2010 1:04 PM in response to クトゥルフ

Thanks for the information all who shared. I also had the empty playlist problem related to genre smart playlists but turning off live updating solved the problem. Really appreciate that tip!

Follow up question: with live updating off, does that mean that adding music to that genre that you'd then like to appear in that list requires deleting and recreating that list?

Feb 12, 2010 6:13 AM in response to KonKrypton

here is my post on the same issue from another thread I created

STRANGE!!!
As you recommended, I created another (call it abc) playlist with same criteria as the original 20GB playlist, but limited the size to 2GB so I can see if it appears on my iphone.
Surprise.
IT DID NOT. BUT THE ORIGINAL PLAYLIST IS ON THE IPHONE.

So? I figured I'd remove abc. Which I did, and both playelists were gone from the iphone once again.

So as a bewildered customer, I went back and re-checked the abc smart playlist and synced.
abc is not on my iphone but the original playlist does appear.
As if abc playlist takes the bug off of the original playlist:)

Is this a solution? At best its a crude workaround.

THANKS A LOT ANYWAY. I can listen to my music on my iphone

Feb 12, 2010 11:16 AM in response to KonKrypton

I'm having the same problem with a smart playlist, but I'm also experiencing an empty playlist with a regular playlist. I understand the problems with the smart playlist, but I'm wondering why a regular playlist appears empty on my iPhone. One thing that might be an issue is that this is the first time I've tried to upload this particular (regular) playlist on my iPhone. Any suggestions?

Empty Playlists after updating iTunes and iPhone

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