Iphone 4 syncing music but not showing on phone

I too am experiencing this issue.
iPhone 4, with iOS version showing as 4.2.8 within my "About" screen on the phone.

Running iTunes v.10.2.2.14, on a Windows 7-based PC.
(if further system-specific specs are needed for diagnosis, please advise)

Problem Specifics: Music syncs to my phone fine. I then use the Disconnect right-click option from within iTunes, before unplugging the USB cable. Once I open iPod however, I see nothing but a list of Genres. To be more clear: I sorted all my music in two fashions originally on my PC; Filename and Genre. Each MP3 in my collection was tagged by hand, by me, to properly include the song name, and proper Genre. I did this before ever attempting to copy this music onto my iPhone

Available Workaround(s): As others here have stated, if I bypass the iPod app completely, and use the Search feature, all my music can be found and played. Also, if I use the "Songs" option from within iPod, can I get a A-to-Z listing of all music on my iPhone, and can play all songs.

Problem Summary: The core issue for me is my entire music collection is invisible, via the Artist, Genre, Playlist, and Composers sections - can't even get a single song to show.

Any further suggestions on how to fix this, or is this a software/OS issue that Apple needs to release a patch to resolve?

--DKnight2066

UPDATE: I finally solved my missing music issue, permanently.

I deleted and imported my entire music collection, both on my PC and on my iPhone itself. I also tried a trick posted elsewhere: Change my language to something non-english, open iPod after it tries to load my library, then revert back to english. Still no effect.

I then hit upon the solution: You *must* have data in the "Genre" and "Artist" fields for any mp3 you wish to properly show on your iPhone 4, on the iOS version I listed in my original post.

I edited 5 mp3s, all within the same Genre, in my iTunes Library on my PC. I then deleted the identical files on my iPhone, so there could be no chance at iTunes skipping over copying them for some obscure reason. I synced one last time, and all 5 of the mp3s in my test batch showed, in the proper Genre, via the Genre/Artist menu, on my iPhone.

One last note: I highly recommend using some kind of auto tagging program to properly tag your mp3s in the fields required *before* you even import them into iTunes. Once there, you have to edit them there, or wipe your library...again...and start over. Very frustrating and time consuming.

Hopefully my trial and error here will help at least one other person out there. I'd hate to think of anyone else having to sort out this mess.

--DKnight2066

how did you fix it???

I have EXACT same problem. So I did a lot of "google-ing" to solve this issue and find out tons of people have a bloody same thing. What disappoint the most is there is no such solution from APPLE. And if you want to ask them personally, you have to buy their Apple Care....What a...???

Hoping so much that Apple will solve this problem very soon.

P.s. If Apple continue to be like this, I think I better learn a bit more of computer and use PC 😝

Just registered here to answer this for y'all since I had it when updating to iOS5 today...

Just open itunes on your computer, check to sync something that is unmarked (genre, artist, whatever), sync. Now open music on your iPhone. Bam.

Now just uncheck whatever you checked before. Sync. Bam.

Hope that makes sense 🙂

Thanks for the helpful suggestion there Nick! I just did this too this very minute and it's worked a treat:) I had home sharing on, but turned it off and was frustrated to find my music would disappear but really be there? on my iphone. So I did what you did and bam!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I have been so frustrated!!!! This worked for me! I just updated to IOS 5 and lost my music two days ago!! Driving me crazy! Don't know how you figured this out- but genius!!!

Just power down the phone and restart it. It happended on my wifes phone as well as my own. As soon as you restart the phone the music appears

Wow, lots of people having issues with this. i have a 4s , OS5 and had the same problem today. now it worls fine, heres what i did...

After syncing i unpluged my iphone, looked and found no music 😟 tried again a couple of time. no joy.

I asked Siri what the problem was

"I don't understand" was his reply

Then i went and had a cup of tea. this is an importanet step.

Feeling refreshed i pushed and held the phones power button to switch it off.

I switched it back on and Hurrah, all music in place and all working as if there was never a problem.

Then i had another cup of tea, this time with music.

I even had a biscuit, with much mirth.

Hope it works ok for you all too.

So I had this problem a couple months ago and figured out the solution. Until recently it happened to me again and unfortunately i forget the solution. But i was going through settings and found out what had worked before. So What you need to do is select every song in your itunes library. Right click and click get info, Next go to options and where it says part of compilation left click once and it should give you the option of yes or no. Mine said no, but you need to reselect no so that there is a check next to the compilation setting. Click done and resync your iPhone. For some reason the iPhone has a problem displaying compilations unless searched for. Hope this helps and good luck!