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User profile for user: bb-35
bb-35 Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Music error "cannot decode, data might be damaged”

I have been getting the error message "cannot decode, data might be damaged” when listening to music on my iPhone X thru Apple Music. Its happened with 75+ songs so far over the past year. Its music that I own that I have copied from my personal music folder to iTunes and then transferred to my iPhone. I do not use Apple Music streaming service. I've listen to some songs several times on my iPhone and then out of nowhere I'll get the error message. I have to remove the song from my iPhone and then re-sync with iTunes. I have to manually skip the song in Apple Music to play the next song. Apple Music doesn't include the song in listening history so it can be nearly impossible to remember the songs which had an error. Any suggestions?

iPhone X

Posted on Dec 13, 2022 9:38 AM

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4 replies
User profile for user: destiny241
destiny241
User level: Community Specialist

Dec 15, 2022 11:40 AM in response to bb-35

Hello bb-35,


For an issue with error, 'Cannot decode' we'd recommend taking these steps to attempt to solve it:


  1. Restart your iPhone
  2. Update your iPhone or iPad
  3. Re-sync with the computer: Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod using your computer
  4. If unresolved, try to remove and then re-sync the content.


If the issue continues, please reply back to let us know. Should it continue, does it happen when you test creating a new iTunes/Music library? You can test this using a Mac by holding down the Option key when you launch the Music app, or on a PC by launching iTunes holding the Shift key. You can add free music or previously purchased music, then sync, to test this out.


Hoping to hear how it goes, take care.

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User profile for user: bb-35
bb-35 Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Dec 15, 2022 1:16 PM in response to destiny241

Thank you, but unfortunately step 4 is just a temporary solution. I can follow step 4 and then re-sync and that re-installs the song and I can listen to it. The main issue is that it continues to happen even with songs that I have previously listen to. If I'm driving and listening to the music on my iPhone via Bluetooth and song comes up with "cannot decode..." the song is skipped over. I can't remember which song had the issue by the time I get some. Any there is no indication which songs are corrupted when I view my music on my iphone via itunes. Again, this has happened to 75+ songs. Thank you

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Music error "cannot decode, data might be damaged”

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