Can't connect to Mac music library from iphone - Music icon is gray

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Level 1

29 points

Can't connect to Mac music library from iphone - Music icon is gray

I have tried to setup my iphone for Remote to control my Mac's music library. All software is up to date, Home Sharing is on everywhere and using the same wireless network. I get as far as "add a media library" and entering the four digit number in Mac music app but the Music icon on my phone remains gray and I can't connect. When I follow the exact same procedure on my ipad, it works with no problems. My phone is locked down medium tight but I've opened up every setting I can think of and it still doesn't work. I've reinstalled Remote on my iphone and told the Mac Music app to forget all remotes but still no luck.

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 16

Posted on May 6, 2023 9:53 AM

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Answer 1

bruno75

Community Specialist

May 9, 2023 5:59 PM in response to aleatoory

Hey there aleatoory,

We'd like to help by learning more about what's happening, along with ruling out some possible causes:

The first thing we wanted to share was a link that shows how to set up the ITunes Remote app to control music on your Mac from your iPhone: Set up the iTunes Remote app for Music on Mac Are these the steps you mentioned already trying, and if yes, do any error messages show at all after trying those steps?
While you mentioned having no issues setting this up on your iPad, was there a time where it worked with your iPhone? If yes, please let us know when this issue first began to occur.
We see you have iOS 16 installed, but the latest version is iOS 16.4.1(a). You can verify this within Settings > General > About. In case you needed it, this link shows how to first back up, then Update your iPhone or iPad.

Cheers!

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Answer 2

UTBadger

Community Specialist

May 11, 2023 7:19 AM in response to aleatoory

Hey aleatoory,

Thanks for the update. To clarify, do you have Bluetooth enabled on your devices? Have you restarted your phone since getting everything set up properly?

If all else fails and unable to get a solution, you may want to contact Apple for further support using this link: Get Support

Take care!

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Answer 3

aleatoory Author

Level 1

29 points

May 10, 2023 9:07 PM in response to bruno75

Thanks for the response but so far it hasn't helped.

I follow the directions as shown but I still get a gray icon on my phone that doesn't allow me to to control my iMac from my iPhone.
It used to work on my iPhone but that was at least one or two software revisions ago and to my knowledge nothing else has changed on my phone.
My phone is on 16.4.1(a) no idea why it was just showing as 16.0. My Mac is on 13.3.1(a)

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Answer 4

aleatoory Author

Level 1

29 points

May 12, 2023 12:54 PM in response to UTBadger

Bluetooth is enabled. I tried to set up remote from my iphone to my Mac laptop and had the exact same issue so the problem seems to be some setting on my phone. I've rebooted my phone and am tempted to reset it but there is a large library that has to be converted from lossless to 256K whenever I do that so it takes a long time.

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Answer 5

1ssmith

Community Specialist

May 12, 2023 1:08 PM in response to aleatoory

Hi aleatoory,

Based on the troubleshooting that has been completed up to this point, your best bet will be to Get Support directly from Apple from here on out. You can use the link here to get started.

Take care.

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Can't connect to Mac music library from iphone - Music icon is gray

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