How can I sync my music library on macos 26.2 and iPados 26.1? I've uploaded some CDs onto my iMac and want to copy them to the library already on my iPad. The videos I've found on line say to use "Sync Library" in Settings, but neither of my devices show that switch.
This was quick and easy with previous OS versions, just attach the cable and let them run.
iPad mini 6, iPadOS 26
Bill_MG wrote:
How can I sync my music library on macos 26.2 and iPados 26.1? I've uploaded some CDs onto my iMac and want to copy them to the library already on my iPad. The videos I've found on line say to use "Sync Library" in Settings, but neither of my devices show that switch.
This was quick and easy with previous OS versions, just attach the cable and let them run.
"Sync Library" is a feature of Apple Music and iTunes Match subscriptions – and is not available unless you are a subscriber to one of those services.
Use Sync Library with your Apple Music subscription - Apple Support
It is an alternative to "manual" synchronization, where you connect your iPhone/iPad/iPod to a computer, and load the portable device with a selection of music from the computer. On a Mac that is running Tahoe, you'd use Music to organize your music library, and the Finder to "manually" synchronize it to an iPad, iPhone, or iPod.
Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod using your computer - Apple Support
When you say "This was quick and easy with previous OS versions, just attach the cable and let them run," that leads me to believe that you have been doing manual synchronization – in which case the videos you found online may be telling you to use a feature that is not relevant to your setup.
Bill_MG wrote:
How can I sync my music library on macos 26.2 and iPados 26.1? I've uploaded some CDs onto my iMac and want to copy them to the library already on my iPad. The videos I've found on line say to use "Sync Library" in Settings, but neither of my devices show that switch.
This was quick and easy with previous OS versions, just attach the cable and let them run.
"Sync Library" is a feature of Apple Music and iTunes Match subscriptions – and is not available unless you are a subscriber to one of those services.
Use Sync Library with your Apple Music subscription - Apple Support
It is an alternative to "manual" synchronization, where you connect your iPhone/iPad/iPod to a computer, and load the portable device with a selection of music from the computer. On a Mac that is running Tahoe, you'd use Music to organize your music library, and the Finder to "manually" synchronize it to an iPad, iPhone, or iPod.
Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod using your computer - Apple Support
When you say "This was quick and easy with previous OS versions, just attach the cable and let them run," that leads me to believe that you have been doing manual synchronization – in which case the videos you found online may be telling you to use a feature that is not relevant to your setup.
The screenshots are helpful. Thank you.
I do understand now that you are taking advantage of Home Sharing.
This is some of Apple's guidance for setting up and using the feature: Use Home Sharing to share media from a computer to other devices - Apple Support
You might wish to review it and make sure that your devices are properly set up. There's a chance that your recent upgrade has undone some random setting.
Previously you wrote:
❝c) When I go to the Music tab, then click "Sync music onto Bill's iPad," a popup asks "Are you sure you want to remove existing music, movies, TV shows, and books from this iPad and sync with this library? Music, movies, TV shows, and books synced to "Bill's iPad" from other libraries will be removed and items will be synced from this library." I have two libraries on this iPad, one previously synced with my wife's iMac (we use family sharing) and another synced with my iMac. I don't want to remove either. So what should I do here?❞
Yes, you must check mark that box and allow the media to be removed from the iPad and sync with that library from the Mac. This will not affect your iPad's access to and use of the music in Home Sharing. You will continue to access that music as you already do in the iPad's Music app dropdown menu.
Please review if necessary: Connect your device to your Mac to sync Music content - Apple Support
Bill_MG wrote:
Thanks for your quick reply. A few differences concern me.
a) When I open the Finder window, I don't see Trust. Is the trust inherited from previous OS versions?
Yes. If you have previously trusted the computer, then that trust is inherited even though the macOS version has been upgraded
b) When I go to the Music app, I don't see Sync Settings in the top-right. I do see Sync in the bottom right. I haven't clicked it yet because of the next two concerns.
The Music app is subject to revision any time, so things may and do get moved around from time to time. In Tahoe, for example, the current version of the Music app for Mac has some glaring and startling aesthetic revisions that many are unhappy about.
c) When I go to the Music tab, then click "Sync music onto Bill's iPad," a popup asks "Are you sure you want to remove existing music, movies, TV shows, and books from this iPad and sync with this library? Music, movies, TV shows, and books synced to "Bill's iPad" from other libraries will be removed and items will be synced from this library." I have two libraries on this iPad, one previously synced with my wife's iMac (we use family sharing) and another synced with my iMac. I don't want to remove either. So what should I do here?
I'm not sure how you've managed to have two libraries on the iPad. AFAIK, the iPad may only be sync'd with a single Music library. If you change the default library for Music on the Mac or try to sync the iPad with a different computer, then the sync process would recognize that and you'll get the prompt that you see.
d) Still on the Music tab, I see options for Selected artists, albums, genres, and playlists. No matter which of the four I select, the screen still shows Artists. Why is that?
At this point I cannot say why? Have you updated the iPad to iOS 26.2? It was released last month.
You might boot the Mac in safe mode and see what if that is helpful. Safe mode disables third party software that may interfere with the OS and normal Mac functions.
How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
I've had other concerns about Tahoe since I first started using it. (I've been seeing newly introduced errors in Calendar 26.0, 26.1, and 26.2, but they're not specifically relevant here.)
As with any new upgrade, there may be issues that you'll have to work through. It's a bit of a pita, but better to work through them as they appear than to delay upgrading for years at a time and then find yourself way behind the curve. Start a thread for each issue that you find yourself fighting and I'm sure you'll get plenty of support here in the community.
Please help me understand each of these concerns.
Trying. 🙂
Bill_MG wrote:
I appreciate your helpfulness.
About music libraries: My iMac (on 26.2) and my iPhone (on 26.1) both show two libraries selectable by an either-or dropdown. Owner's Music was created by my wife on her iMac several years ago and synced to my iPad using an earlier OS. I created My Library on my iMac two or three years ago and synced it to my iPad (now on 26.1) using an earlier OS. I don't remember what I did to set up dual-library access. I just verified that my iMac and iPhone can still get to both libraries, but I'm no longer finding that dropdown on my iPad.
I still do not understanding how you have two libraries on the iPad. On my own devices, I have access to my Music subscription and to music downloaded from my own library on my Mac - albums, song & playlists. I'm unaware of any iDevice having access to more than a single Mac based library at one time.
Can you provide a screenshot of that particular access screen from the iPhone?
About Tahoe and Calendar on my iPad: I reported several concerns weeks ago to the online forum and to Apple phone support. Some of my Calendar concerns have been addressed, but new to 26.2, displaying Week, when I scroll horizontally to the next week I usually see only a left column of times with no horizontal lines and no scheduled events. Sometimes, though, it displays properly.[...]
That behavior is disappointing. I'm sorry to say I'm unable to assist you with this problem.
You should start a separate thread to address this directly.
My wife is expecting delivery of a new iMac tomorrow. I'm wondering what OS it'll come with.
[...]
I would expect a Mac delivered today, several months after the release of Tahoe, to come with that newest OS installed.
About Safe Mode: I tried it on my iMac a couple weeks ago and again just now, and I didn't notice anything different. My observation (d) still applies.
I cannot duplicate this lack of function at all on my iPad or iPhone.
Again, can you provide a screen shot of this?
New weird thing: Several times this morning, my iPhone, plugged into my iMac for charging, has asked me Trust This Computer? I’ve never seen this popup before. It's interesting that my iMac inherited Trust for the iPad, but my iPhone is now asking for Trust for the iMac.
I do see this happen from time to time, usually after applying an OS update or upgrade to either the Mac or an idevice. I think even browser updates on the Mac may trigger this.
There are options for dealing with all (?) of these issues, such as reinstalling macOS. This can be done without erasing any of your own user files and data. It simply lays down a fresh copy of the current OS onto the computer. Before you go this route, make sure you have backed up your data, just in case something goes sideways. Reinstall macOS - Apple Support
If you wish to pursue troubleshooting these problems further, please run an EtreCheck evaluation of your Mac and post the generated report back here in a reply. EtreCheck is a safe and highly regarded utility from a trusted developer and respected ASC contributor. The report it generates will not include any personal info. It simply gathers specifics about hardware, performance and installed software that might be in conflict with the OS.
Please navigate to EtreCheck.com to download the utility - the free version should suffice for now. Be sure to Allow Full Disk Access when you install the app. Once you’ve run the app and created your report please post it with your reply to this message.
Please note you must upload the full report. To see how, please click > How to use Add Text when posting… EtreCheck Report.
We’ll use your EtreCheck report to look for the things that may be causing your problem and advise how to correct them.
D.I. Johnson wrote:
I still do not understanding how you [the OP] have two libraries on the iPad. On my own devices, I have access to my Music subscription and to music downloaded from my own library on my Mac - albums, song & playlists. I'm unaware of any iDevice having access to more than a single Mac based library at one time.
Could the OP be referring to Home Sharing?
Use Home Sharing to share media from a computer to other devices - Apple Support
"With Home Sharing, you can share, stream, and import media from up to five computers that are connected to your home Wi-Fi network."
That would allow an iPad to access several music libraries, in addition to its own. The iPad would still only have a single local Music library, which could only be synchronized against a single computer's Music library at one time.
Thanks for your quick reply. A few differences concern me.
a) When I open the Finder window, I don't see Trust. Is the trust inherited from previous OS versions?
b) When I go to the Music app, I don't see Sync Settings in the top-right. I do see Sync in the bottom right. I haven't clicked it yet because of the next two concerns.
c) When I go to the Music tab, then click "Sync music onto Bill's iPad," a popup asks "Are you sure you want to remove existing music, movies, TV shows, and books from this iPad and sync with this library? Music, movies, TV shows, and books synced to "Bill's iPad" from other libraries will be removed and items will be synced from this library." I have two libraries on this iPad, one previously synced with my wife's iMac (we use family sharing) and another synced with my iMac. I don't want to remove either. So what should I do here?
d) Still on the Music tab, I see options for Selected artists, albums, genres, and playlists. No matter which of the four I select, the screen still shows Artists. Why is that?
I've had other concerns about Tahoe since I first started using it. (I've been seeing newly introduced errors in Calendar 26.0, 26.1, and 26.2, but they're not specifically relevant here.)
Please help me understand each of these concerns.
I appreciate your helpfulness.
About music libraries: My iMac (on 26.2) and my iPhone (on 26.1) both show two libraries selectable by an either-or dropdown. Owner's Music was created by my wife on her iMac several years ago and synced to my iPad using an earlier OS. I created My Library on my iMac two or three years ago and synced it to my iPad (now on 26.1) using an earlier OS. I don't remember what I did to set up dual-library access. I just verified that my iMac and iPhone can still get to both libraries, but I'm no longer finding that dropdown on my iPad.
About Tahoe and Calendar on my iPad: I reported several concerns weeks ago to the online forum and to Apple phone support. Some of my Calendar concerns have been addressed, but new to 26.2, displaying Week, when I scroll horizontally to the next week I usually see only a left column of times with no horizontal lines and no scheduled events. Sometimes, though, it displays properly. I turn off the iPad every night and restart it every morning, so it doesn't seem to be caused by "memory clutter," whatever that could be. As a long-time software product developer and trainer, I continue to wonder why anyone is messing with the interface for a seemingly simple, long established, and commonly used feature like Calendar. I infer from what you said that other people have reported similar frustration with Music.
My wife is expecting delivery of a new iMac tomorrow. I'm wondering what OS it'll come with. The Apple Store tech didn't know, and, by the way, he was the third tech I've talked to who's intentionally slow about installing upgrades. I'm hoping against expectation that the new iMac will be on stable Sequoia and not surprising Tahoe.
About Safe Mode: I tried it on my iMac a couple weeks ago and again just now, and I didn't notice anything different. My observation (d) still applies.
New weird thing: Several times this morning, my iPhone, plugged into my iMac for charging, has asked me Trust This Computer? I’ve never seen this popup before. It's interesting that my iMac inherited Trust for the iPad, but my iPhone is now asking for Trust for the iMac.
Here are screenshots you asked for. About the Music libraries, I think Servant of Cats is correct that I linked to the libraries using Home Sharing, which enabled my iPad to connect to one or the other and not simultaneously. I'd like to still have that capability.
I'll post my latest Calendar issue as you suggested on a separate thread.
I'm still confused by this. For Home Sharing, /support.apple.com/en-us/108958 says "Make sure that all of your devices are signed in with the same Apple ID." For Family Sharing, /support.apple.com/en-us/108380 says "share access to Apple services like iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV+ and more -- all without sharing an Apple Account." My wife and I keep our devices on our individual different Apple IDs, so that seems more like Family Sharing.
On my iPad, I'd long been able to connect Music to either my library, copied from my iMac to my iPad, or "Owner's Music" on her iPad -- one at a time, never combined -- but that visible choice vanished when I upgraded my devices to Tahoe. With all the confusion, I'm reluctant to upgrade my iPad (or iPhone) further to 26.2.
To complicate things even more, my wife just replaced her iMac, which had been on the last pre-Tahoe OS, with a new one that came with Tahoe 26.2. We still have the old iMac, and I'm holding on to it until I get this figured out, "this" being getting my Music Library access back to what it was.
Any suggestions?
Thanks. No, I'm not using Apple Music or iTunes Match, so the synchronization I'm looking for is unrelated to them. I'll continue this thread with D.I. Johnson.
The screenshots I posted earlier don't look clear or complete enough to me. I've put them into a Pages document at https://app.box.com/s/cf146fjbgcv88i1oqlek2yrgv8gptwln.
I do believe you're correct about the Shared Libraries. And yes, I see by the OP's replies that is exactly the situation. Gotta love a good screenshot, too. 👍🏽
Sync Mac music to iPad: "Sync Library" option missing
