what does the dotted circle mean?

I had this problem just this morning. iTunes would not import folders or files.

I fixed it by going to: Edit > Preferences > Advanced then ticked the box that says "Copy files to iTunes media folder when adding to library".

I have to say I much preferred iTunes BEFORE this "update"

Have you looked at the previous discussions listed on the right side of this page under the heading "More Like This"?

Hey, I had the exact same problem with my transferring a new album my friend bought on my Mac, to my iphone... It took me two days to figure it out, but it could be either of 2 things:

1. You don't have the "manually manage music and videos" box checked. If you check it, then try to click and drag it over to your music on your device, it should then sync (on iTunes 11) This was my problem, and I checked that box, and it transferred and downloaded instantly

2. You don't have enough memory space on your device to put the playlist on. This was the problem for a lot of other people, not me, but they said it worked once they cleared some space on their device.

Hopes this helps! 🙂

So, it will now let me drag the songs from my hard drive (outside of iTunes) into a playlist on my iPhone, which is a big improvement, so thanks. However, if I drag any playlists from iTunes on the computer onto to the iPhone, they still appear greyed out with dotted circles. Any other suggestions?

Do you have the manually sync box checked? If you do, try to sync your music onto your iPhone, even though the grey circles are there, by hitting the actual sync button instead of automatically syncing, and they should fill up and disappear, signaling that they are on your iPhone now.. That's what I did. Hopes this helps! :)

Nope. Did not work for me. Other ideas?

Nor me. I can't stand this stupid version! It's driving me crazy.

Hi pfn,

From an earlier post on this topic - this may work for you - it's worth a try:

First go to the 'On This iPad/iPod/iPhone' section and note all the tracks that have dotted circles.

In the 'Music' section, un-check/de-select all the tunes noted

Apply and sync the changes.

Once that completes re-check/re-select the same tunes just un-checked/de-selected in the 'Music' section.

Apply and sync the changes again

Go back into the 'On This iPad/iPod/iPhone' section

Hopefully all the dotted circles will be gone and all the tracks can be played

See if this helps!

Cheers,

GB

This helped me! I was able to get rid of the circle by unchecking, deleting, and re-syncing.

Thank you!

PFN🙂

YAY!!! Glad it worked for you! If you can find the place to mark that answer as correct, it would be helpful for others that have this question.

Cheers,

GB

I solved this problem by syncing my iphone 5 while plugged in. That didn't work right away so I deleted those songs. Synced again. Added the songs again. This solved it for me and the songs are now playable on my iTunes. Keep doing this process over and over again until it works.

pfn371 You were right. You need to deselect and delete the songs with the dotted circles from the iPhone and then just add them back to your iPhone playlist from your computer.

VOILA! Problem solved.🙂

Gail from Maine: I am not sure what or where 'On This iPad/iPod/iPhone' section is. Alas I have finally removed the dotted circles. So thank you for inspiring PFN371 to post his/her response.

Yes - as I wrote in my response to pfn371:

First go to the 'On This iPad/iPod/iPhone' section and note all the tracks that have dotted circles.

In the 'Music' section, un-check/de-select all the tunes noted

Apply and sync the changes.

Once that completes re-check/re-select the same tunes just un-checked/de-selected in the 'Music' section.

Apply and sync the changes again

Go back into the 'On This iPad/iPod/iPhone' section

Hopefully all the dotted circles will be gone and all the tracks can be played

That's how you fix the problem.....

GB

Hello all, i've tried to do everything you guys suggested, still have the grey dotted circle on my musics when its viewed in the iphone tab, i cannot add any musics to the iphone 4S, I even tried restarting back to the original factory configuration, it still didnt work either!!

Im running a itunes 11.

This must be a bug!!

Anyone found the solution?

I had this problem when trying to sync songs to my iPad. Here is my solution:

Note** this solution worked for me with my DEVICE PLUGGED INTO THE COMPUTER, not wirelessly!

1) in iTunes go to the songs "on this iPad/phone/whatever it is you are trying to sync.

2) locate and note whatever songs you find with the dotted circle next to them.

3) completely delete these songs from your iTunes and iTunes only, not entirely off your computer.

4) re-transfer these songs back onto iTunes from wherever you store your music.

5) PLUG IN YOUR DEVICE, cross your fingers and try syncing again.

This worked for me, hopefully it solves your problem as well. Wireless syncing is a great feature but I encounter errors every so often so I prefer the traditional wired syncing. Good luck!