Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Why won't my songs transfer from itunes to my iphone?

When I plug in my phone into my computer and try to sync my playlists on iTunes to my iPhone, the sync completes but the songs will not transfer. I even tried deleting the existing playlists from my iPhone and I couldn't even do that. I have literally tried everything that I know. Any suggestions?

iPhone 5, iOS 7.0.2

Posted on Sep 28, 2013 2:13 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 16, 2017 4:17 AM

I figured it out! A million hours later and 4 in the morning but I figured it out. So I did everything updated my iPhone 7 newest software same w iTunes on my windows computer everything. Nothing worked. Until I had to go to my actual iPhone go to settings, music, then turn off iCloud Music Library and enable home sharing. Then once I did that I went back onto my computer went to iTunes and synced manually. All I did was on iTunes go to your phone section and click sync. Once I did so I was then able to add music. I dragged the music to the device and it was finally added. I domt know what's going on w apple and why it's become so much harder to sync music. It was so much easier back in the day. Anywho I'm just glad I finally figured it out. Now I can listen to my hypnobirthing tracks on my phone.

285 replies

Feb 26, 2016 5:01 AM in response to beemedina

I think the issue is that Apple wants to store all your music on the ICloud and will only download what you tell it too.


I just resolve this issue myself. Here is what I did.

On your phone, go to ITunes Store. Click on "...More"->Purchased->Music->All songs. At this point you should see a link at the top which says "Download All", or you can individually download songs by clicking on the icon which looks like a cloud with an arrow.

Mar 27, 2016 6:21 AM in response to ajal1

Had the same issue on my new iPhone 6s.

Solved it on my phone by going to Settings/Touch ID & Passcode/Turn Passcode Off

by doing so you bypass the passcode access on your phone.

Plug into your computer and have iTunes to sync the music you desire and voila!

Once finished, your music will show on your phone.... Enjoy your music!

May 26, 2016 9:05 PM in response to ebslsc

Thanks for this answer, it worked for me but I also noticed that downloads I do in You Tube and use a converter to MP3 program those songs go directly into my ITunes on my computer but I cannot transfer these songs onto my IPhone unless I right click on the song and select create ACC version which it redoes the song and that version is able to convert to my IPhone then. So if anyone wants to know about direct downloads off of You tube to a converter program you have to convert to ACC version to get the song to work in your IPhone. This is a pain in the *** to do but it works for now until Apple gets their **** together and does something about fixing this issue.

Many thanks from the Mightycat.

Aug 12, 2016 3:30 PM in response to ajal1

I am appalled how not user friendly Itunes/Ipad is - even on this site, one has to circle through endless pages before being able to post anything. I wanted to post my own question, but it was not possible, that's Apple for you! I bought this piece of .... almost two years ago and deeply regretted it. Since then, I'm unable to use Itunes as a library for my songs and transfer them to this device. Itunes recognizes the Ipad, I select the songs (because syncing would of course erase my library, another brilliant failure of the software), but nothing happens. Simply won't transfer over. Furthermore, when I bought a new PC and had to download Itunes again, Itunes no longer recognized the library on Ipod, so I can no longer use this device. And since it's impossible to import the Itunes library from the old PC, that is it, you're s.....d. Thanks Apple! Now I understand why your stocks are failing so miserably on the market (will be dumping them to the garbage soon along with Ipad). You simply don't want to understand what the customers want and need here, but I'll help: 1. customers want user friendly devices 2. customers don't want to be forced to purchase anything from your store 3. customers want to be able to upload/download content between devices with ease. What is this Itunes software anyway? A complete failure! It is NOT working, the internet is FULL of complaints and no resolution from Apple 3. customers want usb ports where with a click of a button content goes back and forth 4. customers want to be able to hear when Skype is ringing, another major failure with this device. Honestly what are you hoping for Apple? And what is this ridiculous auto correct thing? You can't even type, it writes nonsense.

Nov 17, 2016 11:21 PM in response to ajal1

yes also me, I'm about to throw this Iphone6 and curse it... I can't even transfer my music into it,, seriously apple? how you will satisfy us customers on this? we pay a lot of money and can't even listen to our favorite songs. I will definitely switch to P9.... coz everytime I transfer or add music into my library I always got a problem, it's not a friendly user.

Nov 29, 2016 8:33 PM in response to ajal1

I make playlists that have to be exactly 44:30 and time out exactly with certain times. Sometimes playlists on my iPhone 5c the music app through iTunes go from saying Downloaded at the top to the cloud with the down arrow. I used to be able to fix this by re-syncing with iTunes, but now that does nothing and if I try to do it on my phone by hitting the cloud symbol it comes up that my Apple ID has expired and to go to View Account. I can't find View Account in the music app on my phone, but I did it on my laptop and it is not expired and says it is connected to my phone. So now 3 of my playlists are all messed up and I still have more to make and I get times and play them every day that I work. Please someone tell me how to fix this without deleting anything or calling a number.

Nov 30, 2016 6:57 AM in response to ajal1

That will not help iTunes will Will not recognize any idevice let alone support it.A 2007 Mac mini is outdated Apple is forcing us to buy a newer computer at 10.6.8 it can,t be updated.Why own a iPhone if you can,t back it up and add music from your own music Library that you imported from thousands of songs and spent the time to do it . Apple is becoming too controlling .

Dec 21, 2016 10:22 PM in response to ajal1

I know this all too well. I recently downloaded one of twenty one pilots old albums and my favorite song in there is air catcher. For some weird reason it disappeared from my phone one day, so I tried to put it back on. Every time I tried it wouldn't show up. I deleted the album and put it back on my phone. Every song was on there except for that one song.


I have plenty of storage and have pressed sync dozens of times and I'm pretty fed up. If my phone can take the whole album, then it has plenty of room to take one more song.

Mar 6, 2017 1:15 PM in response to ajal1

An Apple rep quietly explained to my wife and me that Apple has gradually moved toward making the synch more cumbersome. They want people to migrate to Apple Music she explained. When iTunes started they had a slick interface that allowed for easy download and management of music. It has become needlessly complicated and unreliable - some songs are fully downloaded while other songs that were previously download are now suddenly awaiting to be downloaded. Apple provides poor official explanations for this.

Apr 19, 2017 11:37 AM in response to turingtest2

I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if this were true. Of course you forum drone will mock. But, pray tell, what possible logical reason would there be for a multi billion dollar company releasing a product that can't properly do something as rudimentary as transfer some songs to a device? I like to manage my songs manually. I like specific songs. I don't want to radio stream or whatever else. And when I drag my itunes playlist to my phone there is like a 30-40% chance it will get stuck and be greyed out on the phone and never sync. Ever. I have to keep deleting the greyed out songs on my phone and re-drag them, sometimes many times before they work. Go ahead, make our day, drone, and give us a good explanation for this. There isn't. I have all the requirements, plenty of space, etc. This entire planet, your very life is a conspiracy. This is nothing. Don't worry about it. I'll buy an android next.

Why won't my songs transfer from itunes to my iphone?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.