iPhone iOS 7, iTunes Store: Audiobooks not available after purchase and download from iTunes Store, even via Wifi (iCloud, iTunes Match)

Hi Apple, Hi Apple Community,

Problem Scenario
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I purchased and downloaded an audio book on my iPhone 5S (iOS 7.x) while having a fast boradband wifi connection. After the download the audio book is not available in my music library. However, when searching the whole iPhone (swipe from top in iOS 7) the audiobook is found.

When looking for the title in the iTunes store, it is denoted as "downloaded" (muted gray text), but not listed under "recently purchased items".

I am a iTunes Match customer (activated).

Related Discussions

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There are several unsanswered discussions in the Apple support communities forums (iPad and iPhone) that indicate this issue is affecting a wide range of users:

- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5489119

- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5586769

- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3144727

- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5626214

- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4154859

- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4688739

- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5066377

- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3980683

The discussions indicate that a synchronization with a Mac computer can resolve the issue.

"BTW...the responses above suggesting that we need to sync Audiobooks in iTunes on a computer is a bit odd. Some folks only have iPads...no computers. The process of purchasing and listening to audiobooks on an iPad should work using the iPad as a stand alone device." (Tim Andersen, https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5489119)

Alternatively, a restart/reset of the device (iPhone or iPad) and a resign in into iTunes can help to have the purchased audio book appear in the Music app.

"I had same problem - have just tried this and it seems to have worked:

Go to iTunes

Select your Apple ID

Select Sign Out

Restart your iPad

Go back to iTunes

Sign in using your Apple ID and Password

After that, your new purchases should show up in the Audiobooks section of music." (Cara28, https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5489119)

"I just spent 45 minutes with Apple trying to find a solution, argh 😕 I was missing all my books and even the 'audiobooks' tab under my music. I signed out of iTunes on my iPhone, rebooted it, then resigned back in. Audiobooks tab was back and allll my books! I really hope that works if you haven't already fixed it! 😁" (SonderbergBronze, https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5586769)

The behavior is preposterous and unacceptable, imho. Having to reset a device, sync it with a mac or sign in and out of iTunes is not only not explained in any documentation, but also a major degradation of the user experience apple aims for (as stated in many public events, interviews and documents).

In general, the whole iTunes Match and iCloud solution seems rather buggy since I am frequently missing an automated sync of purchases or modifications of playlists. Despite being in wifis 80% of the time.

The reasons are not traceable to either app beahvior (Music or iTunes app) or server-side behavior, as the both are black boxes to me as a customer.

Although I am very satisfied with most of the services and software from Apple, in this case a clear improvement appears necessary. The experience and usability of consuming audiobooks is rendered towards nil.

As a customer, I wish to see an improvement regarding the aforementioned discrepancies with audiobooks in the iTunes store to other Apple products, services, and software. For now, I will have to turn towards other audiobook sellers on the market.

Btw.: Why are iBooks mingled with audiobooks in the iTunes stores? This is confusing and hinders in finding audiobooks in categories such as offers or classics.