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Where is my album

I just purchased an album from iTunes. Why won't it sync to my iPhone 5?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Feb 1, 2016 4:31 PM

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Posted on Feb 1, 2016 9:16 PM

Your question is a bit vague; I'll make some assumptions about what you are asking. Are you syncing directly from iTunes library (on the Mac) to the iPhone (not using iCloud Music Library on iPhone)? If so, is Sync Music enabled on the iPhone's Music settings screen?


To check, select iPhone in iTunes (click its device button on horizontal bar) to show its settings screen in iTunes window. Along left side of window (in the sidebar), under Settings, click Music. To the right, you see the iPhone's Music settings screen. At the top, there is a checkbox for Sync Music. To turn ON automatic syncing, checkmark the checkbox.


NOTE: Any songs on iPhone that are not in your iTunes library (on the Mac) will be lost.


Unless your iTunes music library is small (it fits completely on the device), the best way to use automatic syncing is to create a new playlist in your iTunes library. You can call it iPhone Songs (or whatever you want). Add all the songs you want on the iPhone to this playlist (including that new album). Back on the iPhone's Music settings screen, below the Sync Music checkbox, choose to to sync Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres. Below that, under Playlists, find and select (checkmark) that iPhone Songs playlist. You can select other items on those lists, if desired. When you click Apply, iTunes syncs your selection to the iPhone. Going forward, update that iPhone Songs playlist (add/remove songs) in your iTunes library. The iPhone does not need to be connected. The next time you connect iPhone (or click Sync if already connected), iTunes automatically updates your iPhone with the same changes.


If that is not the specific question you are asking, please post back with more details.

22 replies

Feb 7, 2016 11:07 AM in response to leppyapple

That (your screenshot of iTunes preferences) normally means you do not have an iCloud Music Library (for the Apple ID being used to sign in). Do you subscribe to iTunes Match or Apple Music? Those paid services (having one or both) is what provides the iCloud Music Library. Otherwise, you don't have one. Maybe your wife's Apple ID has an iCloud Music Library, but the one you are currently using on the Mac does not.


In iTunes, click your name at the top of the window and select Account Info. On the Account Information screen, under iTunes in the Cloud, click Manage Devices. A list of devices currently associated with your Apple ID is shown. Is your Mac AND iPhone on the list?


You can also check there (on your Account Information screen) if you have iTunes Match and/or Apple Music, if you are not sure. The iTunes Match subscription is shown under iTunes in the Cloud. The Apple Music subscription is shown under Settings -> Subscriptions -> Manage.


Even if you don't have an iCloud Music Library, IF you are signed in on your Mac and iPhone using the same Apple ID, you can download past purchases (made with that same Apple ID) on the Mac or iPhone. This document explains how to do it.


Download your past purchases - Apple Support

Feb 7, 2016 12:53 PM in response to leppyapple

No option for Manage Devices under iTunes in the Cloud.

That may mean you do not have any devices currently associated with your Apple ID. That may seem strange, since you are signed in on that Mac, but I believe you need to use the Authorize This Computer command under Store in the iTunes menu bar. Exit out of that screen, then from the menu bar, under Store, select Authorize This Computer. Enter your currentApple ID and password, to authorize your Mac for that Apple ID (a computer can be authorized with more than one Apple ID or none at all). Go back to the Account Information screen to see if your Mac now appears as an associated device.


Now, why doesn't your iPhone appear as an associated device? If your iPhone does not appear there, that may mean you are actually not using the same Apple ID on your iPhone. You mentioned that you were using your wife's Apple ID on iPhone previously. On the iPhone screen, open Settings and check iCloud. That should be your Apple ID there. And also tap iTunes & App Store; make sure you are signed in using your Apple ID there.

Feb 7, 2016 2:44 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

I had authorized it already but did it again. And I de-authorized first just in case. My mac still doesn't show up under 'iTunes in the Cloud'. My phone is set to the same account under the iCloud option in Settings. But from what you said earlier, I haven't subscribed to anything so I don't actually have iCloud available to me?? Maybe I misunderstood.


My album is definitely on my mac but it never syncs. I have requested a refund so we'll see how that goes.

Feb 7, 2016 3:01 PM in response to leppyapple

I got it!!! This seems obvious now but my iTunes & App Stores was set to my wife's account. I changed that and the album downloaded. So this makes it even clearer that I have no iCloud connection. Only problem is it re-downloaded everything else I had from this artist i.e. it doubled up a bunch of other songs.


No idea why that happens but I can clear them off and the main thing is I have my album.


Thanks again!!

Where is my album

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