ITunes creating duplicate playlists when syncing with iPod

The following steps should resolve issues around syncing, assuming all of the content you want is in your library.

(If it isn't see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device)

1. Backup device.
2. Restore as a new device.
3. Restore the backup you made earlier.

N.B. A feature introduced with iOS 9 referred to as app thinning or app slicing allows each device to download only the code and resources needed by that device, resulting in smaller downloads and better use of storage on the device. As a consequence the device no longer holds the universal version of the app that could be installed on any device so transferring apps is no longer supported. Hopefully Apple will make some changes to the way this works, but in the meantime you can download past purchases from iTunes and/or enable automatic downloads of app purchases to make sure that iTunes always has the apps that you want on your device. As long as you make sure all apps are present and updated in iTunes before attempting a restore there should be no loss of data. I can't confirm, but it seems a recent update means that all data is restored and apps that are not in the library are queued for download from the iTunes Store over Wi-Fi, in a similar fashion to the way restore from iCloud works.

tt2

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

Thanks for the suggestion, turingtest2, but restoring my iPod did nothing. In fact, it did not restart with factory settings; all my songs and apps and settings were still there even after restore. And so everyone is aware, I backed up my iPod on my computer and restored (NOT updated) it from Recovery Mode as in these Apple directions: If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support. Just to be clear, I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at Apple...again. *sigh* Prepare for a long rant, everyone....

I'm having these same issues (I update playlist in iTunes, connect iPod to computer, Sync, playlist is updated on iPod but also has a duplicate created -- Playlist Name 1 -- that is a copy of the playlist before I made changes in iTunes). That first Sync upon connecting my iPod to my computer is what generates the duplicate and puts the duplicate into iTunes on my computer too. Deleting the duplicate in iTunes doesn't work because as soon as you Sync again, it comes back. Deleting the duplicate on the iPod and then Syncing also does nothing.

The ONLY workaround I've found (if you can even call it that) is to export your updated playlist from iTunes, delete the playlist from the iPod AND iTunes, Sync so that your iPod recognizes that the playlist is gone from your library, import your exported copy of the playlist BACK into iTunes, and then Sync again so that your iPod recognizes it as a "new" playlist. Note, if you have a separate Smart Playlist with rules that are dependent on the playlist you deleted and re-imported, the Smart Playlist will break. I have dozens of interdependent Smart Playlists that reference static playlists in my library. That's why this isn't even really a workaround. 😠

Considering that Syncing each time takes 5-6 minutes for me, and with this method you would need to Sync at least three times, this is an utterly time-consuming, ridiculous process. Take into account that I have lots of playlists that I'm constantly updating and...no. Just no. Prior to Sync breaking, Syncing my iPod by connecting it to my computer used to take 30-50 seconds. And no duplicates would be made; the update would always be iTunes-priority, so whatever version of the playlist was on my iPod would be overwritten by any changes in iTunes. As it should be.

I've searched this forum and it appears this is an ongoing problem with Sync that has not been fixed even after various iOS and iTunes version updates. The duplicate playlists have only started for me this past week, and I don't recall ever making a new playlist on my iPod touch independent of iTunes (except accidentally making On The Go Playlists). However, the other threads are making it sound like this is what caused the problem in the first place.

The other threads I'm referencing are here:

• Near Duplicate Playlist is Created when Syncing with IPhone
• iTunes 12.2 keeps duplicating playlists. How do I make it stop?
• Sync with Iphone new itunes, creates a new playlist 1 on its own.

None of these other threads have been resolved. Come on, Apple. I am at my wits' end. I update my playlists constantly in iTunes. CONSTANTLY. Whatever Apple broke, they need to fix it pronto. This is utterly ridiculous.

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iPod touch 5th generation, iOS 9.2.1, iTunes 12.3.2.35, Windows 7 Home Premium

Sorry for double-post, but the forum isn't letting me edit my previous post.

Just wanted to link two more unresolved threads from the past year with the same problem (to show Apple that this is serious):

• duplicate playlist
• Playlists are duplicated when syncing

As a matter of interest do you have an active subscription to either Apple Music or iTunes Match?

tt2

Hi there, and thanks for replying!

I am not a subscriber to either one of those services. To be honest, I didn't like the change to Apple Music from the get-go, and the only thing I use iCloud for (which I have now turned off) is Find My iPod and backing up settings. The only other "online" service of Apple's I use is the iTunes Store itself (whose purchases are now forced to backup to iCloud, but that's a different story). I'm going to try restoring my iPod (wiping it clean) one more time tonight, but I'm not very optimistic about it. Yesterday when I tried it, I picked the option to restore, and iTunes then said it was going to restore and update -- no other options available. :/

Yes, a restore will always put on a newer version of the firmware if one is available.

tt2