How to delete "Ghost Audio Files" on iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3.1, iTunes 12.3.3

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How to delete "Ghost Audio Files" on iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3.1, iTunes 12.3.3

I have a Windows PC with iTunes 12.3.3 (latest version) and iPhone 6s iOS 9.3.1

Been having alot of trouble recently with iTunes thinking I have music on my iPhone when I really don't have music on my phone, hence the name "ghost files". I have tried what several other websites have suggested doing such as:

Downloading iFunbox and deleting ghost files there
Clearing all music on iPhone through settings>General>Usage>Music and delete all
Resetting iPhone, worked, but only temporarily
Using a different Apple lightning cable
Download and run iExplorer

Also posted a topic before which brought me to the realization that the audio files are on my iPhone but not showing up in the Music app. Please do read through this topic, I have given alot of background information here that isn't going to be written on this topic.

So i just spent the past 2 hours syncing music over to my iPhone and it all got "erased"

I have checked iTunes in the summary tab of my iPhone at the very bottom, and it does not show any data for music files, which is very weird. I have since tried syncing the music i want on my phone through iTunes but it simply doesn't sync over. iTunes acts as if the files are already on my iPhone.

One last problem that may be affecting the music is that on iTunes next to not all, but some of the songs I previously had on my iPhone have a ! inside of a circle to the left of the song.

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 25, 2016 3:01 PM

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Answer 1

CaelinS Author

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Apr 27, 2016 3:28 PM in response to CaelinS

Bump

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Answer 2

turingtest2

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Apr 27, 2016 5:52 PM in response to CaelinS

The following steps should resolve things 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.)

Backup device.
Restore as a new device.
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. You can however 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. A further change to the way restores are implemented means that all private app 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. Not having the apps in your library isn't the drawback it once was, however you are still at risk of losing a favoured app if it is removed from the store and you don't have a local copy.

tt2

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Answer 3

CaelinS Author

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Apr 27, 2016 6:54 PM in response to turingtest2

I followed the steps you outlined above to no success. When trying to sync the music I want over to my iPhone, iTunes still acts as if the songs are on my phone and doesn't sync over :/

Any other ideas?

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Answer 4

turingtest2

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Apr 28, 2016 3:36 AM in response to CaelinS

After step 2 the device should have no content on it at all. Was that not the case?

Can you post a screenshot of what you see in iTunes?

tt2

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Answer 5

CaelinS Author

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Apr 28, 2016 3:25 PM in response to turingtest2

I have already backed up the iPhone, so there is now content on there. I immediately backed up the iPhone after restoring, so I never had a chance to check for sure if there was nothing on it, if thats what your asking.

And for what you wan to see in iTunes I would assume you want to see summary, so here it is:

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Answer 6

turingtest2

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Apr 28, 2016 3:11 PM in response to CaelinS

Sorry, I should have specified the On My Device > Music folder.

I've asked the hosts to remove the image from your post as it gives personal information.

tt2

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Answer 7

CaelinS Author

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Apr 28, 2016 3:26 PM in response to turingtest2

EDIT:

Host already removed picture, what Info was i giving out? I can make sure to crop it out in next screenshot

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Answer 8

turingtest2

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Apr 28, 2016 3:33 PM in response to CaelinS

Your phone & serial numbers were visible.

tt2

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Answer 9

CaelinS Author

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Apr 28, 2016 3:42 PM in response to turingtest2

New screenshot:

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Answer 10

turingtest2

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Apr 28, 2016 3:59 PM in response to CaelinS

In the view above can you select that item and delete it?

I didn't think to take note earlier but on your first screen shot do you have the option Sync only checked songs and videos selected?

tt2

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Answer 11

CaelinS Author

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Apr 28, 2016 4:28 PM in response to turingtest2

Ok, I checked sync only music and videos in summary and I deleted the one song off the phone.

I tried to sync over the music I want on my iPhone after I checked the option which you advised to do and iTunes again did nothing, acting as if files were already on iPhone, if that was your idea to do next.

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Answer 12

turingtest2

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Apr 28, 2016 4:54 PM in response to CaelinS

Review the options on Device > Settings > Music. Might be best to select a single album or a small playlist first to see if syncing is now behaving as it should.

tt2

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Answer 13

CaelinS Author

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Apr 28, 2016 5:03 PM in response to turingtest2

I dont see what your asking. my iPhone does not have any options for playlists...

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Answer 14

turingtest2

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Apr 28, 2016 5:59 PM in response to CaelinS

Device > Settings > Music > Sync Music > Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres > Make selections.

tt2

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Answer 15

CaelinS Author

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Apr 28, 2016 6:15 PM in response to turingtest2

Ok I tried that, didn't download anything from the artists I selected. When I went to my music, There was a ! inside a circle next to each song that wasn't able to transfer over (which was every song by the artist)

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