Delete music on iPhone but still in iTunes, On My Device, Music

Question

Level 1

12 points

Delete music on iPhone but still in iTunes, On My Device, Music

I have had this problem for ages and search everywhere for answer in vain. I cannot believe that it still exist after so many versions of iOS and macOS. Some background: my music files are ripped from CD and I manage music manually from iTunes. Now, I deleted the music files from Music in iPhone. Basically, there is no trace of the music files in the Music app in iPhone. Now, when I connect my iPhone to my Mac and open iTunes. Under "On My Device" , then "Music", the music files are still showing up. However, when I click on them to play within iTunes, they cannot be played and there will be an icon with an exclamation mark next to the entry. This behaviour has been happening since day one when I was using iPhone 3 till now. I cannot believe it it still happening, very frustrating.

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014), macOS Sierra (10.12), iPhone iOS 10

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 6:35 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 31, 2017 10:36 PM in response to leech74

I was having this same problem and was able to find a solution.

Make sure you phone is plugged in while doing this.

Click the iPhone logo (next to the Music/ Movies/ TV Shows drop down box)
This should take you the the Summary tab
Scroll down to Options
Check "Manually manage music and videos" (uncheck everything else if it fits for you)
Click Done at the bottom right screen
Lastly, follow everything else that it asks you and click whatever is to your preference

This worked for me.

I hope if helps for you.

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Answer 2

leech74 Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 21, 2016 10:40 PM in response to Cheese1357

First of all, this started happening way back in the stone age when there was no cloud yet. Second, I do not use the cloud service at all, turn everything off, Hence, no reason why the songs are in the clouds. In fact, I am 100% sure they are not. As far as I can explain, I believe the files are gone but the database record/entry are left behind. iPhone Music ignores the entries because the files are not there but iTunes reads and displays the entries. However, when I clicked on it, it does not play because the files are not there and hence display an exclamation icon.

What I cannot believe is there are not more ppl with the same problem. Probably because everyone either get music from Apple Music and never connect their phone to the computer or they do not manually manage the music files on their phone through iTunes - they sync their music files instead. Actually, the problem does not exist if I use iTunes to sync music files (I believe Apple will probably recommend that) . But then what is the point of having the setting/option to manually manage music files. I have live with this problem for a long time but after I upgraded to Mac Sierra and iOS 10, I just felt that it is so ridiculous that this problem still exists. I am almost 100% sure that this a a bug if not a flaw left over in the design.

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Answer 3

Sep 21, 2016 6:49 PM in response to leech74

Hello, and welcome to Apple Support Communities! I believe that iTunes is telling you that the songs aren't on your iPhone but, the songs are in the cloud. For more information about deleting music, please click or tap this link: Delete songs and music videos from your iCloud Music Library - Apple Support I hope this helps!

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Answer 4

Jan 28, 2018 6:02 AM in response to tomtomtcv

Thanks bro. it was really helpful.

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Answer 5

Jan 31, 2017 10:34 PM in response to leech74

I was having this same problem and was able to find a solution.

Make sure you phone is plugged in while doing this.

Click the iPhone logo (next to the Music/ Movies/ TV Shows drop down box)
This should take you the the Summary tab
Scroll down to Options
Check "Manually manage music and videos" (uncheck everything else if it fits for you)
Click Done at the bottom right screen
Lastly, follow everything else that it asks you and click whatever is to your preference

This worked for me.

I hope if helps for you.

Reply

Answer 6

Fs23

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2017 6:07 PM in response to leech74

I'm having the same exact issues with the added caveat of not being able to put the "deleted" music back on my phone, it just shows up in my music in itunes over and over again, some help would be ap

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Answer 7

Jul 22, 2017 9:14 PM in response to tomtomtcv

it works for me , thanks

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Answer 8

BazliB

Level 1

4 points

Dec 23, 2017 5:10 AM in response to tomtomtcv

This works for me but the it makes all the music in your iphone cleared. still, it a good way to clear from your itunes.

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