How to Fix Apple Music Not Syncing

Part 1. Why Is Apple Music Not Syncing?

Part 2. How to Fix Apple Music Not Syncing

When Apple Music isn't syncing, it can be incredibly frustrating. You just want to enjoy your favorite tunes without any hassle. Here are some simple solutions to help you get your Apple Music back in sync and improve its performance.

Method 1: Check Your Internet Connection

This one's easy to overlook, but as explained above, a stable internet connection is crucial for syncing Apple Music. A weak or unstable connection can mess with syncing. Try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data, or toggle Airplane mode on and off for about 30 seconds. That usually resets your connection. Once you're back online, check if your Apple Music library updates properly.

Method 2: Verify Apple ID and Active Apple Music Subscription

Sometimes syncing issues happen simply because your Apple ID isn't signed in correctly, or your subscription has expired. On iPhone/iPad, go to Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions to confirm Apple Music is active. On Mac or Windows, open iTunes or the Music app, then Account > View My Account. Once your Apple ID and subscription are correct, your library should be ready to sync.

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. Open iTunes (Windows) or the Music app (Mac).
2. Click on Account in the menu bar at the top.
3. Select View My Account and sign in if prompted.
4. Under Settings, click Manage next to the Subscriptions option.
5. Make sure your Apple Music subscription is active. If it shows expired or inactive, renew it.

For Mobile (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
3. Tap Subscriptions.
4. Verify that Apple Music is listed as active.
5. If it is inactive, follow the prompts to renew or reactivate your subscription.

Method 3: Enable Sync Library on All Devices

Apple Music relies on the Sync Library setting (also called iCloud Music Library) to keep your content updated across devices. Go to Settings > Music, and make sure Sync Library is turned on. If it's already on, turn it off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on again. This quick refresh often resolves background sync issues.

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. Open iTunes or Music App:
   • On Windows, open iTunes.
   • On Mac, open the Music app.
2. On the menu bar at the top of your screen or the iTunes/Music window, click on Edit (Windows) or Music (Mac).
3. Select Preferences.
4. In the Preferences window, go to the General tab.
5. Check the box next to Sync Library (or iCloud Music Library on Windows versions).



6. Click OK to save your changes.
7. If Sync Library is already enabled, uncheck the box, wait a few seconds, then check the box again.
8. Click OK to save your changes.
9. Close and reopen iTunes or the Music app to ensure the changes take effect.

For iPhone:

1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Music.
3. Ensure the toggle switch next to Sync Library is turned on (green).
4. If Sync Library is already enabled, toggle the switch off, wait a few seconds, then toggle it back on.
5. Close and reopen the Music app to ensure the changes take effect.

Method 4: Update Apple Music App and Device OS

Still having trouble? Check for software updates. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Then open the App Store and make sure your Apple Music app is updated too. Updates often include bug fixes that help with syncing problems behind the scenes.

For iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and is plugged into a power source during the update process.
5. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
6. Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
7. Scroll down to find any available updates under Available Updates.
8. If Apple Music is listed, tap Update next to it. If it's not listed, the app is already up to date.

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. Update macOS or Windows OS:
   • On Mac: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences. Click Software Update to check for and install any available macOS updates.
   • On Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
2. Update Music or iTunes:
   • On Mac:
     1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
     2. Click on Updates in the sidebar.
     3. If Apple Music is listed, click Update next to it. If it's not listed, the app is already up to date.
   • On Windwos:

     

     1. Open iTunes on your Windows computer.
     2. Click on Help in the top menu bar.
     3. Select Check for Updates. Follow the prompts to download and install any available updates.

Method 5: Check Current Syncing Processes in Apple Music

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. Open iTunes (Windows) or the Music app (Mac).
2. Go to the Library tab.
3. Check if iCloud Music Library is processing any items. Once it finishes, your library should be fully synced.

For Mobile (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Music app.
2. Go to Library > Songs or Playlists.
3. Wait a few moments to see if your library updates. Any recent changes should appear automatically.

Method 6: Restart Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. Close iTunes or the Music app completely.
   • On Mac: Click the Apple menu > Restart.
   • On Windows: click Start > Power > Restart.
2. Reopen iTunes or the Music app and check if your library syncs.

For Mobile (iPhone/iPad):

1. Press and hold the Power button (and Volume Up on newer models) until the slide to power off slider appears.
2. Slide to power off and wait about 30 seconds.
3. Press and hold the Power button again to turn the device back on.
4. Open the Music app to confirm that syncing works.

Method 7: Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign Back In

Sometimes your Apple ID just needs a little reset. Sign out on your device, then sign back in using the same Apple ID you use on your computer or other Apple devices. If they don't match, your music won't sync—so double-check!

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. To Sign Out:

   

   1. On the menu bar at the top of your screen or the iTunes/Music window, click on Account.
   2. Select Sign Out from the drop-down menu.
   3. Confirm that you want to sign out if prompted.
2. To Sign Back In:
   1. After signing out, go back to Account on the menu bar.
   2. Select Sign In from the drop-down menu.
   3. Enter your Apple ID and password, then click Sign In.
   4. Ensure you are using the same Apple ID that is signed in on your iPhone.
   5. Close and reopen iTunes or the Music app to ensure the changes take effect.

For iPhone:

1. To Sign Out:
   1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
   2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen to open Apple ID settings.
   3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Sign Out.
   4. You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID password to turn off Find My iPhone.
   5. Choose which data you want to keep a copy of on your device, then tap Sign Out in the upper right corner.
   6. Confirm that you want to sign out.
2. To Sign Back In:
   1. After signing out, tap Sign In to your iPhone.
   2. Enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Next.
   3. Close and reopen the Music app to ensure the changes take effect.

Method 8: Check Apple Music and iCloud System Status

If certain songs still aren't showing up, open the Apple Music app or iTunes and look for cloud icons next to your songs. If some of your songs have a cloud icon with an exclamation mark, it indicates an issue with uploading or syncing. If they come with a waiting mark, they're waiting to sync and won't appear on other devices.

If the songs were uploaded from your computer, check your local storage to locate any missing files. Open your music folder and make sure those files are still there.

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. Open iTunes on your Windows computer or the Music app on your Mac.
2. Click on Library in the top menu or sidebar.
3. Ensure that the iCloud Status column is visible. If not, right-click on the column headers and select iCloud Status or iCloud Download to add it.
4. Look for the following cloud icons next to your songs and resolve them:

   

Method 9: Refresh or Update iCloud Music Library

Sometimes iTunes or the Music app will prompt you to update your iCloud Music Library—go ahead and do it. This manual refresh helps clear up sync issues and makes sure your library is current across all devices.

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. Launch iTunes on your Windows computer or the Music app on your Mac.
2. Click on File in the top menu.
3. Select Library from the dropdown menu.
4. Click on Update iCloud Music Library.
5. iTunes or the Music app will begin updating your iCloud Music Library. This process involves uploading any new or changed songs to iCloud and syncing them with your devices.

After the update is complete, verify if your music library is now syncing properly with your iPhone. Check both the iTunes/Music app and your iPhone to ensure that the music appears as expected and that any syncing issues are resolved.

Method 10: Contact Apple Support if Problems Persist

If none of the previous fixes work, it might be time to call in the experts. Apple Support can help figure out whether there's a deeper issue with your Apple ID, subscription, or iCloud Music Library. You can reach them through chat, phone, or the Apple Support app. Have your Apple ID, device info, and subscription details ready. Once you're in touch, follow their guidance, and your library should start syncing again.

Part 3. How to Force Sync Your Apple Music Library

If you want to force your Apple Music library to sync, that works too. First, turn off Sync Library, then turn it back on. For extra control, connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and sync manually through iTunes or Finder. This helps ensure changes like newly added songs or deleted tracks are reflected.

For Desktop (Windows/Mac):

1. Open iTunes on Windows or the Music app on Mac.
2. Go to Edit > Preferences (Windows) or Music > Preferences (Mac).
3. Select the General tab.
4. Uncheck the box for Sync Library and click OK to save changes.
5. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
6. In iTunes or the Music app, select your device from the sidebar or the top menu.
7. Click on the Sync button in iTunes or the Music app. This will force a sync between your device and your iTunes/Music library, updating any recent changes.
8. After syncing is complete, return to the Preferences menu.
9. Recheck the box for Sync Library and click OK.
10. Check your iPhone or iPad to ensure that any recent changes, additions, or removals are reflected in your music library.

Part 4. Best Ways to Back Up and Sync Apple Music Library Anywhere

Converting your entire Apple Music library to MP3 format can offer several benefits, especially in preventing potential syncing issues. With MP3 files, you have the flexibility to manually sync your library anywhere, even on unauthorized devices, even after your subscription expires. One tool that can assist you in this process is ViWizard Apple Music Converter.

Why ViWizard Apple Music Converter?

ViWizard Apple Music Converter is a professional tool designed to download and convert Apple Music to MP3, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, and other universal formats. It bypasses DRM protection, allowing you to play your Apple Music on any device without limitations. With ViWizard, you can convert your music library to MP3 format easily, maintaining the original audio quality.

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

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• Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
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Summary

We have explored 8 solutions to fix the Apple Music library not syncing. The most common failure scenario is a network problem. So make sure all your devices are in an active network. ViWizard Audio Converter is a powerful tool to free Apple Music files. Start to enjoy your Apple Music at your will by clicking the download button below. If you still have questions about the article, please leave your comments below, we will reply to you ASAP.