Fixed: 'This Song is Not Synced Across Your Devices' on Apple Music/iTunes

Part 1. Basic Checks and Fixes for "This Song Is Not Synced Across Devices" on Apple Music

Start by confirming that all your devices - iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows PC - are set up correctly. If settings aren't configured properly, you may encounter the error "This song is not synced across your devices" when using Apple Music.

1. Check Apple System Status

The first thing to check is Apple's System Status. Your Apple Music library relies on Apple's servers, and if there's an outage or maintenance, songs may not sync across devices. You can check Apple's system status online to see if iCloud Music, Apple Music, or iTunes services are experiencing issues. If the servers are down, there's nothing wrong with your devices - it's just a matter of waiting for Apple to resolve the problem.

2. Check Internet Connection

Next, make sure your internet connection is stable. Syncing music requires a reliable connection to Apple's servers. Slow, intermittent, or disconnected Wi-Fi or mobile data can prevent songs from appearing on other devices. On Windows, click the network icon in the taskbar and try loading a webpage. On Mac, check the Wi-Fi icon and, if needed, move closer to the router or switch to a 5 GHz network. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and make sure you're on the correct network. Toggling Airplane Mode for 30 seconds can also refresh the connection. Keep in mind that VPNs or firewalls may block Apple Music from syncing.

3. Check Apple ID

Your Apple ID is central to your music library. Playlists, downloads, and favorites are all tied to the account you're signed into. Make sure every device uses the same Apple ID. You can verify your Apple ID on iPhone/iPad via Settings > [Your Name], on Mac under System Settings > Apple ID, and on Windows through iTunes > Account > View My Account. Additionally, switching between accounts can sometimes create gaps in your library and prevent songs from syncing as expected.

4. Check Apple Music Subscription

Sync Library is a paid feature, so your subscription must be active. Songs from Apple Music require a current subscription to sync across devices. Without an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription, songs may remain on one device but fail to appear on others. Verify your subscription status and renew it if it has expired or lapsed.

5. Check Sync Library

If your subscription is active, make sure Sync Library (or iCloud Music Library) is enabled on each device. This keeps your content consistent across devices. If it's already on, try toggling it off and back on to refresh the sync process, which often resolves stuck songs.

6. Check iCloud Status

Not all tracks are immediately available in iCloud - some may still be uploading or processing. A cloud icon with an exclamation mark indicates a song hasn't synced or has a minor issue. On iPhone/iPad, browse your library for cloud icons. On Mac or Windows, open the Music app (or iTunes on Windows), go to Songs, enable Cloud Status, and review any tracks with warnings. Troubleshoot these songs individually, then refresh your iCloud Music Library to update your library.

7. Check Downloaded Songs

Sometimes songs already downloaded to your device may fail to sync because of local issues or unsupported formats. Check your downloaded tracks by going to Settings > Music > Downloads. Make sure the songs are fully downloaded. For songs downloaded in Dolby Atmos, delete them first and disable Download in Dolby Atmos if needed.

8. Check Problem Songs

Some songs may no longer be available, have different versions, or include DRM protection. Personal uploads from other sources may not be detected or readable on your device. Check the original files, re-add or convert them if necessary, and see if they now sync correctly.

9. Check Devices and Apple Music App

Finally, make sure all devices and the Apple Music app are up to date. Outdated devices or apps can cause syncing errors. Updating your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows iTunes ensures you have the latest fixes and features, reducing the chance of sync problems.

Part 2. Advanced Fixes for "This Song Is Not Synced Across Devices" on Apple Music

If the basic checks don't resolve the issue, try the advanced solutions below to fix "This song is not synced across your devices" on Apple Music.

Fix 1: Restart Your Devices

Sometimes the simplest fix works best. Restarting your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC can refresh the system and resolve glitches that prevent songs from syncing. Turn off your device, wait a minute, then turn it back on.

iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

Step 1 Press and hold the side or top button until the power-off slider appears.

Step 2 Drag the slider to turn off your device.

Step 3 Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the button again to turn your device back on.

Step 4 Open Apple Music and check if your songs are now syncing.

Windows PC

Step 1 Close iTunes or Apple Music completely.

Step 2 Click Start > Power > Restart.

Step 3 Once restarted, open iTunes or Apple Music and check your library.

Mac

Step 1 Close Apple Music completely.

Step 2 Click the Apple menu > Restart.

Step 3 After restarting, open Apple Music and see if your library syncs correctly.

Fix 2: Sign Out and Back In to Apple ID

If restarting doesn't help, signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in can reset your connection to Apple's servers. You may also want to restart your device before signing back in to ensure the process completes smoothly.

iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

Step 1 Open Settings.

Step 2 Tap your name at the top.

Step 3 Scroll down and tap Media & Purchases > Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted.

Step 4 Go back to Settings > Sign In and enter your Apple ID credentials.

Step 5 Open Apple Music and check if your library is loading properly.

Windows (via iTunes)

Step 1 Open iTunes.

Step 2 Go to Account > Sign Out.

Step 3 Close iTunes, reopen it, then go to Account > Sign In and enter your Apple ID and password.

Mac (Apple Music app)

Step 1 Open Apple Music.

Step 2 Click Account > Sign Out.

Step 3 Close and reopen Apple Music, then go to Account > Sign In and log in with your Apple ID.

Fix 3: Refresh iCloud Music Library / Sync Library

Refreshing iCloud Music Library manually can fix minor syncing errors. It helps Apple Music match personal uploads to iCloud, rebuild your library, and clear any stuck metadata.

iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

Step 1 Open Settings > Music.

Step 2 Toggle Sync Library off.

Step 3 Wait 10–15 seconds, then toggle Sync Library back on.

Step 4 Open Apple Music and check if the songs are now synced.

Windows/Mac

Step 1 Open iTunes or Apple Music.

Step 2 Go to Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or Music > Preferences > General (Mac).

Step 3 Uncheck Sync Library, click OK, then re-check Sync Library and click OK again.

Step 4 Allow time for the library to refresh.

Fix 4: Wait for Sync to Finish

Large libraries, new uploads, or multiple devices syncing simultaneously can take time. Even if all settings are correct, songs may need minutes - or even hours - to appear on every device. Make sure your devices are connected to a stable internet connection and give Apple Music time to complete the process.

iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

Step 1 Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into power.

Step 2 Open Apple Music and leave the app open for a few minutes to allow syncing.

Step 3 Check if previously missing songs appear after some time.

Windows/Mac

Step 1 Ensure iTunes or Apple Music is connected to the internet.

Step 2 Give the app several minutes to finish syncing the library.

Step 3 Check the library again once the sync completes.

Fix 5: Reset Sync Library

If songs still aren't syncing, a full reset of Sync Library may be necessary. Turn off iCloud Music Library on affected devices, then turn it back on. This forces Apple Music to recheck your songs and update missing tracks or personal uploads without affecting downloaded music.

iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

Step 1 Open Settings > Music.

Step 2 Turn off Sync Library and choose Keep Music when prompted.

Step 3 Wait a few seconds and turn Sync Library back on.

Step 4 Open Apple Music and verify if all songs are now synced.

Windows/Mac

Step 1 Open iTunes or Apple Music.

Step 2 Go to Preferences > General, uncheck Sync Library, and click OK.

Step 3 Close and reopen the app.

Step 4 Go back to Preferences > General, recheck Sync Library, and click OK.

Step 5 Wait for the library to fully reload.

Fix 6: Force Sync Using Mac or PC

For manually imported songs like MP3s, syncing via a computer can help. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC, open Music or iTunes, and manually sync your library. This ensures all files - including manual uploads - are recognized and transferred correctly. Even if the cloud shows "not synced," a local sync often resolves the issue immediately.

iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

Step 1 Connect your device to your Mac or Windows PC using a USB cable.

Step 2 Open iTunes (Windows or older macOS) or Finder (Mac Catalina or later).

Step 3 Select your device, then go to Music and ensure Sync Music is checked.

Step 4 Click Sync to manually force your library to sync.

Step 5 After syncing, check Apple Music on your device.

Part 3. Best Practices to Prevent "This Song Is Not Synced Across Devices" on Apple Music

To avoid syncing issues and ensure your music is always accessible across devices, it's a good idea to create local backups of your Apple Music library. One effective way to do this is by using a tool like ViWizard Apple Music Converter, which lets you save your entire library - including songs, albums, playlists, and podcasts - directly to your computer. ViWizard supports common formats such as MP3, M4A, FLAC, AIFF, and WAV, preserving lossless audio and all metadata.

Essentially, you're creating local copies of your Apple Music library on your Windows PC or Mac, which can then be transferred using various methods, including USB connection, iCloud, Google Drive, AirDrop, and more. Even if errors like "This song is not synced across your devices" persist, this approach gives you a reliable backup and another option to access your music.

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