How to Fix Split Albums in iTunes & Apple Music

Part 1: Why Albums Split in iTunes or Apple Music

Even after many updates, album splitting is still a common issue in iTunes and the Music app on iPhone. It has become more noticeable for some users after the iOS 17 update. This can happen with albums from your local library as well as albums purchased from the iTunes Store.

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  Metadata Inconsistencies

  One of the most common reasons albums split in iTunes or Apple Music is inconsistent metadata. If album titles, track numbers, or album artist names differ even slightly, iTunes may treat tracks as separate albums. Small differences like extra spaces or punctuation can cause this. Making sure all tracks have the same metadata often resolves the problem.

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  Complex Compilation Albums

  Albums featuring multiple artists can also split. If the Album Artist field is blank or inconsistent, iTunes may treat each track as a separate album. For non-compilation albums, uncheck the "Compilation" box and make sure the Album Artist is the same for all tracks.

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  iOS 17 Update Changes

  The iOS 17 update changed how albums are handled in some cases, which may lead to splitting. Some users noticed new issues even if their albums were previously fine. If you are on iOS 17 and see split albums, try checking for updates or temporarily turning off iCloud Music Library and resyncing your music.

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  Multiple Versions of the Same Album

  Different editions of the same album, like deluxe or remastered versions, can cause iTunes to separate them. Differences in track lists or album titles may lead to splitting. Using the "Other Versions" feature in Apple Music can help you manage these editions, though it does not automatically fix the split.

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  Inconsistent Album Artist Fields

  Even small differences in the Album Artist field, such as "The Beatles" versus "Beatles," can make iTunes treat albums as separate entries. Make sure the Album Artist is the same for every track. Check the "Compilation" box for compilations, or leave it unchecked for standard albums.

Part 2: How to Fix a Split Album in iTunes (Step-by-Step)

Albums often split in iTunes or Apple Music because of inconsistent metadata, such as differences in the Album, Artist, or Album Artist fields, or when "Part of a compilation" is set incorrectly. The steps in this section help align track information, compilation settings, and library organization so albums appear correctly. Following them carefully can help you avoid common errors when fixing albums on your own.

Step 0: Back Up Your iTunes Library (Optional but Recommended)

Before you start, make a copy of your iTunes Library file and the iTunes Media folder. This keeps your music safe if something goes wrong while editing. Think of it as a safety net. If a track gets lost or a change does not stick, you can always restore your library.

Step 1 Close the iTunes app on your computer.

Step 2 Open your iTunes folder (usually C:\Users\[Your Name]\Music\iTunes\ on Windows or ~/Music/iTunes/ on Mac).

Step 3 Find the file called iTunes Library.itl and the folder named iTunes Media.

Step 4 Copy both to a safe location, such as an external drive like a USB drive or another folder on your computer. This ensures you can restore your library if anything goes wrong.

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Step 1: Check and Edit Track Metadata

Instead of fixing songs one by one, select all the tracks in the split album. Right-click and choose Get Info. Make sure the Album Name, Track Numbers, and Disc Numbers are exactly the same for every track. iTunes groups albums based on these fields, so even small differences can cause splits. Doing it for all tracks at once saves time and keeps everything consistent.

Step 1 Open iTunes on your computer.

Step 2 Go to Library → Albums and locate the split album you want to fix.

Step 3 Select all tracks in the album on Windows by holding Ctrl and clicking each track, or on Mac by holding Command and clicking each track. You can also select the first track, hold Shift, and click the last track to select them all.

Step 4 Right-click the selected tracks and choose Get Info. In the Details tab, check that the Album Name, Track Numbers, and Disc Numbers are consistent across all tracks. Make any edits needed and ensure there are no discrepancies such as different spellings or formatting.

Step 5 Click OK to save the changes.

Step 2: Set the Album Artist

Even with the Album Name correct, albums may still split if the Album Artist field is different on some tracks. In Get Info → Info, set the Album Artist for all songs. For normal albums, use the main artist. For compilations or soundtracks, use "Various Artists". This helps iTunes group all songs under one album.

Step 1 With all tracks still selected, right-click and choose Get Info.

Step 2 In the Details tab, locate the Album Artist field near the top.

Step 3 Enter the same Album Artist for all tracks, using the main artist for regular albums or "Various Artists" for compilations or soundtracks.

Step 4 Click OK to save your changes.

Step 3: Correct Compilation Settings

Multi-artist albums can be tricky. iTunes handles them differently depending on whether they are marked as compilations. Go to Get Info → Options and check Album is a compilation of songs by various artists if needed. This ensures tracks from multiple artists appear together in a single album instead of being split into separate entries.

Step 1 Keep all tracks selected, right-click, and choose Get Info.

Step 2 Click the Options tab at the top of the window.

Step 3 Look for the option Album is a compilation of songs by various artists.

Step 4 If the album is a multi-artist compilation, check this box. If it is a regular album, uncheck it.

Step 5 Click OK to save the changes.

Step 4: Consolidate Files (Optional)

Go to File → Library → Organize Library → Consolidate Files. This makes copies of all your tracks in the main iTunes Media folder. If your files are spread across different folders on your computer, iTunes might still split albums even after fixing metadata. Consolidating keeps everything organized and easy for iTunes to find.

Step 1 Go to File → Library → Organize Library in iTunes.

Step 2 Check Consolidate Files and click OK.

Step 3 iTunes will copy all tracks into the central iTunes Media folder, usually C:\Users\[Your Name]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media on Windows or ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media on Mac, so the app can locate them easily.

Step 5: Refresh Your iTunes Library

Close and reopen iTunes. This forces it to read all your changes and regroup the album correctly. It is a small step but ensures that everything you edited is applied properly.

Step 1 Close iTunes completely.

Step 2 Reopen iTunes and go back to Library → Albums to verify the album now appears as a single, complete entry.

Step 6: Remove Duplicate Tracks (Optional)

After fixing the album, check for duplicate tracks with File → Library → Show Duplicate Items or Show Exact Duplicates. Remove unnecessary copies to keep your library clean. Make sure to keep the best version of each track so you do not accidentally delete higher quality files.

Step 1 Go to File → Library → Show Duplicate Items, or hold Alt/Option and choose Show Exact Duplicates.

Step 2 Review duplicate tracks carefully, checking details like file size, bitrate, and version.

Step 3 Select duplicates you do not want and press Delete. Choose whether to remove them from the library only or delete the files from your computer.

Part 3: Other Fixes If an Album Still Splits in iTunes or Apple Music

If an album still splits after following the main steps, there are additional solutions that can help. These methods cover other situations, like syncing issues, multiple versions of an album, or library glitches, and can guide you toward a fully organized music collection.

Fix 1: Re-add the Album to iTunes

If metadata gets corrupted and causes albums to split, try re-adding the albums to iTunes. Re-importing them often resets the organization and clears up the split. This is a simple way to fix the problem.

Step 1 Open iTunes on your desktop.

Step 2 Delete the affected album from your library by right-clicking on the album and selecting "Delete from Library".

Step 3 Re-import the album back into iTunes by clicking File > Add to Library.

Step 4 Navigate to the album in your file explorer, select it, and click Open to add it back to iTunes.

Step 5 Ensure that the metadata (Artist, Album Artist, etc.) is correct during the re-import process to avoid further splitting.

Fix 2: Rename and Resync the Album

If your albums are still split, try renaming tracks or albums. Sometimes, inconsistencies in naming cause confusion. A quick rename and resync with iTunes can often solve the issue, restoring your albums to their proper order.

Step 1 Open iTunes and find the split album.

Step 2 Rename the album or track by right-clicking on the album or track and selecting "Song Info".

Step 3 In the Details tab, adjust the album title or artist name to be consistent across all tracks.

Step 4 Click OK to save the changes.

Step 5 Resync your music to your device by connecting your iPhone or iPad and syncing the library through iTunes.

Fix 3: Sign Out and Sign Back Into iTunes or Apple Music

If your albums are splitting due to syncing issues, signing out and signing back into iTunes or Apple Music can help reset everything. This refreshes the connection and syncs your library properly, often fixing the split album issue.

Step 1 Open iTunes on your desktop.

Step 2 Go to the Account menu at the top and select "Sign Out".

Step 3 Close iTunes completely.

Step 4 Reopen iTunes and sign back in with your Apple ID under Account > "Sign In". This action refreshes your iCloud Music Library, potentially fixing any album splitting caused by syncing problems.

Fix 4: Change Language and Region Settings

Sometimes, changing your language or region settings in iTunes can fix album splitting. This is especially helpful if the album is region-locked or has inconsistent metadata based on your location. After adjusting the settings, resync your library and the problem may resolve.

Step 1 Open iTunes on your desktop.

Step 2 Navigate to Edit > Preferences (on Mac: iTunes > Preferences).

Step 3 In the General tab, click Language and Region.

Step 4 Change the Language and/or Region to match the location where the album is primarily available.

Step 5 Click OK to save the changes.

Step 6 Resync your library or re-add the album to your iTunes library to apply the changes.

Fix 5: Join Tracks

If tracks are split, use the "Join Tracks" feature to group them together under one album. This works when the tracks are split due to metadata differences, and many users find it helpful.

Step 1 Open iTunes and navigate to the album with split tracks.

Step 2 Select all the split tracks that belong to the same album (use Shift or Ctrl to select multiple tracks).

Step 3 Right-click on one of the selected tracks and choose "Song Info".

Step 4 In the Info tab, ensure that the "Part of a compilation" checkbox is unchecked.

Step 5 Click OK to save the changes.

Step 6 With all tracks still selected, right-click and choose "Join Tracks". This will merge the selected tracks into a single album entry.

Fix 6: Merge Albums

If your albums are split into separate entries, you can manually merge them by organizing the tracks properly. This can help bring the album back together as one.

Step 1 Open iTunes and navigate to the Albums section under Music.

Step 2 Locate the split albums in your library and find the tracks that belong together.

Step 3 Select the tracks from the split albums that should be grouped together.

Step 4 Drag and drop the selected tracks onto the album entry you want to merge them with.

Step 5 If necessary, make sure the album metadata (Artist, Album Artist, etc.) matches across all tracks before merging.

Fix 7: Remove and Re-import Albums

If other fixes don't work, try removing and re-importing the albums. This will reset the album's metadata and organization, giving you a fresh start. It's a good last resort if nothing else works.

Step 1 Open iTunes on your desktop.

Step 2 Navigate to the Albums section under Music.

Step 3 Right-click on the album you want to remove and select "Delete from Library".

Step 4 Choose "Remove Download" or "Delete" (depending on whether you want to keep the file or remove it completely).

Step 5 After the album has been removed, re-import the album back into iTunes by clicking File > Add to Library.

Step 6 Navigate to the album in your file explorer, select it, and click Open to add it back to iTunes.

Step 7 Check the album metadata during the re-import process to ensure it is correct and consistent (Artist, Album Artist, Album Title, etc.).

Conclusion

By harnessing the capabilities of ViWizard Apple Music Converter, you can take charge of your iTunes music library and enhance your overall listening experience. Say goodbye to the limitations of iTunes and embrace the freedom to enjoy your music collection wherever and whenever you please.