Is this an iTunes sync bug?
I have an iPhone5 running iOS6.1 with iTunes 11.0.1.12 running on a Windows 7 PC. Here's the scenario: I have all my books sync'd up properly between my phone and iTunes. If I use my phone to download a book I previously purchased (the book icon has the little iCloud symbol on it), it looks like the linkage is broken. Meaning, deleting or downloading the book on my phone is no longer relected in iTunes and vice versa - checking or unchecking the book in iTunes for sync'ing doesn't result in anything happening on my phone.
Is this a bug, or intentional? If intentional, what's the reasoning? Since I would think most of what you do is done through your phone rather than iTunes, it seems this just results in the two getting out of sync.
Yes it is iTunes used to transfer purchases from the device as part of syncing.
The workaround is from the top menu (Ctrl B to turn it on in Windows)
File > Devices > Transfer Purchases from this phone
Similar Messages
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ITunes sync bug causes space on iPod/iPhone to be gradually lost over time
This topic pertains to iTunes for Windows version 10.1.1 and most likely all prior versions. At the time of this writing 10.1.1 is the latest version.
I have clearly identified a bug with the procedure iTunes uses specifically to copy Music over to the iPod and iPhone units. A detailed description with steps to reproduce follows, but first the summary: Space is gradually wasted by iTunes erroneously copying certain tracks twice! The 2nd copy is not recorded in the itunesDB file, and space wasted on these duplicate tracks is counted under "Other" in the iTunes capacity screen. It is impossible to ever retrieve this space from the portable device without doing a factory restore on the Summary screen, which of course will also wipe out all your Apps, Videos, Photos, Music, etc at the same time. Hardly an ideal workaround!!
Details:
When several tracks are to be copied to the portable device; either an iPod or an iPhone, and I have successfully reproduced this on both an iPod nano 5th Generation and an iPhone 4, sometimes a track is accidentally copied twice while, one of the selected tracks isn't copied at all. The user will notice when this occurs, that during their sync, one of their songs just seems to be missing. Syncing again will then copy the track which was missed during the last sync, but unfortunately, the 2nd copy of the track that was erroneously duplicated remains. The track which is duplicated appears in the hidden folder on your iPod file system as both the AAAA.mp3 filename structure and the <track name>.mp3 file name. Oddly enough, when this bug occurs, the itunesDB does not associate to the AAAA.mp3 like it normally would, but to the <track name>.mp3 and the AAAA.mp3 file is just wasted space on your device which cannot be recovered without manually deleting this file (a task which is impossible on an iPhone without hacking the device).
It is easy to reproduce this. This is very obvious if you start with an empty, new iPod. Sync a bunch of tracks to your iPod (the more the better), in fact this cannot happen if you only sync 1 track at a time, then check to see if the number of tracks is equal to the number of tracks that should be there. i.e. did the sync seem to just miss 1 or 2 tracks?
Make sure "Enable disk mode" is checked for your device, and browse to (Drive Letter):\iPod_Control\Music\ and you will eventually find that exact number of files which have actual track names instead of the standard AAAA.mp3 type filename. Next, in iTunes, remove ALL songs and any other forms of audio (such as podcasts), from the device. Your music folder techincally should now be empty, but as you browse through the hidden Music folder in the device, you will stumble upon a couple of files that remain. These are the orphaned files I've been talking about.
The effect:
Over time, with repeated additions and removal of songs from one's device, these files accumulate. The iPod owner, none the wiser, will start to wonder why "Other" in the iTunes capacity display is continuing to grow. I was highly suspicious after cleaning out my iPod entirely, that "Other" was still showing 1.6GB!! I browsed through the filesystem wondering why which led me to discover tons of various music files in the music folder which shouldn't have been there (after all, iTunes shows no music stored on this device).
The Fix:
Some sort of bug is causing this erroneous duplicate copy to be generated, and then the database to actually reference the erroneous copy instead of the AAAA.mp3 copy. One workaround iTunes could actually build in some sort of enumeration function that scans all of it's internal F## folders in the Music folder looking for these orphaned files, and simply erase them if they are not contained in the itunesDB. Pushing out this type of behavior into a new iTunes release would also fix the problem for all the people who've already racked up GBs of wasted space as that space would suddenly become available again for apps, tracks, and other files.Two steps forward - one step back.
Thanks to insight from others here I enabled disk use and went to [drive letter]/iPod/control/music
There I saw a long list of folders called F00, F01, F02 etc.
In my case there were 49 of them with roughly 400 files in each folder.
The bulk of the files were named ABCD.mp4 down to ZYXW.mp4.
In each of the fifty folders were, as predicted above, a handful of song files labeled as such - ie borntorun.mp3 or iseered.mp4
I opened each and every one of the folders, deleted the files with real names and synced the pod.
On my 120 GB the yellow "other" fell dramatically, down to under 1 GB. Which is under 1% of the total. Not great but acceptable.
So far, so good.
Now that I had fresh space I set about adding new songs to the pod.
Imagine my disappointment when I rechecked the F00 to F49 folders and saw that song name files had crept back in. Not as many, and I was able to delete them quickly and keep "other" under 1 GB. But still. It's like having crab grass or rodents.
Is there any hint that iTunes might address the underlying cause?
In the gripping process of deleting four or five files from each folder I noted that some specific files came up again and again. Just for laughs I'm going to delete and re-add those songs in case that helps. -
I have a bug with iOS5!!! When i sync music by date added, music won't load on iPhone4 in the same order that's in iTunes on my computer.
Anyone else have this problem?Two steps forward - one step back.
Thanks to insight from others here I enabled disk use and went to [drive letter]/iPod/control/music
There I saw a long list of folders called F00, F01, F02 etc.
In my case there were 49 of them with roughly 400 files in each folder.
The bulk of the files were named ABCD.mp4 down to ZYXW.mp4.
In each of the fifty folders were, as predicted above, a handful of song files labeled as such - ie borntorun.mp3 or iseered.mp4
I opened each and every one of the folders, deleted the files with real names and synced the pod.
On my 120 GB the yellow "other" fell dramatically, down to under 1 GB. Which is under 1% of the total. Not great but acceptable.
So far, so good.
Now that I had fresh space I set about adding new songs to the pod.
Imagine my disappointment when I rechecked the F00 to F49 folders and saw that song name files had crept back in. Not as many, and I was able to delete them quickly and keep "other" under 1 GB. But still. It's like having crab grass or rodents.
Is there any hint that iTunes might address the underlying cause?
In the gripping process of deleting four or five files from each folder I noted that some specific files came up again and again. Just for laughs I'm going to delete and re-add those songs in case that helps. -
I am having a lot of problems with my Apple TV, some videos are uploaded correctly and other, almost new ones show a message error: THE SELECTED VIDEO COULD NOT BE PLAYED. THE FORMAT WAS NOT RECOGNIZED.
Also when y try to sync Itunes version 7.3.2 crashes.
To solve this issue I have to install an older version of itunes, I have found version 7.2 in here: http://www.oldapps.com/downloadiTunesmac.php
Delete file itunes from applications and then install the old version.Ramiro,
What is the source of the video you are having problems with ?
Schrosa
Have you tried the following:
1. Open itunes and select a troublesome tune/movie.
2. Choose file/show in Finder and note the location of the original file.
3. Delete the tune/movie from your itunes list (not in the finder) choose 'remove' and 'keep files' when prompted
4. Drag the original file from the Finder back to itunes.
Does this help -
Itunes sync: 44 items could not be synced see itunes for more information
I have an Iphone 4s, itunes lates version 10.5.1.42 running on 32 bit widows 7 pro.
I was having problems with my music playing on my phone after upgrading from the 4 to the 4s.
My music would just refuse to play at times. One solution I tried was to go into the music tab of my iphone in itunes and uncheck "sync music" in order to remove musice completely; then to recheck it and resync music......my resynced music plays fine, the PROBLEM is itunes refused to sync any of purchased music that i purchased on my prior device!! My phone displays this error: "itunes sync 44 items could not be synced see itunes for more information" yet itunes displays no messages -
I've tried to individually select these songs, albums - make additional playlists...nothing works.
Please help asap.Were they purchased with the SAME Apple ID you have registered the phone with?
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Trying to sync ipod with itunes library, but I keep getting this message, " The ipod is synced with another itunes library. Do you want to erase this ipod and sync with this i tunes library?"
I do not want to erase my ipod!!! Any suggestions?? please help!Another way. You can use a USB flash drive & the camera connection kit.
Plug the USB flash drive (works the same with an SD card) into your computer & create a new folder titled DCIM. Then put your movie/photo files into the folder. The files must have a filename with exactly 8 characters long (no spaces) plus the file extension (i.e., my-movie.mov; DSCN0164.jpg).
Now plug the flash drive into the iPad using the camera connection kit. Open the Photos app, the movie/photo files should appear & you can import. (You can not export using the camera connection kit.)
Using The iPad Camera Connection Kit
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4101
Cheers, Tom -
I have synced my phone to my computer several times. This time i received this message: "iTunes was unable to load data class infor from sync services. Reconnect or try again later." It says if I want to sync calendar I must install Outlook to my computer?? Why does iTunes not recongnize that I already have Outlook installed on my computer?
This worked for me...i did a restore on my computer to take it to a date prior to the last update i did on itunes and now it works just fine. Everytime i do a backup it syncs my Outlook! When a request comes up saying there's a new version of itunes click here to download the latest one DON'T do it.
Here's how to do a restore on your computer:
Create a restore point
A restore point is a representation of a stored state of your computer's system files. You can use a restore point to restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. Restore points are automatically created by System Restore weekly and when System Restore detects the beginning of a change to your computer, such as when you install a program or a driver.
System image backups stored on hard disks can also be used for System Restore, just like the restore points created by system protection. Even though system image backups contain both your system files and personal data, your data files won't be affected by System Restore. For more information about system images, see What is a system image? You can create a restore point manually at any time by following the steps below.
Go to the Windows website to watch the video. (1:08)
Click to open System.
In the left pane, click System protection. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Click the System Protection tab, and then click Create.
In the System Protection dialog box, type a description, and then click Create.
For more information about System Restore, see What is System Restore?
I HOPE THIS WORKS!
Annette9114 -
Just set up iTunes for windows but when I try to sync my iPhone to it this is what it says, I have another iTunes library on my power book. It than asks if I want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library. I used the same password on this windows pc system same log on etc..I don't have anything loaded on it. All I want is for the info that's on the power book in iTunes and my iPhone to snyc/update etc on the windows pc. How do I do this? My power book is dead to the world.
Read here.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/18565125#18565125 -
how can i transfer my songs from my nano to a new itunes account because when i try to it tells me that i need to errase whatever is on the nanno ans then i can sync whats on my itunes but i want to put these songs and store them onto this new itunes acc
Your i-device was not designed to be a reliable unique storage for your media. It is not a backup device and everything is structured around you maintaining your media on a computer which is itself backed up. Sync transfer is one way, computer to device, matching the device content to the content on the computer. If the computer has nothing on it, the device is set to match the computer's content -- nothing.The exception is purchased content.
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848 - only media purchased from iTunes Store
For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will probably have to use third party commercial software unless you have an older model iPod. Examples (check the web for others; this is not an exhaustive listing, nor do I have any idea if they are any good):
- Senuti - http://www.fadingred.com/senuti/
- Phoneview - http://www.ecamm.com/mac/phoneview/
- MusicRescue - http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/products/musicrescue/ - Mac & Windows
- Sharepod (free) - http://download.cnet.com/SharePod/3000-2141_4-10794489.html?tag=mncol;2 - Windows
- Snowfox/iMedia - http://www.mac-videoconverter.com/imedia-transfer-mac.html - Mac & PC
- Yamipod (free) - http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/downloads/ - PC, Linux, Mac [Still updated for use on newer devices? No edits to site since 2010.]
- Post by Zevoneer: iPod media recovery options - https://discussions.apple.com/message/11624224 - this is an older post and many of the links are also for old posts, so bear this in mind when reading them.
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141 - dates from 2008 and some outdated information now.
Copying Content from your iPod to your Computer - The Definitive Guide - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/ - Information about use in disk mode pertains only to older model iPods.
Additional information here https://discussions.apple.com/message/18324797 -
I have just purchased a new macbook and need to sync my iphone with itunes, i understand that you can only sync your phone with one itunes account. I do not want to wipe my iphone when syncing with this new itunes account. Any advice welcome
1) authorize iTunes on the new machine for your iTunes store account(s)
2) connect your device and right-click or control-click it in the iTunes Source list, then choose transfer purchases from the shortcut menu that appears.
3) sync the device
iTunes will wipe the iPhone but, since you transferred your purchases in the previous step, your content will be in your library and you can re-populate the iPhone with it. -
The ipod 'harms ipod' is synced with another itunes library.Do you want to erase this ipod and sync with this itunes library? An ipod can be synced with only one itunes library at a time. Erasing and syncing replace the contents of this ipod with the contents of this itunes library.
I don't know what to do? I should save my library before I replace the contents, but I don't know how to do that! HELP!!See this older post from another forum member Zevoneer covering the different methods and software available to assist you with the task of copying content from your iPod back to your PC and into iTunes.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2452022?start=0&tstart=0
B-rock -
Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library?
Why ON EARTH would I want to do this?? Come on Apple, copy protection aside, this is the stupidest prompt in the history of prompts.
The basic problem (if you Google it) that many many many many legitimate purchaser's of music are running into is this prompt. And here is why:
1. We have an iPhone with a bunch of purchased songs on it and was at one point working with another iTunes library.
2. For whatever reason our computer crashes, the computer is gone/sold, not available, dead, pick your poison, it happens.
3. We setup a new computer and install iTunes and get a prompt to "Authorize" this computer (apparently we get 5 authorizations total).
4. We try to get all the songs from our iPhone back into iTunes and click the Sync button and ...
5. We get the following:
The iPhone "Your iPhone's name" is synced with another iTunes library. Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library?
An iPhone can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time. Erasing and syncing replaces the contents of this iPhone with the contents of this iTunes library.
Really? This is what I have to do, wipe out all my purchased songs so that iTunes and sync with a new library? At what point did Apple think this idea was even remotely in the best interest of their customers? Seriously?
So now I'm stuck with an iPhone with songs on it, a computer with songs on it, but neither able transfer songs ... Happy Happy Joy Joy. This is NUTS!? Why punish people that you can verify they've purchased their songs with this bizarre scheme ... and further more, what if some of my songs on my iPhone were brought in from a valid CD purchase?
So my only way out of this craziness, is to use a 3rd party app that will hack the transfer for me? This is good how? I'm sorry, but at what point did Apple's $40 Billion (yes Billion) profit for 2012 instigated this sort of treatment to valid paying customers?
So ... here I am, anyone have a solution to this using "valid" means (without losing all my music) or is 3rd party hacks my only option?
RobRob A. wrote:
tt2,
So if I understand you correctly ... I can't move or sync content that was imported via my own CD's that is now on my iPhone back over to my computer?
Not with iTunes as your only tool, no.
The ONLY way I can proceed is with an iPhone backup and then restore that iPhone backup to my computer rather than my iPhone? I assume this will trigger yet another "used activation"?
No you need a third party tool that will copy your other non-iTunes purchased media and photos not in the cameral roll across to your computer. (Some are listed, you can search the web for others).
When you have recovered all the media you want you can then backup the iPhone to the computer (this backup ONLY includes application data and settings, and the cameral roll. After you have backed up this data to the computer you can then immediately restore the recently made backup to the iPhone. The data in the backup will obviously be copied back but all media must have been added to the library or it will be removed from the device.
Your lost computer will count as an "activation" as will the new one. Apple devices don't add to the count. You can reset all your activations (including those you can't physically access) every 12 months should the need arise.
Am I the only one that thinks this is the most crazy and bizarre process of simply moving a music file from one of my devices to another of my devices? Especially ones that were imported from CDs.
You still have the CDs? You can import them again. You sold, gave away, threw away the originals? Technically you no longer have the right to listen to the tracks you ripped. Is it inconvenient? Sure. One might argue that the very reason Apple & iTunes were able to drive the move to digital music to start with is that their system was designed to prevent the casual use of their devices as a means for "the kids" to simply "gift" their music libraries to each other without the tediously time-wasting efforts that the previous generation had to go through with home-taping. This no doubt helped get the content owners on board. Of course memory sticks and portable hard drives now make it trivially easy to copy content from one computer to another and indeed to simply backup your own content against a disaster but most people don't do either. Likewise they don't read instructions or terms and conditions until they are inconvenienced, and then complain. You and I might both wish iTunes made it easier, but it doesn't. And this isn't the place to complain about it. Use iTunes Feedback. You want help, it has been offered. Please read and inwardly digest it all properly this time. It does explain what you need to do to recover your data and safeguard it for the future.
tt2 -
Hi,
I just bought an I-Phone 5S. When plugging it to my Macbook for the 1st time to copy music from my I-Tunes, this message comes up: "The iPhone is synced with another iTunes library on “localhost". Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library?"
Pls help. I'm always so scared I can loose all my contacts if i am to answer "yes". Also, why am I being told the IPhone is synced with another ITunes Library when it's litterally not been connected to any at all? I dont get it.
What shall I do?
Thanks for your help,
Myzin.Myzin wrote:
I just bought an I-Phone 5S. When plugging it to my Macbook for the 1st time to copy music from my I-Tunes, this message comes up: "The iPhone is synced with another iTunes library on “localhost". Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library?"
This would indicate that you bought a Used iPhone and/or have Connected it to another iTunes Library.
By design an iPhone can only sync to One iTunes Library at a time. -
I have an iPhone 3GS and have never added any music to the device as I had an iPod. The iPhone and iPod are hooked up to the same computer and same iTunes account. My iPod recently broke and now I am trying to add some of my music to the iPhone but I get a message that says: The iphone is synced with another iTunes Library. Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTune's library?
I have never had the iPhone hooked up to another iTunes account. I don't want to accept and say yes and lose all the info on my iPhone.
Any tips or recommeI'm having the same problem after upgrading my iPhone 3Gs to iOS 5 (and upgrading iTunes to 10.5). I noticed after doing this the ring tone I was using for incoming calls was no longer on the phone. Before the upgrade I was syncing ringtones with iTunes without problems. My contacts and apps still still sync as before, but when I try to enable syncing for ring tones in iTunes, I get the message reported at the beginning of this thread. Any risk of losing anything if I go ahead and enable ring tone syncing? The message is definitely misleading.
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I get this message when syncing my Ipod touch "itunes can not back up the ipod because a session could not be started" any ideas?
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