In short: When Apple Music Sync Library is not working (keeps turning off), force close Apple Music and delete the app from your iPhone. Restart your iPhone, then reinstall Apple Music. You can also sign out from your Apple ID then sign in again.
There’s been an ongoing glitch with the Apple Music Sync Library. When this happens, you can’t enable Sync Library (won’t turn on). You can turn it on but when you open settings again, it’s off.
Whenever Apple Music Sync Library is not working and keeps turning off by itself, do these troubleshooting steps in order and it should be up and running in no time.
1. Force close the Apple Music app
The first thing you should do is to force close the Apple Music app on your iPhone. It’s an effective way to solve unexpected errors like the Sync Library won’t turn on, for example.
In fact, Apple recommends that you “force close” an app when it’s unresponsive. The way you close an app, however, depends on the type of device that you have.
For iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and earlier, double-click the Home button to show your most recently used apps. Swipe left or right to find Apple Music, then swipe up to close the app.
For iPhone X and later, swipe up from the bottom of the Home Screen and pause in the middle of the screen. Swipe left or right to find Apple Music, then swipe up to close the app.
I know this seems like an obvious solution but force closing Apple Music works. I had a similar issue but once I forced close Apple Music, Sync Library worked immediately.
However, if Sync Library still won’t turn on after force-closing the app, you should move on to the next troubleshooting step, which is to reinstall the Apple Music app.
2. Delete the Apple Music app, then redownload
The next thing you’d want to do is to delete the Apple Music app from the App Library and Home Screen. Touch and hold Apple Music in the App Library, tap Delete App, then tap Delete.
Deleting the Music app works because when you remove the app from your Home Screen, you also remove any related user data and configuration files (which might be corrupted).
You’ll also remove any downloaded music on your device, as well as system and cached files, all of which might need to be cleared to restore the Sync Library functionality.
Once you’ve deleted the Apple Music app, don’t reinstall it just yet. You’ll need to restart your iPhone to clear temporary memory, which also frees up resources and improves performance.
3. Restart your iPhone
I know this seems like an obvious solution but restarting your iPhone works. I had a similar issue but once I restarted my iPhone, Sync Library works I wondered why I didn’t do it sooner.
Once you’ve deleted the Apple Music app, please restart your iPhone. The way you restart your iPhone, however, depends on the type of device that you have.
To restart your iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier, press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
Press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo to turn your device back on.
To restart your iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation), press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
Press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo to turn your device back on.
To restart your iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later, press and hold the volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait for your device to turn off.
Press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo to turn your device back on.
In the iPhone’s case, restarting it will clear out any background apps, heating issues, memory problems, and troubles with call signals, even if it’s only for the short term.
4. Sign out from your Apple ID, then sign in again
Nine times out of ten, Sync Library should work and turn on after you force close your iPhone, delete and reinstall the Apple Music app, and restart your iPhone.
However, in the rare case where it still doesn’t work, you’ll need to sign out from your Apple ID, and then sign in again. This would be the last resort to get it working again.
Go to Settings on your iPhone, then tap your name. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
If you are signing out just to fix a problem, you can choose not to save anything locally. When you sign in again, all these will sync and be available on your iPhone. Tap Sign Out and confirm.
At this stage, you can restart your iPhone before signing in again. Open Settings on your iPhone, and at the top, you’ll see the option to sign in. Tap Sign in to your iPhone.
Enter your Apple ID and password. Then, enter the six-digit verification code sent to your trusted device. If you don’t have any, the code is sent via SMS or call to your phone number.
And that’s about it. Once you’ve completed the entire troubleshooting steps in this article, the Apple Music Sync Library should turn on and work properly on your iPhone.
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