iTunes has been a go-to program for music lovers since its inception in the late 1990s. It serves as a great tool for managing music on Apple devices, allowing users to download, listen to, and back up their favorite songs. While iTunes may be confusing for some, it remains one of the most popular music storage programs.
To indicate the status of your music in iTunes, the program uses symbols. These symbols signify whether the music is stored in the cloud, downloaded from Apple Music, or ready to play. It is essential to understand these symbols to navigate iTunes successfully.
However, some users may encounter songs that appear greyed out with a dotted circle on iTunes. This issue can be frustrating for music lovers who want to listen to their favorite tunes. In this case, it is crucial to understand the meaning behind this symbol and how to fix it.
If you have ever encountered this issue with iTunes, we will explain the significance of the greyed-out songs and the dotted circle symbol. Additionally, we will provide you with solutions to get your music playing again.
What is iTunes?
iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management software developed by Apple Inc. It was launched in January 2001 as a music player and has since evolved into a comprehensive platform for storing, organizing, and playing digital audio and video files.
iTunes is available on both macOS and Windows operating systems and can be downloaded for free from the Apple website. It allows users to manage their music and video libraries, purchase and download music, movies, and TV shows from the iTunes Store, and sync their media content with Apple mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
One of the key features of iTunes is its integration with the iTunes Store, which offers a vast collection of digital content for purchase and download. Users can also subscribe to Apple Music, a streaming service that allows them to access millions of songs, curated playlists, and radio stations.
What Does it Mean When iTunes Songs are Greyed Out with Dotted Circle?
If you notice that your iTunes songs are greyed out with a dotted circle, there could be three potential causes behind this issue.
The first reason could be that the song failed to sync with your device. This may occur if the sync was interrupted, or if you closed iTunes before the sync could finish.
The second reason could be due to the ‘Manually Manage Music and Videos’ setting being turned off in your device’s settings.
Finally, the third reason could be a lack of storage space on your device, leading to the song being unavailable.
Fortunately, resolving any of these issues is simple. For instance, you can try syncing your device again or enabling ‘Manually Manage Music and Videos’ in your settings. Alternatively, you could free up storage space on your device by deleting unnecessary files or transferring files to a cloud service.
How to Fix iTunes Dotted Circle and Music Greyed Out
If the greyed-out songs with a dotted circle on iTunes are due to synchronization errors, there are a few steps you can take to fix the issue.
First, delete the affected song from your iTunes library, then drag it back into the library from the original file on your PC or Mac. After that, try syncing your device again to see if the issue has been resolved.
If the song still appears greyed out, you should check if the ‘Manually Manage Music and Videos’ option is enabled in your iTunes settings. To do this, go to the ‘Settings’ menu in iTunes and make sure the box next to this option is ticked. After saving your settings, try syncing your device again.
If your iTunes songs are still greyed out with a dotted circle, it’s worth checking how much storage space you have left on your device. If you’re running low on space, you may need to clear some files and try syncing your device again.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of greyed-out songs with a dotted circle on iTunes and enjoy your music library once again.
Can I use iTunes without an Apple device?
Yes, you can use iTunes on your Windows PC even if you don’t own any Apple devices. iTunes can be downloaded for free from the Apple website and can be used as a media player and library for your music and video files.
With iTunes, you can play your audio and video files, create playlists, and manage your media library with ease. You can also purchase and download music, movies, and TV shows from the iTunes Store, and access Apple Music, a music streaming service that allows you to listen to millions of songs and curated playlists.
However, some features of iTunes such as syncing with Apple devices, backing up data, and updating device software are exclusive to Apple devices and cannot be used on a Windows PC.
iTunes Dotted Cloud Fix
The dotted cloud is another symbol that you may come across while using iTunes.
If you see this symbol, it means that the song is being matched on iTunes. However, you will only encounter this symbol if you are subscribed to iTunes Match.
To resolve this issue, you can go to the ‘File’ menu and select ‘Update iCloud Music Library’.
Despite their initial confusing nature, iTunes symbols can actually be very helpful. They allow you to easily check the status of your songs and their availability for download or playback. Once you become familiar with these symbols, you can effectively manage your music library on iTunes.
Frequently Asked Question
What does it mean when iTunes songs are greyed out with a dotted circle?
The greyed-out songs with a dotted circle on iTunes typically indicate that there is an issue with syncing or downloading the song to your device. It could also mean that the ‘Manually Manage Music and Videos’ option is turned off or that you are running low on storage space on your device.
How can I fix greyed-out songs with a dotted circle on iTunes?
To resolve the issue, you can try deleting the affected song from your iTunes library and then re-adding it from the original file on your PC or Mac. You should also check if the ‘Manually Manage Music and Videos’ option is enabled in your iTunes settings. Additionally, you can check how much storage space you have left on your device and free up space if necessary.
What is the dotted cloud symbol on iTunes?
The dotted cloud symbol on iTunes indicates that the song is in the process of being matched on iTunes. This symbol is only used in iTunes if you are subscribed to iTunes Match.
How can I update my iCloud Music Library on iTunes?
To update your iCloud Music Library on iTunes, go to the ‘File’ menu and select ‘Update iCloud Music Library’.
Are iTunes symbols helpful?
Yes, iTunes symbols can be extremely helpful in managing your music library on iTunes. They allow you to easily check the status of your songs and their availability for download or playback.
What is iTunes?
iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management software developed by Apple. It can be used to play, download, and organize digital audio and video files.
Is iTunes still available?
As of September 2021, iTunes is no longer available as a standalone app on macOS. Its features have been divided into separate apps such as Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. However, iTunes is still available on Windows computers.
Conclusion
iTunes has been a popular media player and library for storing and organizing digital audio and video files. While iTunes is no longer available as a standalone app on macOS, its features have been divided into separate apps such as Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. iTunes can still be used on Windows computers and is a useful tool for managing your music library and backing up your Apple devices. By understanding the various symbols used in iTunes, you can easily check the status of your songs and manage your music library efficiently. Whether you are using iTunes to download, listen, or back up your music, it remains a valuable tool for managing your digital media.
