Apple Music (aka iTunes) In Big Sur Not Syncing Playlists With Roon

[DancingSea]

Core Machine (Operating system/System info/Roon build number)

Apple Mac Mini 2020, not the M1

Network Details (Including networking gear model/manufacturer and if on WiFi/Ethernet)

Ethernet

Audio Devices (Specify what device you’re using and its connection type - USB/HDMI/etc.)

Ethernet over the network to UltraRendu, then on to DAC from there.

Description Of Issue

Recently upgraded to Big Sur. When I create new playlists in “Music” aka iTunes, they are not synching with Roon like they have for years. I read through the support documents and it says that in iTunes (now known as Music) to make sure the “share xml with other applications” is checked in the advanced section of system preferences. However, the advanced tab no longer has share xml with other applications as an option. All of the iTunes options in Roon are setup properly.

I’ve done several forced rescans of Music (aka iTunes) to no avail. While I listen to music in Roon, I organize playlists of my local library in iTunes.

Guidance appreciated. Thanks.

[noris]

Hi @DancingSea,

Can you please check to see if this article helps?

iTunes

You will need to export your playlists s a .XML and then place the .XML at the root of your music folder.

[DancingSea]

Aloha Noris,

I’ve read that article. It’s quite outdated. It’s written for iTunes, while for the last few major OS upgrades, Apple has replaced iTunes with “Music”. And in the “Music” advanced preferences, there is no option to share XML files automatically with other applications.

Are you saying that Roon no longer is able to automatically track Music aka iTunes playlists in real time? Is the only way to manually export Music/ iTunes playlist and import that xml file into Roon?

When you say “and then place the xml at the root of your music folder”, where exactly are you talking about? Thanks

[noris]

Hello @DancingSea,

@DancingSea

Is the only way to manually export Music/ iTunes playlist and import that xml file into Roon?

In the Apple Music app you should be able to go to Library > Export which will generate an XML file. Once you have the XML file you can follow the instructions in our KB to import the playlists into Roon.

@DancingSea

When you say “and then place the xml at the root of your music folder”, where exactly are you talking about?

The XML file needs to be placed in the root of your music folder, for example if you have a Music/Artist/Track structure set up, you’ll want to place the XML at the root of the directory (in the Music folder) so that the playlist contains all the subfolders associated with it.

[DancingSea]

@noris

you’ll want to place the XML at the root of the directory (in the Music folder) so that the playlist contains all the subfolders associated with it.

I’m not sure what “root” is. I have a normal iTunes setup, whatever Apple does by default. Thx

[noris]

Hi @DancingSea ,

Were you able to export the XML file?

@DancingSea

I’m not sure what “root” is

@noris

for example if you have a Music/Artist/Track structure set up, you’ll want to place the XML at the root of the directory (in the /Music folder)

This just means to place it in the directory where Roon is scanning, the one you have configured in Roon Settings → Storage.

[Stefan_Pope]

@DancingSea

automatically track Music aka iTunes playlists in real time?

Can Roon sync with Music playlists ?

[beka]

Hey @Stefan_Pope,

Great question!

What we mean by syncing in this case is that Roon is actively watching the music folder you set up as a watched folder (by using these instructions), so, anytime you add something to that folder, it will be updated/synced in Roon.

If I missed anything, please, don’t hesitate to let us know