Why Is Apple Music Splitting Albums? Discover Powerful Fixes for This Frustrating Bug

Can You Stop Apple Music’s Annoying Split Album Glitch? Proven Solutions That Work

Apple Music users are increasingly experiencing a frustrating bug that splits albums into multiple, disorganized entries-making music libraries messy and hard to navigate. This issue, which has become more widespread following recent updates (notably iOS 17), affects users across all platforms, from iPhones to the web version of Apple Music.

What’s Causing the Split Album Bug?

The primary culprit behind split albums is metadata inconsistency. If even a single detail-such as album artist, album title, or track number-differs across tracks, Apple Music may treat them as separate albums. Common triggers include:

• Slight differences in album or artist names (even an extra space or punctuation)
• Tracks featuring different artists or guest appearances
• Mixing live, deluxe, or anniversary editions with standard albums
• Regional availability differences for certain songs
• Multiple versions of the same song (explicit vs. clean)

How Are Users Affected?

• Albums appear fragmented, with some songs listed under “Unknown Artist” or as separate albums.
• Navigation and organization become tedious, especially for users with large libraries.
• Manual fixes are time-consuming and often temporary, as the bug may reappear after syncing or updates.

Proven Solutions to Fix Split Albums in Apple Music

While Apple has yet to release an official fix, several user-tested methods can help restore your library’s order:

Standardize Metadata Across All Tracks

Ensure album name, album artist, and track numbers are identical for every song in the album.

• On desktop: Select all tracks, right-click, choose “Get Info” or “Album Info,” and update the fields.
• On iPhone/iPad: Tap album, select “…”, and edit fields manually.

For compilations, check the “Part of a compilation” box and set the album artist to “Various Artists.”

Refresh Album Data

1. Delete the affected album from your library.
2. Restart your device to clear cached metadata.
3. Re-add the album from Apple Music or iTunes Store.

Temporarily Disable iCloud Music Library

1. Go to Settings > Music > Turn off “Sync Library.”
2. Download the album directly to your device.
3. Re-enable “Sync Library” after downloading.

Adjust Compilation Settings

For non-compilation albums, uncheck the “Compilation” box in album info to prevent unwanted splits.

Update Apple Music and iOS

Always keep your Apple Music app and device software up to date, as updates often contain bug fixes.

Re-add Albums via iTunes

Remove and re-import albums using iTunes on your desktop to reset organization and clear up splits.

Tips to Prevent Future Album Splitting

• Add entire albums instead of single tracks from compilations.
• Double-check album and artist names before syncing.
• Regularly back up your favorite albums.
• Report persistent issues to Apple Support for potential prioritization in future updates.

The split album bug is a major annoyance for Apple Music users who value a well-organized library. While manual fixes require some effort, they can restore order until Apple provides a permanent solution. Staying proactive-by standardizing metadata, updating software, and using recommended workarounds-can help you maintain a seamless listening experience.

Consistent metadata is your strongest weapon against split albums. Regularly update your library and use the outlined fixes to keep your Apple Music collection organized and frustration-free.