Sync iPhone with(out) nested playlists / playlist folders

[ekant]

Hey,
when I try to sync with an iPhone, all synced playlists are just shown in a flat list (all on root level).

This happens on Import - MM shows all playlists from iPhone in a flat list in an arbitrary order (not reflecting the playlist folder structure on iPhone).
This happens on export - MM creates playlists on iPhone all in the root node, no nested playlists in folders (as usual).

I have many well-ordered playlists with a (nested) directory structure of 2-4 levels (many of the inner playlists have same/similar names), I need nested playlists (in MM, of course) and resp. playlist folders on iPhone, too - the playlist structure has to be reflected on the synced devices!

I want MM really as successor of iTunes, but this is a functionality I need.

To have playlists just in one flat root node - this may be perfect for people with only few playlists... but everything else becomes unmanageable - I use currently >1000 playlists on the iPhone.


Is this limited because of API restrictions (apple) or is this just not yet considered?

If not the 1st, please improve the sync for iPhone, so that nested playlists in MM are created as playlist folders on iPhone with the same structure - and the same on import/sync back.
(As a folder on iPhone cannot contain files directly, you could create a playlist with the same name inside a playlist folder, if the playlist in MM contains files.)

[Lowlander]

I believe with Apple devices there is no nested Playlist support, it's for MediaMonkey for Android only when using MediaMonkey Sync.

[hmt3design]

This needs to be added as a feature request. Of course, it may be by (Apple's) design, to keep second-party programs from doing exactly this, but if it's doable, please make it happen.

In the meantime, here's a long-winded workaround. It kinda makes it redundant to have purchased MM in the first place, as I could have achieved this with Tag & Rename.

• In MM, create your playlists using whatever structure you want

• Under File > Export, export all playlists

• Go to iTunes and recreate your structure, using .

• Drag the exported m3u files into the Music Playlists section (you might have to right-click and create a New Playlist Folder first, if you have no existing folders)

• Drag the newly created playlists into the folders you have created.

The advantage to MM's export is that it exports the files using a (playlist) - (playlist) structure. For example, I have my playlists sorted by decades. So MM creates a file called "1960s - Rock - Who.m3u."

So drop those playlists into iTunes. Then create folders and subfolders. In the example above, I would create a New Playlist Folder called "1960s." Then I would create another called "Rock." Then stick the generated "1960s - Rock - Who.m3u" into the "Rock" folder. And then, because I'm that way, I would edit the playlist name to just read "Who."

Hey, I said it was long-winded. I thought I could edit down those playlist names using Bulk Rename Utility, but I found out that the playlist only grabs the tracks when it's on the top level. Sigh.

Good luck. And MM - please fix this! If you can manage it, you will have solved the biggest headache of all iPhone/iPad/iPod users everywhere - the unwieldy iTunes program. You will be the heroes of the world and sell a million copies a day.

[hmt3design]

If you used my method above, there's a way to clean up the playlists in iTunes (so that you can use Siri to call them out). But be advised; this is a rather advanced procedure. If you doubt your ability, you can clean up the playlists in iTunes by going to each one and renaming as needed. If you still want to give it a try, duplicate your generated files (.itl and .xml) so that you have clean versions to use if you need to start over.

The advantage to MM's export is that it exports the files using a (playlist) - (playlist) structure. For example, I have my playlists sorted by decades. So MM creates a file called "1960s - Rock - Who.m3u."

So drop those playlists into iTunes. Then create folders and subfolders. In the example above, I would create a New Playlist Folder called "1960s." Then I would create another called "Rock." Then stick the generated "1960s - Rock - Who.m3u" into the "Rock" folder. And then, because I'm that way, I would edit the playlist name to just read "Who."

After you've set everything up the way that you want it, then go to File > Library > Export Library. You'll get a "Library.xml" file as a result (note where it saves the file - usually "C:\Users\(username)\Music\." Open the XML file in a text editor (like Notepad - or preferably VS Code if you have a large file) and do a search and replace.

Using the above example, I searched for "1960s - Rock - " (don't miss that trailing space) and got all of the lines that contained that string. Then I deleted them. I repeated this for every string I didn't want in the mix, then saved the file.

Next, clear your playlist tree (so you don't import duplicates). You could just go to "C:\Users\(username)\Music\iTunes"
and rename the "iTunes Library.itl" file to something like "iTunes Library old.itl" Then close iTunes. Then reopen it, and you'll find a clean Library.

Go to File > Library > Import Playlist and select that Library.xml file you just edited and import it into the clean iTunes. All of your playlists - with their attendant file structure (if you set it up that way) - now appear sans that preface created by MM. (Don't knock it; that's what helped you sort everything properly in the first place.)

Check your structure - make sure every thing is as you want it. If it's a minor edit, go ahead and make it. If you have major issues, use your backup copies to start over.

Good luck!