iPodRocks

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Sync ​

The Sync panel copies music, podcasts, audiobooks, and playlists from your library (or shadow library) to a device.

What it does ​

  • Device — Select which device to sync.
  • Sync type — Full (everything) or Custom (pick albums, artists, genres, playlists).
  • Full sync options — Include/exclude music, podcasts, audiobooks, playlists. Extra track policy (keep, remove, prompt). Skip album artwork.
  • Custom sync — Select specific albums, artists, genres, podcasts, audiobooks, and playlists.
  • Start Sync — Runs the sync. Progress modal shows files copied, converted, and removed.
  • Results — After sync, a summary card shows success, warnings, or errors.

How it works ​

  • Source — Uses the primary library or the device's configured shadow library. If shadow, files are copied as-is (no transcoding during sync).
  • Transcoding — When using the primary library and the device needs a different codec, FFmpeg converts on the fly. Metadata (tags, artwork) is preserved.
  • Extra track policy — "Keep" leaves device-only files. "Remove" deletes them. "Prompt" asks you.
  • Orphans — Files on the device not in the library. They are only auto-deleted during sync when Extra Track Policy is set to "Remove"; with "Keep" or "Prompt" they stay on the device unless you explicitly confirm removal.
  • Codec mismatches — When a device has files in a codec that no longer matches its profile (e.g. old Musepack files after switching the profile to Opus) and you sync with Extra Track Policy = "Remove", those old-codec files are removed and replaced by the new codec during sync.
  • Album artwork — Copied by default (cover.jpg, folder.png, etc.). Uncheck "Skip album artwork" to disable.

How to work with it ​

  1. Select the device and ensure it is mounted.
  2. Full sync — Use for a complete mirror. Set extra track policy to "Remove" if you want the device to match the library exactly.
  3. Custom sync — Use when you want only certain albums, artists, or playlists. Pick from the lists and click Start Sync.
  4. Check Device first (in Devices) to see synced vs to-sync vs orphans before syncing.
  5. Ignore space check — Only if you are sure the device has enough space; normally the app checks.