Syncing Local Music to iPhone Solutions

Can you help out here. I have struggles from day 1 with local music on the iPhone. Its the last thing I cannot seem to overcome. I have a folder on my Synology NAS called music. I chuck files in there I like and try to sync it to my iPhone. DS Audio – is an ok APP but it doesn’t sync reliably, some times it takes 24 hours for changes to be main on my iPhone. Apple Music, using the 2 local Apple Apps on my PC. Apple Devices and Apple Music. it does a bad job of Syncing as well. some songs never turn up and I have to plug my phone into my PC. Using Synology Drive or Syncthing, I can sync a folder from either my Unraid NAS or Synology NAS but I can’t find an app that will play local music, everything thinks you want to play music from the cloud.. I am open to a new APP, a new Syncing service & anything… I have overcome a few issues to get here.. and I think I will keep the iPhone moving forward if I can overcome this one.. No pressure.

Based on your challenges with syncing local music from your Synology NAS to your iPhone, here’s a tailored solution combining reliable sync methods and playback apps, leveraging your existing setup:

🔧 Syncing Solutions

1. Synology QuickConnect + Evermusic/Flacbox (Best for Direct Playback)
   • Setup:
     • Enable QuickConnect on Synology NAS: Control Panel > External Access > QuickConnect 2.
     • Install Evermusic or Flacbox on your iPhone (both support direct NAS streaming/download for offline play).
   • Sync Process:
     • In the app, connect via Synology Drive using your QuickConnect ID (automatic) or NAS IP+port (e.g., http://192.168.x.x:5000) 2.
     • Navigate to your music folder, download files directly to the app’s local storage (no cloud dependency).
   • Why It Works:
     • Bypasses Synology’s indexing delays (DS Audio’s 24-hour sync issue).
     • Supports FLAC, MP3, WAV, and offers metadata organization 2.
2. Syncthing + VLC/Infuse (Flexible File Sync)
   • Setup:
     • Install Syncthing on Synology NAS (via Package Center) and iPhone (iOS app like Möbius Sync).
     • Sync the music folder bidirectionally or one-way (NAS → iPhone) 915.
   • Playback:
     • Use VLC or Infuse to play synced files from the local iPhone storage. Both apps detect local music without cloud prompts 10.
   • Pros:
     • Real-time sync (no delays).
     • Works with Unraid/Synology simultaneously.
3. Manual USB Sync via Finder (Fallback for Stubborn Files)
   • If some tracks still fail to sync:
     • Connect iPhone to PC/Mac via USB.
     • In Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows), manually drag files to the iPhone under Music > Sync 16.
   • Use this only for problematic files since it requires wired connection.

🎵 Playback Apps for Local Files

• Evermusic/Flacbox: Stream or download directly from NAS. Keeps files offline and organizes by metadata 2.
• VLC Media Player: Free, plays all formats, accesses local files from iPhone storage or network shares 10.
• Infuse Pro: Handles high-res audio, integrates with Syncthing-synced folders.

⚙️ Critical NAS Configuration Checks

• Shared Folder Permissions: Ensure your music folder allows Read/Write for your user account (Control Panel > Shared Folder > Permissions) 2.
• Port Settings: Verify HTTP/HTTPS ports (default: 5000/5001) are open in Control Panel > Login Portal 2.
• Disable Apple Music Sync: Avoid conflicts by turning off Sync Library in iPhone Settings > Music 116.

💡 Why This Works

• No Cloud Interference: All solutions prioritize local storage/NAS access.
• Bypasses Apple’s Limitations: Manual sync and third-party apps ignore Apple Music’s DRM/library conflicts 710.
• Speed: QuickConnect/Syncthing are faster than DS Audio’s indexing.

🔍 Troubleshooting Tips

• Test Small Batches: Sync 10 files first to confirm reliability.
• Firewall Rules: Ensure NAS ports aren’t blocked by router/ISP.
• Reinstall Apps: If metadata doesn’t load, clear app cache or re-scan folders.

Start with Evermusic + QuickConnect for simplicity. If sync delays persist, switch to Syncthing + VLC. This workflow eliminates cloud dependency and leverages your NAS directly for true offline playback.