Feature description
Add an independent playlist synchronization option that refreshes playlists without requiring a full library sync. Ideally, users could sync all playlists or an individual playlist.
Playlist sync should also reconcile with the source. When a playlist’s .m3u file has been deleted from storage, Symfonium should remove that playlist. Currently it keeps the playlist with zero tracks, and each one has to be deleted by hand. This happens on every rename or removal when playlists are managed outside the app (for example, synced from a desktop library): the old file is removed, and an empty playlist is left behind in Symfonium.
Problem solved
Full library synchronization takes a significant amount of time with a large music library. When I make a small change to a playlist, I don’t want to wait for the entire library to synchronize.
This is especially relevant when playlists are managed externally. Adding, removing, or reordering tracks should not require a full library sync. Likewise, when a playlist’s .m3u file is deleted externally, Symfonium should clean up its internal state so that the deleted playlist doesn’t remain as an empty entry in the player.
Brought benefits
- Much faster updates when adding, removing, or reordering tracks in playlists.\
- No need to run a full library sync for playlist-only changes.
- Better support for playlists managed outside Symfonium.
- Automatic cleanup of stale or empty playlist entries when their source files are removed.
- A more efficient workflow for users with large music libraries and frequently updated playlists.
Other application solutions
Not applicable / No specific alternative application to reference. This request is focused on improving Symfonium’s existing synchronization and internal-state cleanup capabilities.
Device type
All
Additional description and context
My music library is large enough that a full synchronization takes considerably longer than a simple playlist update should require.
Suggested options:
Sync Library – existing full synchronization behavior.
Sync Playlists – synchronize playlist data without a full library sync.
Sync This Playlist – optionally synchronize an individual playlist from its menu.
Playlist sync should refresh externally modified playlists, including track membership and ordering, and remove playlists whose .m3u file no longer exists. For example, if I remove an .m3u file through an external playlist-management tool, the next playlist sync should delete the corresponding playlist in Symfonium instead of leaving it as an empty entry. It appears that playlists imported from .m3u files are stored in Symfonium’s own database, and that the stored entry stays after its source file is deleted, so only its tracks are cleared. Today these empty playlists stay until each one is deleted by hand. The .m3u files are gone from the device and from Android’s media store; the empty entries remain only in Symfonium.
The exact implementation can depend on the media provider and Symfonium’s architecture. The important outcome is a fast way to synchronize externally managed playlists and clean up deleted ones without a full library sync.
I searched existing feature requests
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