Solved: iOS 4.2 missing videos/tunes after upgrade

Note: Credit to RazorianFly for note on this today - my version requires less steps and doesn’t require you to use the primary iTunes machine.

If you’ve just upgraded to iOS 4.2 on your iPad or iPhone and you’ve suddenly lost any videos or music from your Videos/iPod app then there’s a quick and easy fix.

For this to work you should have an iPhone/iPad that shows it has Videos and Music available (in the about page or via iTunes) but non-show up on the device.

1. Connect to ANY computer running iTunes 10.1 (so doesn’t have to be your main syncing machine) and ignore any sync/wipe options (hit cancel)

2. Click on the device name, expand it and go to Music/Videos

3. Double-click/play a track/Movie/TV Show

4. Now go back to the device, go into Videos/iPod and you should get “Updating Library”

5. Bingo, music and videos restored.