Playlist format issues on Android 8

[allvodi]

Beginning with a clean slate:
1. Sync music files to android phone : all files are playable.
2. Add playlists (3) to phone (selecting PLA format for Google Play Music) : Google Play Music does not see playlists, Samsung Music does. Upon inspection of playlist files folder on phone discover that m3U files written by MMW (but PLA was selected).
3. Using Samsung Music I rename playlist files : they now appear as PLA files in the Playlist folder AND Google Play Music now sees all playlists.

Anyone with clues whats going on (with Android 7 this was not happening ?????

[Lowlander]

You're saying Google Music doesn't understand M3U playlists?

Did you add PLA to Support Formats for the device? Which version of MMA and MMW are you using and are you doing a wifi or USB sync?