alyssajane72

Q: Merging iTunes Media folders

After I updated iTunes/OS X recently, my iTunes library stuffed up, but luckily I had a back-up iTunes Library.itl saved on my desktop.  I opened iTunes holding down the option key and selected this library on my desktop, and I've only just realised that my iTunes Media folder and other iTunes files are now saved to my desktop. This iTunes Media file contains only the two albums I've downloaded since the update, but all my other media, saved in the original iTunes Media folder, is still there.

 

How can I get these two folders to merge?  I can see in the settings how to change where the folder is saved, but will changing it to be back in the default spot confuse iTunes, because there's two iTunes Media folders?

 

Also, how can I tell which iTunes Library.itl file is the one currently being used by iTunes? Should it just be the one I chose when prompted (saved on desktop)? If I move this file to the iTunes folder and remove the one that's currently there (which I presume is the old one), will that fix the problem, or stuff everything up?

 

(Sorry, these questions probably have super easy/obvious answers, but I'm terrified of stuffing up my iTunes library permanently).

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Aug 25, 2015 5:37 AM

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Q: Merging iTunes Media folders

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  • by Limnos,Apple recommended

    Limnos Limnos Aug 25, 2015 5:44 AM in response to alyssajane72
    Level 9 (53,936 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 25, 2015 5:44 AM in response to alyssajane72

    Let iTunes do the moving of media so it knows what has been done.  Consolidate/organize it all to one locations (note it copies not moves).

     

    iTunes 12 for Mac: Change where your iTunes files are stored - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH19507

     

    It is using the .itl you last chose which is best kept together in the iTunes folder with media and everything else.  You can move it there and if necessary re-start iTunes from the new(old) location.

     

    turingtest2 article: Make a split library portable - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392

  • by alyssajane72,

    alyssajane72 alyssajane72 Aug 25, 2015 6:19 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2015 6:19 AM in response to Limnos

    Okay, so I consolidate iTunes, reset it to keep iTunes Media in default spot, then move the .itl to iTunes folder?  (then open with option if necessary?)

     

    I have some .itdb files and Previous iTunes Libraries and Album Artwork that have also been saved to the desktop, will this move them or do I need to move them manually? (Do I need to bother?)

     

    (again, sorry for the stupid questions!)

  • by Limnos,Apple recommended

    Limnos Limnos Aug 25, 2015 6:36 AM in response to alyssajane72
    Level 9 (53,936 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 25, 2015 6:36 AM in response to alyssajane72

    If your iTunes is more or less functioning normally from a complete library folder in its new location apart from using some media from the old location, consolidate all media to the Media folder in the new location. Then move that whole iTunes folder to where you want it to be, even replace the old one.  In fact if you replace the old one in the usual Music folder location with the new one the application will automatically look for it there.  At worst start with option again and select the .itl file.  One thing, however, is I really can't figure out how/why or even how your iTunes application did this. If iTunes created a brand new library file you should have lost all your playlists, ratings, date added.  I can't help but feel I am working with incomplete information. For that reason it may be better off to simply start iTunes using the old library (.itl) file in the old iTunes folder and add those few albums from the media folder in the new library by dragging them to the Automatically Add To iTunes folder for the old library.  A "library" is really everything in an iTunes folder (just as a city library is everything in a building, not just a stack of book in an empty lot somewhere) but from iTunes perspective it is mostly the iTunes Library.itl file.

     

    About iTunes library files - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201610 - Does not mention that a complete working library also includes other files and folders also in the iTunes folder.

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

     

    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

     

    Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391

     

    iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702

  • by alyssajane72,

    alyssajane72 alyssajane72 Aug 25, 2015 11:17 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2015 11:17 PM in response to Limnos

    iTunes reset play counts of some songs This is the post I made discussing my original problem.  Basically, when I updated OS X/iTunes the library was slightly corrupted so that it reset the play counts of some songs. I found the .itl file from before the update and moved it to the desktop and started iTunes with that library.  This created a new iTunes Media folder on my desktop, and some other related folders and files. I had to re-add two albums that I'd downloaded after the update (before I noticed the problem), so it's only those two albums in the desktop iTunes Media.  All my other media is stored in the Music iTunes Media folder.

     

    (Another weird thing I noticed, not sure when it happened, is that in one particular album where I've rated only a few songs, is that the ratings have all shifted down by one song... like this is easy to fix and doesn't bother me at all, it's just really weird).

     

    Anyway, I followed your instructions and it's all working correctly now and stored in the right place. Thanks so much for your help!