Simon_the_Client
Level 1 (8 points)
iTunes

Q: Help me recover my iTune library

Hi,

I have lost my 2009 mac-mini along with my iTune library of + 3,000 titles.

For now I have an old Dell with Windows 7 and iTune.

I still have access to my iTune and iTune Store account but I have nothing left to synchronize.

My external disk backup are all in Time Capsule and I'm now trying to recover my itune library on a PC...

I have authorized the Dell to access iTune but I'm unable to import the content of my old iPhone 3GS iTune library onto the Dell...

All I see are my recent purchase... a very thin part of the library.

My music is all on the 3Gs, how can I import it on the DEll PC?

 

Well. can you help me please... I own this music and paid for it!

 

Regards,

 

Simon

iPhone 3GS, iOS 6.1.6, Importing my iTune library to PC

Posted on Sep 2, 2016 8:17 PM

by Limnos,Solvedanswer
Limnos Limnos
Level 9 (53,552 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Your i-device was not designed for unique storage of your media. It is not a backup device and media transfer was planned with you maintaining a master copy of your media on a computer which is itself independently backed up against loss.  To use a device with a different setup you transfer the old library from a computer or a backup directly to the new setup, not the device to the library. Media syncing is one way, computer to device, updating the device content to the content on the computer, not updating or restoring content on a computer from a device. The exception is iTunes Store media purchases which can be transferred to a computer.

 

Re-download or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad or iPod to a computer - https://support.apple.com/HT201267 - "This feature works only for content bought from the iTunes Store." As of iOS9 it no longer does apps which now must be re-downloaded directly from the Store.

 

For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will have to use third party commercial software.  See this document by turingtest2: Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991  Even this method may not fully recover what you had in the library originally. For example if in order to save space when syncing you had converted music files to a lower bitrate, or photos to a lower resolution, it is those lower quality files you will recover.

 

If you subscribe to Apple Music, tracks which are not part of content you have purchased or uploaded cannot be transferred and have to be downloaded directly from iCloud.

 

For other items see:  Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - https://support.apple.com/HT201302 - these are ones you have taken yourself.

Posted on Sep 3, 2016 6:16 AM

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Simon_the_Client

Q: Help me recover my iTune library

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  • Helpful answers

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Sep 2, 2016 10:23 PM in response to Simon_the_Client
    Level 8 (38,680 points)
    Sep 2, 2016 10:23 PM in response to Simon_the_Client

    An iPhone is not a backup source for music.

     

    You can restore all your music purchased from iTunes, but it sounds as if you know that, and are looking to restore the rest.

     

    The way to do that is to replace your Mac Mini with a new Mac, then use Time Machine along with Migration Assistant to restore your last Mac Mini backup to this new machine.

  • by Limnos,Solvedanswer

    Limnos Limnos Sep 3, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Simon_the_Client
    Level 9 (53,552 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 3, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Simon_the_Client

    Your i-device was not designed for unique storage of your media. It is not a backup device and media transfer was planned with you maintaining a master copy of your media on a computer which is itself independently backed up against loss.  To use a device with a different setup you transfer the old library from a computer or a backup directly to the new setup, not the device to the library. Media syncing is one way, computer to device, updating the device content to the content on the computer, not updating or restoring content on a computer from a device. The exception is iTunes Store media purchases which can be transferred to a computer.

     

    Re-download or transfer your iTunes Store purchases from an iPhone, iPad or iPod to a computer - https://support.apple.com/HT201267 - "This feature works only for content bought from the iTunes Store." As of iOS9 it no longer does apps which now must be re-downloaded directly from the Store.

     

    For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will have to use third party commercial software.  See this document by turingtest2: Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991  Even this method may not fully recover what you had in the library originally. For example if in order to save space when syncing you had converted music files to a lower bitrate, or photos to a lower resolution, it is those lower quality files you will recover.

     

    If you subscribe to Apple Music, tracks which are not part of content you have purchased or uploaded cannot be transferred and have to be downloaded directly from iCloud.

     

    For other items see:  Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - https://support.apple.com/HT201302 - these are ones you have taken yourself.

  • by Simon_the_Client,

    Simon_the_Client Simon_the_Client Sep 3, 2016 6:18 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 3, 2016 6:18 AM in response to Limnos

    Thanks Limmos,

    Very good explanations and directions!

    Simon