Level 1

114 points

Restoring play count & ratings

I transferred my iTunes music to another computer, however it seems that iTunes has lost the ratings and play count numbers. My iPhone 3G, however, still has this info, from the last time it was synced on the other computer. There is also an XML file in the iTunes folder that has the ratings and play counts, but the file paths are from the old computer, and are no longer valid. Is there a way I can transfer the play count and ratings information, either from my iPhone or the XML file, into my iTunes library? I have heard that this can be done by copying the music from the iPhone, but I'd rather avoid it if at all possible, because I already have the music on the computer.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Power Mac G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Dec 10, 2009 12:20 PM

24 replies

Limnos

Level 10

428,543 points

Jan 30, 2015 7:17 AM in response to Community User

Um, I was under the impression the 3 differences between the .itl version and the .xml version of the library file was the .xml did not contain ratings, date added, or play count.

Burke102

Level 1

8 points

Mar 21, 2015 9:23 AM in response to chenango232

Hi folks! I just got a new Air and wanted my play counts transferred. Here's what I did and it was beyond simple:

1. New Mac: Dragged the .itl and .xml files to the trash but didn't empty in case I needed them.

2. Old Mac: Put those two files on a flash drive and dragged to the same itunes folder on the new mac where I deleted the two files in question.

3. New Mac: Started itunes.

Play counts all there instantly!

Thanks to everyone who chimed in here. I REALLY like having my play counts! hahaha

jkp88

Level 1

0 points

May 21, 2015 8:07 AM in response to Burke102

After spending hours trying to figure this out, this was the best advice!

aeclachr

Level 1

0 points

Sep 6, 2015 11:40 PM in response to Burke102

Ahh thank you so much! This fixed my problem. I was upset that I was going to lose 9 years worth of playcounts until I tried this!

Apr 27, 2016 8:57 PM in response to Bizquik

That worked!! I've been looking around for that solution for 3 days!! Nice trick dude. Thank you SO much!! 😀

alemovel

Level 1

4 points

Sep 18, 2016 10:02 AM in response to hedgert

Thank you, six years later, still usefull!

4183R7

Level 1

4 points

Dec 31, 2016 2:28 PM in response to Burke102

in 2016 this fix still works.... instead of backing up music to an external drive I imported using the iTunes Homeshare. Once all the music was transferred over to the new Mac, Close itunes and copy/paste over the .itl and .xml files over from the old mac to the new one. Once you start iTunes up again all the play count and ratings are back as they were before!

Thanks for the help 2009 thread.... sincerely from the future!

_Krysia_

Level 1

4 points

Apr 8, 2017 6:19 AM in response to Gil Ramirez

from 2017, thank you, this fix is still working. Am now able to pick up my talking book from the exact spot I left it

(this was also from itunes 12.1.3.6 to 12.6.0.100)

kuabci

Level 1

4 points

Jun 27, 2017 2:41 PM in response to turingtest2

I'm working on Windows. I would be interested in your solution.

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Restoring play count & ratings