Moving playlists only (not music files) from old MacBook (iTunes) to new MacBook (Music)

Question

Level 1

4 points

Moving playlists only (not music files) from old MacBook (iTunes) to new MacBook (Music)

Hi There,

I have reformatted my old MacBook Pro to a factory reset with Catalina.

The last update to the time machine is via Mojave, where I have extensive iTunes playlists that are linked to music files that was stored on both the MacBook hard drive but also an external drive.

I have been able to locate the playlist file in last back up to the external drive, and I can import this in Music.

However, when I do this, it begins to copy ALL of the music files, which I do not want it to do (because the music is already stored on the external hard drive, and I don't have space for it on the MacBook).

Is there anyway I can recover all the playlists while keeping the music on the external drive, and then use locate function to locate the music?

I really just want all my playlists back in Music but without having to do restore from Time Machine.

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Mar 3, 2021 2:01 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

turingtest2

Level 10

274,198 points

Mar 3, 2021 11:02 AM in response to JAMwIsE

You need to press and hold down Option as you launch Music and keep holding until you get this dialog box:

Click Choose Library... and browse to the iTunes Library.itl file you want to open.

Select the file and click Choose, then decide where the converted library is going to be saved: The normal path for the library is ~/Music/Music where ~ is your user's home folder, but if that folder already exists then Music will suggest Music 1. If there is an existing empty library there you may wish to delete it before you get started so your library can use the standard folder.

When you click Save Music should open to show your converted library. Next time you close and reopen Music the same library will be reopened.

If the new Music library cannot locate your media files see my post in the thread Music File.

tt2

Reply

Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

274,198 points

Mar 3, 2021 4:16 AM in response to JAMwIsE

Rather than importing exported playlists the usual approach would be to option-start-Music in Catalina and choose the iTunes Library.itl file from your pre-upgrade system to convert into a Music library. Can you find this file on your computer or in Time Machine?

tt2

Reply