Where does Music app store playlist data?

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Level 1

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Where does Music app store playlist data?

While moving folders around in order to try to solve a Time Machine backup problem, I've made a mess of my Music folder.

I have managed to restore it to a position where all my music is there, organised into albums as previously, ** tall my playlists have gone.

If I know where the playlist data is store, I might be able to restore it from a backup, but don't see where the app keeps this data. Perhaps it is in the Music Data file, but as (I think) I have respited the old file of that name, I suspect it's not there. Can anyone help?

Posted on Oct 21, 2022 5:57 AM

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Answer 1

Rudegar

Level 10

181,338 points

Oct 21, 2022 6:09 AM in response to Gfoxcroft

Where Does Apple Music Store Playlists? [Answered!] - The Gadget Buyer | Tech Advice

Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support

Save a copy of a playlist in Music on Mac - Apple Support

more

macos Music app store playlist location - Google-

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,852 points

Oct 22, 2022 4:44 AM in response to Gfoxcroft

You don’t. It is internal to the database. That was my point. There may not be a way to re-link the files to the playlist because you don’t know how it is linked.

But, I’m not certain as I couldn’t open the database to see how it is structured.

Replacing the music Library file may work or it may not.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,852 points

Oct 21, 2022 8:00 AM in response to Gfoxcroft

If I know where the playlist data is store, I might be able to restore it from a backup, but don't see where the app keeps this data. Perhaps it is in the Music Data file, but as (I think) I have respited the old file of that name, I suspect it's not there. Can anyone help?

I couldn't open the Library database to see for sure, but what I think you might find is that the database links to the music file with a Unique ID. If that isn't calculated somehow from the music file, you might not be able to link that old library to the new music file store. I don't know for sure if they use Unique ID's, but everything else seems to.

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Answer 4

Gfoxcroft Author

Level 1

14 points

Oct 22, 2022 7:05 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks. I suspect this is not resolvable.

If the playlist data is in the library file, replacing that file lose the playlist data I think

The main reason I used playlists a lot was I found this the best way to keep music organised when I synced my Mac to an iPod. But the Music app no longer supports the iPod anyway, so this reason no longer applies.

My music is still correctly organised by artist and album and perhaps that is good enough!

I' think I'll give up on this one!

Thanks for your help.

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