I began to move my library to an external drive. I believe I copied over all the files but the library that opens is the library from 2015. The music folder is very messy with individual music files among a iTunes and iTunes1 folder. I used the itl file from that one but it seems to be from an earlier file. Do I need to take the unit into an Apple store for in person help?
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.0
You're running Ventura correct? Ideally you would copied your existing, up to date, Music Library.musiclibrary database into a new empty folder at <External>/Music, option start Music to connect to the database on this new path, reset the media folder to <External>/Music/Media, then used File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files to consolidate everything into this new location.
If you've reopened an old .itl file then you're going to have an out of date version of your library. Can you find your previous .musiclibrary database that hasn't been recently generated from an old .itl file?
tt2
You're running Ventura correct? Ideally you would copied your existing, up to date, Music Library.musiclibrary database into a new empty folder at <External>/Music, option start Music to connect to the database on this new path, reset the media folder to <External>/Music/Media, then used File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files to consolidate everything into this new location.
If you've reopened an old .itl file then you're going to have an out of date version of your library. Can you find your previous .musiclibrary database that hasn't been recently generated from an old .itl file?
tt2
I would think you want one of the Music Library(.musiclibrary) files. Probably the ../Music/Music one, The Music 1 folder is more likely to have been created when you opened a .itl file. The other looks a little large. It might have a bunch of dead .tmp files inside it.
See Managing your Mac media libraries - Apple Community for some advice on cleaning things up a little. It is still a work in progress as I haven't got around to adding details for video content yet, but the principles are much the same.
tt2
Yes, you can certainly try changing the path to the media folder in settings, but it won't necessarily change where Music looks for existing content that was already part of the library. If changing the media folder doesn't make Music use copies of your tracks on the external drive, but Music is still able to play your content, then I would recommend moving the active .musiclibrary database to <External>/Music, option-start-Music to connect to it there, then reset the media folder to <External>/Music/Media, and finally use File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files to copy in all the files to the new media folder in a sensible layout.
If things are more complicated than that, or you don't have space to temporarily double-up on your media files, then explain where you are now in a little more detail and I'll see what advice I can come up with.
tt2
LAdave wrote:
When I option start that one on the external drive it launches Music and my current library but with a Mac based library.
That sounds about right. A copy of a .musiclibrary database will generally want to use the original paths that were in that library unless the library was in what I call a portable layout, i.e. a library folder that contains the .musiclibrary file and a Media folder that contains all media connected to that library. When that structure is in play you can move the library folder from one drive or computer to another, access the .musiclibrary inside it, and it will update all the references to point to the media folder inside the library folder.
...but now I'm back to the current library on the old Mac path. Should I scrap my whole external copy and start again?
Probably. See also my user tip Make a split library portable - Apple Community. It is more focused on iTunes but deals with some of the background principles.
tt2
Follow up on transfer music to external. Started over with copying entire MUSIC file. Launched Music app, then from Music menu I chose Preferences (in OS 11.7 in OS 13.1 it is Settings) in the General window I clicked on File then selected Change. I'm not sure why the DIY videos directed an option key start. Thanks for your help.
The option-start-Music method is used to select a Music Library.musiclibrary database on a different path.
Music > Preferences/Settings > File tab is used to update the location of the media folder.
tt2
This machine is on 11.7 Big Sur. I copied the entire Music folder to my external drive. The hierarchy is messed up. A lot of music files and then multiple libraries. I can't find the one to open with a option start. Here are screenshots of the music file on the Mac and the external's music folder. when I click on what I think should be the right library I get code. The library at the bottom will open the library in its current state but the path is starting on the Mac and not the external. The music library marked Music 1 opens to a library from 7 years ago.
Maybe I can explain it this way. The window on the left is the Mac and its path. I highlighted the library and opened Music in the Media file and see the most recent additions at the top of the library. On the right external window the grayed file is the same one (based on creation date). When I option start that one on the external drive it launches Music and my current library but with a Mac based library. The music library in the folder Music 1 on the external plays an earlier library about 7 years out of date. Could I replace that library file in that position then option start it? Would that solve the path problem and have it go to the external? I tried shutting down after launching from external library it went into saving mode then crashed. It took time "checking the library" but now I'm back to the current library on the old Mac path. Should I scrap my whole external copy and start again?
I open the library in the Music Folder below MAGGIE. The library that opens in up-to-date. The problem is the path in Settings still starts with the Mac drive. Can I edit it in Settings?
The Mac library file wasn't included in the first copying to the external for some reason. If I start over and copy everything it might accept a new path. Thanks for your help.
Moving iTunes library to external drive
