Choosing where to store the Apple music files

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Level 1

71 points

Choosing where to store the Apple music files

There are many issues with Apple Music/iTunes. But for today:

I've repeatedly tried to choose an external HD to use as my storage place for all of the Apple Music songs and files. However, the Mac OS, in its infinite wisdom, wants to often revert it back to the folder on the internal SSD. And yes, I do have the option checked to keep things organized.

First of all, why does it repeatedly keep doing this?
And secondly, after I've again, for the umpteenth time, selected the external drive, I would love to delete the seemingly duplicated files or at least unneeded files from internal storage. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I keep stuff backed up so, at the end of the day, I'm not worried about losing anything, except for the amount of time involved to repeatedly go through this nonsense.

Thanks in advance for helpful suggestions.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 31, 2023 4:07 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

turingtest2

Level 10

279,107 points

Feb 2, 2023 8:38 AM in response to jimchik2

Hi there,

Music, and iTunes before it, have a 'feature' when your library database is on an internal drive, and the media folder is on an external drive where if they open the library, but cannot access the internal drive, they silently reset the media folder to Media (or iTunes Media for iTunes) in the same folder as the database. To prevent this from happening you want to place the Music Library.musiclibrary database on the external drive with your media. If you then start Music and the drive isn't ready Music will complain it cannot find the library, you cancel, connect the drive, then launch Music as normal. No hidden preference changes. I would recommend you move the database to <External>/Music as <External>/Music/Music Library.musiclibrary, then option start Music to get the option to choose a library, and select it. Ideally you would set the media folder to be <External>/Music/Media and consolidate to that path if it isn't already there as that simplifies the process of moving the library to a new computer or drive, backing up, etc.

See also Managing your Mac media libraries - Apple Community.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

279,107 points

Feb 7, 2023 8:11 AM in response to jimchik2

Perhaps Finder isn't reconnecting to the external drive quickly enough. If you access the drive in Finder before you launch Music does that stop Music producing a start up prompt? BTW are you shutting down Music before you shut down or reboot your computer?

tt2

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Answer 3

Matthew_J5

Community Specialist

Feb 1, 2023 3:49 PM in response to jimchik2

Hello jimchik2,

Thank you for posting to Apple Support Communities.

We understand that your issue is your music media folder keeps resetting back to its default location. Apple has a good article here that explains how to change where your music files are stored on Mac: Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support

Hold down the SHIFT key when you open the Music app. Then, select the location of the media library on your external drive. This should change it.

Note: Apple says that "Important: For best results, don’t change the location of the Music folder or the folders inside it."

That should help.

Take care.

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Answer 4

Chris_C1

Community Specialist

Feb 2, 2023 7:18 AM in response to jimchik2

Hey there jimchik2,

It may be best for you to Contact Apple Support for assistance.

Have a good one!

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Answer 5

jimchik2 Author

Level 1

71 points

Feb 2, 2023 3:49 AM in response to Matthew_J5

Thank you for the reply.

Unfortunately, this was all really no help... And to be honest, looking at the linked article, it seems to say, "here's how to change where the files are stored, but don't do this". And of course, as I booted up this morning, the location was again reset to the default location, not my chosen location.

The Organize Library option was also unfortunately useless . The Consolidate Files option would be the right one, if it didn't copy, but instead moved the files to the consolidated location (though I can imagine a situation where it might be preferable to keep the original file in its location while also adding it to the Library, ie, self-produced tracks). And with my chosen location, the Reorganize Files option is for some reason greyed out.

I guess just another tick on the list of what needs fixing in Apple Music..?

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Answer 6

jimchik2 Author

Level 1

71 points

Feb 2, 2023 9:39 AM in response to turingtest2

Ok... thanks for these tips. It seems like it may have helped, but only time will tell.

And all of this because somehow, Apple Music/iTunes (or some crazy example of user error) deleted all the album associations for 2,000+ songs in one of the genres.. oy. I then therefore started really looking at how things were organized, etc.

Best

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Answer 7

jimchik2 Author

Level 1

71 points

Feb 7, 2023 4:03 AM in response to jimchik2

A quick update: after moving the file as you said, I do get a prompt every time Music/iTunes starts after a computer reboot, asking to select a library. So, somehow, Apple Music doesn't remember what I've selected for my library's location.

And yes, of course, it's all backed up.

best

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Answer 8

turingtest2

Level 10

279,107 points

Feb 2, 2023 10:12 AM in response to jimchik2

You're welcome. 🙂

Good idea to backup the whole library if you can to another drive, such that you might be able to restore it in the event of a future repeat of something like that.

tt2

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