Restoring lost music libraries from Time Machine backup

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Restoring lost music libraries from Time Machine backup

I recently lost Music and other media libraries after reinstall of OS (From Big Sur to Monterey, in Recovery Mode after failed restart). I have now upgraded to current Ventura 13.6 on advice from Apple Support, but still need to restore the library/libraries from my Time Machine Backup. It has been difficult to connect with someone on Apple Support to advise on this step.

I would like to clarify which folders I should be restoring, as my Music Library includes folders for previous iTunes Library and for Music Library. (Old iTunes folders and libraries were transferred and presumably incorporated into Music app when all data was transferred to new iMac 2021 M1 chip, Big Sur OS, and Music app, approx 2 years ago). If restored, will folders/ music files go to the appropriate locations in Music in the new Ventura OS? (Folders do appear in Music, but they are currently empty). I do not subscribe to Apple Music, so these are actual music files on the hard drive, collected over many years on Apple computers with successive Apple OS.

I am unclear why the Music content was lost with the OS change to Monterey; additionally other media was also lost, including videos, slideshows using music stored in iTunes and Music, "Home Videos" previously in iTunes, then moved to TV when iTunes was discontinued. I am hoping these folders and files will function in the new Ventura OS Music and other media apps.

Can anyone advise - if I simply restore these folders from my Time Machine backup, will they go to the appropriate locations in Ventura, and function as previously in Big Sur?

Thank you!

Note: current computer is iMac 2021 24" on OS 13.6

iMac 21.5″

Posted on Sep 25, 2023 11:14 PM

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Answer 1

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hv60 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 26, 2023 3:58 PM in response to hv60

Good news! Situation resolved after reaching helpful and knowledgable Support Advisor by phone. We did do restorations from Time Machine. Restored entire Music folder which included iTunes and Music libraries, entire Movies folder, and some folders/files from Pictures. Was instructed to first open Finder to the correct user/ home (where the files should reside), then opened Time Machine browse function to date containing the data I wished to restore, selected relevant folder and clicked restore. All worked smoothly and quickly, Music and TV opened, everything there and operational! Very very happy to have music and videos back!

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,731 points

Sep 26, 2023 4:37 AM in response to hv60

Your music files are probably there but the location may have changed. Open Music, preferences, files and see where Music believes they should be. Then open your drive and see if they are at that location. You can search the TM backup for the Music directory and restore to the location you like. Just be sure the location is reflected correctly in the Music app.

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Answer 3

hv60 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 26, 2023 1:03 PM in response to tbirdvet

Thanks, I'm pretty sure the music files are not there. Folders with same organization as previously are there, but they are empty, songs cannot be found with search, no evidence of very large music and video data in Storage, etc. But it is easy to find them on the TM backup, so I guess I will just have to try restoring Music folder from TM and see what happens ... Just not sure if I should be bringing over all the old iTunes folders as well.

Thanks.

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Answer 4

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,731 points

Sep 26, 2023 4:16 PM in response to hv60

Good the hear!

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Restoring lost music libraries from Time Machine backup

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