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Convert music library created in Music App 1.3.6 to open in older version of Music?

I've got a dilemma. I need to be able to take my iTunes (Music App ver 1.3.6) library, which was created on my 2019 Macbook Pro running os Ventura 13.7, and open it on my 2015 MacBook Pro which is running os Monterey 12.7, which obviously has the previous version of the Music App. I'm running Ventura on the 2019 out of necessity, and as you know the 2015 can only be updated as far as Monterey, so having them both on the same os is not an option. Before updating the 2019 to Ventura from Monterey I contacted apple asking if this would be a problem and was told "I don't think so," which definitely wouldn't be the first time apple support lead me astray... so here I am now, with this problem. I know officially there's probably no way to accomplish this, but there's gotta be some kind of hack that will allow me to open this library in the previous version of the Music App, no? My library is extremely extensive with thousands of playlists so importing this in ways that would require me to rebuild it in pieces is not an option. Please, somebody tell me of a method that would make this possible. Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Jan 1, 2025 11:01 PM

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2 replies

Jan 2, 2025 9:07 AM in response to MiggsTheMusicMan

In general iTunes & Music libraries are forwards compatible. Once you've moved forwards you cannot go back. At each update that modifies the structure of the library Music will save the old library in the Previous Music Libraries folder, so one you have in there should be compatible with the older version of Music, however it will be missing recent additions to the library. An alternative approach is to export the current library as an XML file, then on the other machine, with all music files on matching paths to the current one, you can import the XML playlist into an empty library which will rebuild it, but does reset all date added values. The remaining option is a subscription to Apple Music which should recreate the library with date added values.


tt2

Convert music library created in Music App 1.3.6 to open in older version of Music?

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