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pippaab Author

Level 1

4 points

How to restore old iTunes libraries/missing Apple Music songs?

Hi all,

Apple Music on PC deleted all of my songs, so I re-authorized the computer and dragged some of my files back in, but there's a heap of songs missing. I can see whole albums that haven't come across, for example.

I re-downloaded from purchased and they're still missing, so I assume this is a hangover from iTunes where you used to buy songs directly rather than download them through Apple Music. Is there a way to access these Apple Music files?

I also have backed up my old libraries, but Apple Music says it doesn't recognise .itl files. Some of my old libraries have also been renamed iTunes Library (Damaged).

I'm on a PC, if that helps - I see some advice about converting .itl on Mac programs but can't see the PC one.

Thanks!

Posted on Jul 4, 2025 9:55 PM

Top-ranking reply

turingtest2

Level 10

280,639 points

Posted on Jul 5, 2025 6:05 AM

Apple Music for Windows should, when first installed, convert your existing .itl library to the Music format. Once installed Apple Music for Windows has no features to swap libraries or open .itl files. My recommendation would be to uninstall each of Apple Music/Devices/TV so that iTunes can work correctly again. Otherwise it is limited to managing audiobooks and podcasts.

tt2

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How to restore old iTunes libraries/missing Apple Music songs?

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