my library is gone

Use your backup copy of your computer to put it all back.

I don't know that I have a backup copy on this computer.

Where would I go to find that?

Okay, this happened to me last night. I have just read a post that explains that itunes can get corrupted and you get left with this empty folder BUT the music is still on your computer. The empty itunes window has a "link" that says something like "Do you want itunes to search for music on your computer?" This is for first time users who may have music on their computer downloaded from elsewhere. I hit this link and 1600 songs were found and retrieved, which was my entire library. The thing is you lose the playlists, so have to do all the sorting again. But at least the music is still there. Hope that helps.

This method could recover your playlists...

Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash

Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.

See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.

When you get it all working make a backup!

tt2

My backed up library did not transfer to my new iPhone5. I tried to "Restore" my phone several times and after each time to restore from backup. But each time it started to download the entire music library from our computer.

I called Apple support and he suggested I manually put back all the songs I want. But there's got to be a better way. Should I iCloud my old phone's music libary and then "cloud" it into my new phone?

Anybody have this problem or suggestions? I'd appreciate it.

Did not want to put it ALL back, just what I had had in my old iphone (3GS).

I suspect iTuunes doesn't know what the old iPhone had on it. Change your sync options to suit your needs. If you sync with selected playlists then it is easy to keep a playlist handy that can be restored to the device, or a replacement, at any time.

tt2

Thank you most kindly! I opened my iTunes up and was greated with nothing in my library except 'iCloud' nonsense. You've saved the day. Although I did nothing to corrupt the library so this is not good. Obviously all my ripped music and mp3's are backed up elsewhere but man that was making me very upset. This sort of thing should not happen. Not with as much money as we all spend with these guys. Thanks again.

okay i still have mine

A slightly harsh boast to make to the original poster, two and a half years later. 😕

tt2

Steve,

I suspect Jesse110904 is on a mission, whose purpose is known only to himself (or herself)! You should see his other posts from today. On second thoughts, you needn't bother.

Phil 😉

😎

tt2

Hi! Follow this advice.

You're missing music or other media in iTunes

• iTunes Store: Finding missing purchases and downloads
• If you've recently updated iTunes, follow steps in No content shows up in iTunes after updating.
• If you're attempting to restore your iTunes library from a backup, see iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive.
• If your iTunes library is unexpectedly empty (iTunes for Windows only), see iTunes creates an empty library file in Windows.

thurmanfromphiladelphia

15-Oct-2011 22:18

i have no music

The horse bolted.... a long time ago. 😉

We're only here because Jesse woke up a dead thread.

tt2