The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created with a newer version of iTunes

As a follow up here - Apple is getting even worse in iTunes 12 over 11 - now there's absolutely no way to bring back the navigation column on the left hand side anymore. Rather than trying to completely re-learn their interface all over again, I took your option of reverting my software back to the one I liked the best anyway - 10.7!

If Apple wants to deprecate navigation and functionality because they think in their infinite wisdom they know the best UI for all users fine, but if you're reading this Apple, read carefully:

Let us change the default interface - because let's face it - you don't know what my preferences are, and how dare you dictate to me or anyone else how I should or should not manage MY CONTENT on MY DEVICES.

I paid you licensing for the songs...

I paid you for the device...

But I also have my own content that I want to manage myself - not through you, so stop forcing me to alter my workflow every time your "geniuses" get a bug up their craw...

Ok, after an hour on the phone with a nice Apple guy wh told me there is no way possible to go back if you have a library.itl error I decided to just hack the program.

Here was my issue:

i have a 3TB iTunes library which is comprised of my own Cd collection (about 4000 discs) and HD downloads. The total library is about 4400 albums.

I use a core 2 duo Mac Mini as a home server, as it is powerful enough to serve the house with my entire media content (music from iTunes and movies populated on external discs connected to my Mac Mini).

A friend gifted me a new Mac Pro (black garbage can style) which is running Yosemite and the latest (red) iTunes. When I opened my iTunes library with the newest version of iTunes, it would no longer open on my Mac Mini which can only run Lion and iTunes 10.7. I got the dreaded library.itl error and a rediculious insult from Apple suggesting I search for a newer version of iTunes, fully aware that mine is the latest and I am FUBARed relative to using my library again on my Mac mini.

Thanks Apple...... (I miss Scott Forsill and his software ideology BTW)

The Solution:

1. With the external 3TB drive connected to my Mini, I opend the ITunes library and dragged the library.itl out of the folder. (Thus preserving it for future use on the Mac Pro).

2. Option-clicking the ITunes app I launched it and made a NEW iTunes library on my desktop (thus the internal drive).

3. I dragged an album onto the iTunes icon to import it and thus make a library.

4. Closed the app and then copied the library.itl file into the iTunes folder on the 3TB drive.

5. Option-click again and select the iTunes folder on the external drive

6. Take a deep breath as it will launch and show only one album (which ironically is not actually there)...... but relax.

7. From the file menu I chose Add to Library and navigate to your media folder where all my music is and went to bed.

The Result?

I ended up with a 94% fix. Almost all of the albums are there, with proper meta data, covers and order of release (dates and such are fine).

However, I have about 300 discs which need covers (which the iTunes Store cannot find for some reason - probably HD tracks albums which I have labelled with the sample rate ie: Dark Side Of The Moon 24/192.

I also have an issue with some albums which ripped as a single file, because of issues with the original disc..... and I need to fix those.

so there you go.

A Solution, ....... and I remain open to any suggestions as to how to repair my database without having to manually access each file.

NOW,... Have any of you code-heads ever looked at the library.itl file to see if it can just be modified????

The steps in Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash usually work and the process preserves ratings, play counts, playlists, date added, and some other data that isn't stored in tags. You can't dive in and tweak a damaged .itl file back to life by flipping bits at random.

I couldn't quite work out where you'd placed your library and media files in the end, but you might find my tip Make a split library portable has some useful pointers. As long as the library is a portable layout you can connect iTunes to a clone of the folder on any other drive and it will work, making cloning (and selectively updating the clone after changes) a viable backup strategy.

tt2

This doesn't do crap for me

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash. Perhaps you need to shift-start-iTunes to make sure it is trying to open the correct .itl file in the first place.

tt2

You don have to use long process just ... - \Users\username\Music\iTunes\ and then delete all folder,,,, u done then open I tune work done .. very easy.

You've replied to a 2.5 year old post already marked as solved. Your solution as written is to throw everything away, media included. 😮 Sure it will allow iTunes to start without that error message, but now there is no media. If you want a quick and crude solution to the problem as posted then deleting the file iTunes Library.itl would allow iTunes to start, and it would offer to import the user's media, but that method loses playlists, ratings, play counts, etc. and any devices that are synced will see it as a new library and want to erase and reload all content.

tt2

I tried to follow those steps but whether I was in My Documents under c: or user/My Documents, I am denied access to the My Music folder. What's up with that? I'm the only user (and always have been) on this laptop.

Turns out after posting this, I was shown another post that suggested using the "Music" folder instead of "My Music." That worked. When iTunes opened, I had to create a new library, but once that happened, the app launched.

OH MY GOD YOUR A LIFESAVOR TY SO MUCH!!! THIS 100% WORKED!

I tried this method but I do not have a Previous iTunes Libraries folder, so what do I do without that?

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash. Are you looking in the right place for the Previous iTunes Libraries folder, or is iTunes actually looking in the right place for the current .itl?

tt2

Thank you!

i dragged and dropped the "itunes library.itl" file into the desktop and opened itunes, and it worked for me. 🙂

Great ! it worked for me...thanks a lot Zlo

Thank you so much, I resolved the probelem!!!

Hello Sir, not sure if you're still available. I have this same error message, how ever, I have no more Itunes Library. Once I had the issue of the latest version of Itunes crashing, I deleted it and installed an earlier version. So I can't launch Itunes. I have the mp3's all saved on my PC so its not big deal to "re-add" them, or pull them from my Iphone. So, the fix of pulling the old Itunes library is out. Any ideas on how to get the program to launch? Thanks for your time.

Tom