HT204406: Get help with iTunes Match

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mclary101
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Q: Hard Drive wiped out - Can I rebuild the library with iTunes Match?

My hard drive and external back of my entire music library (15,000+ songs) were completely deleted. I would like to recover this in some way other than loading each single CD one at a time again. I have iTunes Match so I was wondering if there is someway for me to rebuild my library via download from the cloud or something so that I can maintain a new physical copy of the files on my computer again? Or will I have to do this from my iPod?

iTunes Match, Windows 8

Posted on Jan 12, 2014 10:14 AM

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mclary101

Q: Hard Drive wiped out - Can I rebuild the library with iTunes Match?

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  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Jan 14, 2014 6:42 AM in response to mclary101
    Community Specialists
    Jan 14, 2014 6:42 AM in response to mclary101

    Hello Mclary101,

     

    Thanks for your question! Im sorry to hear about your computer but it sounds like you had iTunes Match turned on before this happened. You should be able to use this article to get your music in iTunes Match re downloaded:

    iTunes: How to add a computer or iOS device to iTunes Match

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4913

    To add a computer to iTunes Match

    1. Open the latest version of iTunes on the computer you intend to add. You can download the latest version of iTunes here.
    2. Sign in with the Apple ID you use with iTunes Match.
    3. Choose Store > Turn On iTunes Match.
    4. Click the Add This Computer button.
    5. When prompted, enter your Apple ID password.
    6. HT4913-itunes_11-iTunes_Match_Window-001-en.png
    7. iTunes will automatically begin scanning your computer's library for matches.
    8. A status indicator will allow you to track progress. You may also manually pause and resume the process at any time by clicking the Stop or Start button.
    9. Once iTunes has completed matching and uploading your iTunes library, your music in iCloud will be integrated into your local music library. A download button will appear to the right of any content that you have in iCloud that doesn't already exist on your computer.

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

    Regards,

    Sterling