Revin44
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Due to the failure of the hard drive on my iMac, I recently had to have it replaced. When I now access my itunes library it is empty (previously it held approx 2000 items). Have all of those items died along with my old hard drive?

Due to the failure of the hard drive on my iMac, I recently had to have it replaced. When I now access my itunes library it is empty (previously it held approx 2000 items). Have all of those items died along with my old hard drive? I was under the impression, and was lead to believe as i was leaving the Apple store, that my iTunes library would still be accessible to me, even with a new HD.

iPod touch (4th generation), iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Sep 4, 2014 7:43 PM

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Revin44

Q: Due to the failure of the hard drive on my iMac, I recently had to have it replaced. When I now access my itunes library it is emp ... more

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Sep 4, 2014 7:58 PM in response to Revin44
    Level 9 (54,628 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2014 7:58 PM in response to Revin44

    When dealing with support you need to analyze every word you read or they say.  The pertinent part here is you can re-download most past purchases from the iTunes Store.  Apple does not keep a copy of your library which is the structure you apply such as playlists, it only makes some material available for re-download.  It's like losing your home book library to a fire.  You can get replacement books from a store but it won't put them back on the shelves the way you like, and some items may no longer be available.  Nor does Apple keep a copy of things you may have ripped from CDs unless you subscribe to iTunes Match (and even then there are conditions).  Ultimately it is up to you to maintain a backup of your computer.

     

    Downloading (using iOS or computer) past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519 - enabled with iTunes 10.3 and newer; not all media formats are available in all countries (see: iTunes in the Cloud, iTunes Match, and iTunes Radio availability by country - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5085); apps, books (not audiobooks), music, t.v. shows, and movies (some - not all studios have permitted this).  Downloading previously purchased movies and TV shows requires iTunes 10.6 or later.  Discontinued items not available. For items not included in the iCloud list (e.g., ringtones, audiobooks), or locations or computer systems where iCloud is not (yet?) available, you only get one download per fee paid.  Apple recommends,  "... back up your iTunes library. " (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519).