HT203225: If you don't see your entire library after you update iTunes on your Mac or PC

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LDuth

Q: Help!- itunes library empty and showing as 'Damaged' after update - on external drive

I keep my itunes library on an external hard drive - now it is showing as "iTunes Library (Damaged)" and it is empty when I open it in iTunes. I have 100gb of music and many playlists I'd like to recover! Thx.

 

iOS 10.6.8, iTunes 11.4

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 11, 2015 2:50 PM

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Q: Help!- itunes library empty and showing as 'Damaged' after update - on external drive

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos May 11, 2015 3:40 PM in response to LDuth
    Level 9 (53,576 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 11, 2015 3:40 PM in response to LDuth

    Best way? Replace the iTunes Library.itl with a backup you made just before upgrading software.  As long as your music files are intact it is this file which does what you see when you start iTunes. Alternatives:

     

    ASC user turingtest2 help document: Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6561

     

    iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

  • by LDuth,

    LDuth LDuth May 11, 2015 5:33 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 11, 2015 5:33 PM in response to Limnos

    Thakn you Limnos. If I don't have a backup though-- I'm assuming I'm out of luck? There is no 'previous library' folder on the external for some reason.

     

    In this case I think I could re-create the library with the xml file and music folder.

  • by LDuth,

    LDuth LDuth May 11, 2015 5:36 PM in response to LDuth
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 11, 2015 5:36 PM in response to LDuth

    Solved-  I simply removed the 'damaged' part of the file name and replaced with .itl., then held down option key while opening itunes to select this file. The library is restored.

    Thanks!

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos May 11, 2015 7:30 PM in response to LDuth
    Level 9 (53,576 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 11, 2015 7:30 PM in response to LDuth

    You are probably mistaken in your statement you have your library on the external drive. A library is media files plus a host of support files and folders.  You may have relocated media only to the external drive and the rest of your files are still in your Music > iTunes folder in your user account.  Wherever it is, it is that library file that is damaged.  You don't say what it was you updated.  If it was the iTunes application you can take the previous library out of the folder etc.