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bgerber19

Q: An iTunes library cannot be found?

I moved my iTunes library from my old computer to an external hard drive using the instructions outlined here: iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - Apple Support

Now I want to access that library from my new computer, but it just says an iTunes library cannot be found in the folder that I moved it into. Any ideas? Help would be much appreciated.

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Jun 10, 2015 9:04 PM

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Q: An iTunes library cannot be found?

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  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Jun 10, 2015 9:11 PM in response to bgerber19
    Level 9 (53,936 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 10, 2015 9:11 PM in response to bgerber19

    You didn't move the library, you moved the media (as the document says).  The rest of the files that make up your library are still on the old computer.  What iTunes is looking for in particular is one called iTunes Library.itl which is catalog of your old library's content, and playlists, and ratings, and play count.  But you are missing other files such as all your artwork.

     

    How you should have done it --> Moving a library: Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its sub-folders and files) intact to the other drive.  Hold down the option (alt) key (shift on Windows) and open iTunes.  At the prompt to create or choose a library choose the copied iTunes folder.

     

    In your case you need to make the library portable again.  turingtest2 article: Make a split library portable - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392

  • by bgerber19,

    bgerber19 bgerber19 Jun 11, 2015 8:04 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 11, 2015 8:04 AM in response to Limnos

    Man that's a bummer I wish I realized what I was doing wrong. Thanks for the help. I did all of this in a hurry as I just left my house for the summer and won't be returning for eight weeks, and I left my old macbook at home. Is there anything I can do to access the music from my hard drive?

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 11, 2015 8:37 AM in response to bgerber19
    Level 9 (53,936 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 11, 2015 8:37 AM in response to bgerber19

    You can still use the media but you will have to start afresh with a new library/catalog file.

     

    If you think you will want to unite your old library file and the media at a later stage I would change preferences settings so iTunes does not organize your media or copy it to the media folder and just use it in-place as it is more or less untouched for when you get your old library file on there.  Drag the media to the library or used the Add command in the iTunes menu and select the top level media folder.  By disabling the above preferences the media will not be moved.

     

    If you want to forget about the old library file and make a new one there you may wish to create the new library on the external drive.  Start with the option key method as described earlier and create a new library on the external. Do not change default preferences for organize and add in this instance.  Drag the media to the "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder in the new iTunes > Media folder just created and the media will be moved and organized in that folder and added to the new library.

     

    Read this for more understanding on what is actually taking place with iTunes:

     

    About iTunes library files - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201610 - Does not mention that a complete working library also includes other files and folders also in the iTunes folder.

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

     

    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

     

    Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391