Add me to the list...corrupted iTunes library

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Level 1

53 points

Add me to the list...corrupted iTunes library

Greetings fellow iTunes sufferers!

iTunes 12.2.0.145 appears to have corrupted "My Music". My issue is that song titles within certain albums are unable to find the original file. However, when I click on that song, it automatically streams the music and puts the cloud download option next to the track.

I can't tell if it happened when I uploaded iTunes 12.2.0.145 or when I turned on Apple Music.

Hoping Apple can issue a fix because like everyone else, my iTunes music library goes back a decade or more and having it willy nilly corrupted is unacceptable. 😠

C'mon Apple, get this fixed...

Posted on Jul 2, 2015 10:32 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,259 points

Jul 2, 2015 10:49 PM in response to corgi75082

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

Here are the two main methods. Method 1 does revert your library list (but not media files) to the state it was at the time indicated on the file but all metadata are preserved. Method 2 may permit using a more recent version (.xml) of your iTunes library than a previous .itl version but you have to be willing to accept loss of some metadata.

1) iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201561 - These instructions have you open iTunes with an old iTunes library file archived at the time you last updated iTunes. This will revert your library content list and appearance to what it was at the date indicated on the file. Newer media not in this list will still be in your media folder. You can re-add these by dragging your media folders to the Automatically Add To iTunes folder but they will regarded as brand new items.

A method 1 shortcut that seems to work with more recent iTunes versions - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7105888?answerId=28484935022#28484935022 - However, I have not tried this and would want to make sure it didn't start creating additional files and folders inside the "previous libraries" folder that doing things the official way would avoid.

2) If you don't see your content after updating iTunes - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203225 - These instructions use a trimmed-down version of your library file to rebuild your primary library file. You lose some metadata (ratings, play count, date added) but the listing should be fairly up to date.

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Answer 2

corgi75082 Author

Level 1

53 points

Jul 2, 2015 11:24 PM in response to Limnos

Actually I realized it was about 500 files that couldn't be located. It's a bit tedious, but I'm manually "finding" the files for iTunes. Some of the original files are in odd places in th iTunes folder. Will let ya'll know if it doesn't work.

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

411,259 points

Jul 3, 2015 2:19 PM in response to corgi75082

If you use iTunes' default preferences settings finding one file should get iTunes to offer to find others.

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Answer 4

corgi75082 Author

Level 1

53 points

Jul 3, 2015 2:32 PM in response to corgi75082

It did offer to find other files and that sped things up nicely. Thanks for the advise on everything...luckily I didn't have any incorrectly named songs or incorrect album art, just lost files.

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Answer 5

Jul 3, 2015 4:28 PM in response to corgi75082

Did your library become corrupted after you enabled Apple Music? There's a theory floating around that Apple Music messes with song metadata and file locations in the user's library.

Thanks to our community, I have held off in downloading 12.2. Since I have no intention of using Apple Music, the answer to the question above may tell me whether I can safely install this update without corrupting my rather large library.

Thank you!

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Answer 6

corgi75082 Author

Level 1

53 points

Jul 3, 2015 5:12 PM in response to Andrew Weiss

I waited a few days after installing 12.2 to enable Apple Music. I'm not sure if it was the 12.2 or the Apple Music that did it. I noticed it when I went to sync music to my iPhone (have smart playlists that constantly swap out music) and it said it couldn't bring over like 100 songs as the originals couldn't be found. I then started manually "finding" the songs and it told me there was about 500 in total. My gut is telling me it was enabliing Apple Music, but I can't say 100% for sure.

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