Preston24
Level 1 (9 points)
Mac OS X

Q: files not showing up after transfer

I copied my iTunes library to an external hard drive,and then uploaded it to my macbook pro. My problem is some of the files are not showing up in itunes - it appears I will have a to go through my entire library of thousands of songs and drag them in

 

 

 

macpro mnt lion --> macbookpro mavericks

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Jan 15, 2016 12:15 PM

Close
Preston24

Q: files not showing up after transfer

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Pmintz25,Helpful

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Jan 20, 2016 10:28 PM in response to Preston24
    Level 4 (1,634 points)
    Jan 20, 2016 10:28 PM in response to Preston24

    When you say you copied your iTunes Library, which folder(s) did you move exactly? Also, where did you move them to?

     

    If you moved the entire iTunes folder to the correct spot, iTunes will automatically find it and have all of your content. However, if your content was not consolidated before you copied the folder, meaning the content wasn't all in the iTunes folder for some reason, iTunes will only have the content that was in the iTunes folder to begin with. I would look in the iTunes folder on your old computer and make sure all of your content is there. If it's not, you need to consolidate your library using this article.

     

    By default, iTunes will keep your library organized, but if you moved or copied files to a different location on the computer, iTunes won't see it.

    Look through the steps in the article below. If you didn't follow these steps, try again. iTunes issues can get messy if they aren't done properly.

     

    How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support

     

    Note that the below article shouldn't be used unless you are truly missing files, as it can create duplicated files. It tells you how to consolidate your library which ensures all of your content is in the correct folder.

    Back up your iTunes library by copying it to an external drive - Apple Support

  • by Preston24,

    Preston24 Preston24 Jan 20, 2016 11:30 AM in response to Pmintz25
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 20, 2016 11:30 AM in response to Pmintz25

    I went to Music-->iTunes-->iTunes Media then drug the Music folder over to the external hard-drive and then put that folder in the same place on the laptop. Now that I think about it, I think that I copied the iTunes folder over.  I did check some of the song files that didn't show up in the playlists but they were also within the iTunes folder.

  • by Pmintz25,

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Jan 21, 2016 11:25 AM in response to Preston24
    Level 4 (1,634 points)
    Jan 21, 2016 11:25 AM in response to Preston24

    Usually you would want to copy either the iTunes Media folder or the entire iTunes folder but as long as you replaced the existing folder with your original it should be fine. If you only copied Music > iTunes > iTunes Media > Music, it will only have the files that are in that Music folder.

     

    If you aren't seeing the songs in the iTunes but you ARE seeing them in the music folder, check iTunes > Preferences > Advanced and make sure iTunes is looking in the right spot: /Users/yourname/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media

     

    If it is, try adding the Music folder to iTunes; File > Add to iTunes, then navigate to the Music folder and add it. Let me know if it helps.