Preston24
Level 1 (9 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Imported playlists but not all songs will import

I exported my playlists from my macpro mnt lion and when I used my thumbdrive to import it to my macbook pro (mavericks) some but not all songs in the playlists imported. It just says the files can not be found.... - Just before this I imported the entire library so I know my entire media library is on the macbook pro.

 

Some files are mpegs and some are AAC but there is no correlation with what files are being transfered correctly as its both.

 

macpro (mnt lion) --> macbook pro (mavericks)

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Jan 15, 2016 12:21 PM

by Kenichi Watanabe,Solvedanswer
Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe
Level 8 (38,823 points)
Mac OS X
A:

This document describes how to back up your iTunes folder to an external drive (or a USB flash drive if large enough).

 

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

 

To summarize, the first section consolidates your media files into the iTunes Media folder inside your iTunes folder (the one inside your user account Music folder).  For a Mac user, if you are using the default settings, all of your media files (for iTunes) should already be in that iTunes Media folder, but it does not hurt to do it, just in case.  The second section copies the iTunes folder to an external drive.  The third section restores the iTunes folder, in your case to the new Mac.  You should do this part with iTunes NOT running.  You are replacing the existing (new) iTunes folder was on the new Mac with the iTunes folder from the old Mac.  When you run iTunes, it uses the iTunes library and data from the old Mac, complete with all songs (and other media) plus the supporting data, such as playlists, ratings, play count, date added, etc.

Posted on Jan 20, 2016 10:23 PM

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Preston24

Q: Imported playlists but not all songs will import

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 15, 2016 12:35 PM in response to Preston24
    Level 8 (38,823 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 12:35 PM in response to Preston24

    You should transfer your complete iTunes folder (in one piece), which would include all of your media files and your iTunes library database (where the supporting data such as playlists, ratings, play count, date added, etc. are stored).  Then, iTunes on the new Mac looks like iTunes on the old Mac, with all of your songs and playlists, because you are using the SAME library; you are not adding your media files to a new library.

     

    If you want more info on how to do this, instead of trouble-shooting your playlist export/import issue, please post back.

  • by Preston24,

    Preston24 Preston24 Jan 20, 2016 11:15 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 20, 2016 11:15 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    I'm pretty sure that I did transfer the iTunes folder, but if not, that would be great if you could give me more information on how to do it. Thanks!

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Solvedanswer

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 20, 2016 10:23 PM in response to Preston24
    Level 8 (38,823 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 20, 2016 10:23 PM in response to Preston24

    This document describes how to back up your iTunes folder to an external drive (or a USB flash drive if large enough).

     

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

     

    To summarize, the first section consolidates your media files into the iTunes Media folder inside your iTunes folder (the one inside your user account Music folder).  For a Mac user, if you are using the default settings, all of your media files (for iTunes) should already be in that iTunes Media folder, but it does not hurt to do it, just in case.  The second section copies the iTunes folder to an external drive.  The third section restores the iTunes folder, in your case to the new Mac.  You should do this part with iTunes NOT running.  You are replacing the existing (new) iTunes folder was on the new Mac with the iTunes folder from the old Mac.  When you run iTunes, it uses the iTunes library and data from the old Mac, complete with all songs (and other media) plus the supporting data, such as playlists, ratings, play count, date added, etc.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 20, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 8 (38,823 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 20, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Sorry, I forgot to include the link to the document.  I edited the post to include the link.  Also shown below.

     

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

  • by Preston24,

    Preston24 Preston24 Jan 20, 2016 10:23 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 20, 2016 10:23 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Excellent! It worked, thanks so much!