I tried deleting duplicate playlists and iTunes completely deleted the songs on the playlists out of my library. The songs aren't in my trash and my Mac won't let me open past iTunes libraries. Please help.
MacBook Air, iOS 10.2.1
When you delete a playlist in iTunes, it will not delete the songs within the playlist unless you option-delete the playlist. Maybe you hit the option key at the time of deletion.
In any case, whenever a song is deleted from your library you are first prompted by iTunes if you want to move the file to the trash -- except if you're not having iTunes manage your files (i.e. you have unselected the option "Copy files to iTunes Media folder ..." under Settings/ Advanced). Check your Settings/ Advanced to see if this option is unchecked, and if it is then the files likely were not deleted and are still somewhere on your computer, just not in the iTunes Media folder (but look there anyway).
I'm assuming you didn't perform a backup of your data. (There's something to be said about redundant backups of sensitive information.) If not, there are a few options:
1. If you purchased the songs from, say, the Apple store, you can re-download them for free.
2. You might find the songs on iTunes. Go to (your home folder)/Music/iTunes Music, and see if the songs are there.
Hi Rocky,
how do I check Check my Settings/ Advanced to see if the option you refer to is unchecked? I am using an IPOD touch. I recently created a playlist, and then deleted some songs from the playlist. Now they are no where to be found - they are not in my library. I am a recent apple user especially of ipods, so I don't even know where the trash is. can you help by chance?
Chrisagos
How can I recover deleted songs?
