How do I add already existing m4a files to itunes?

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How do I add already existing m4a files to itunes?

So my apple music downloads suddenly got removed from offline download. And had to download it again. But for all those files, I already have the m4a files and they wont add upon dragging or adding to library. It is just creating error cloud status or duplicates for other mp3 files. They are not getting added and still showing as to be downloaded (removed from offline download). Upon downloading these files, they create a duplicate file in the itunes folder. When i delete that fole, locate the song again, and trace it to the original one, it plays! Anyway have to go through the pain to download them, delete duplicate files and locate them back, which is not possible! Please help!!

Posted on Apr 13, 2018 11:14 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

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Apr 14, 2018 11:14 AM in response to kopal317

OK, to the best of my knowledge you cannot import locally stored Apple Music tracks with DRM back into the iCloud Music Library. That is why I suggested using the Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash tip to revert to a version of the database that "knew" the tracks were stored on your computer. Once it "knows" that they are not the best thing to do is delete all of the .m4p files. You can then download any that you want for offline use without creating second copies in the media folder, leaving originals that iTunes won't ever access and that take up room.

In iTunes you can select your Apple Music content, right click, and use remove download to clear any locally stored files and make sure that the library knows these should be in the cloud. Then with iTunes closed delete the Apple Music folder inside your media folder. When you restart iTunes it should behave normally and you can now choose to download selected content when you wish too.

See Make a split library portable for tips on managing an iTunes library on an external drive.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

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Apr 14, 2018 9:48 AM in response to kopal317

See About iCloud Music Library icons and status - Apple Support. Enable the iCloud Status columns in the Songs view sort the tracks as album by artist so a single album with all of its duplicates and cloud information is visible on screen. Download at least one track from the album. Please take a screen shot of what you see in iTunes. Use the right-click > Show in Windows Explorer tool to see what is in the album folder and take a screenshot of that too. Please both images here so I can get a better understanding of the issue.

tt2

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Answer 3

kopal317 Author

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Apr 16, 2018 3:48 AM in response to turingtest2

So, I finally, after all those procedures already done, removed all apple music downloads, shut itunes, then deleted the whole apple music folder. Restart itunes and downloading files again. They are downloading, they seem to work fine. I hope this was what you meant.

Also, in the advanced preferences of itunes, the folder where itunes media is saved is defined directly as a folder in my hard disk. That is fine, right?

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Answer 4

kopal317 Author

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Apr 13, 2018 12:52 PM in response to turingtest2

I didnt have the tmp file, i had itl file which I uploaded and did the same procedure. It didnt happen. Only the apple music downloads that I downloaded again appeared as offline, rest were still on cloud.

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Answer 5

kopal317 Author

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Apr 14, 2018 9:41 AM in response to turingtest2

Still didnt happen. I really appreciate you helpig out this patiently. But i’m really panicing here.

I have no problem downloading all files again, but i just need a way to delete the duplicates. Because when i deleted one or two after redownloading, they’re shoing as error

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Answer 6

kopal317 Author

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Apr 14, 2018 10:44 AM in response to turingtest2

I had the icloud status on, it shows apple music. Wait I'll show you.

I downloaded plastic dreams and then the folder looks like this

Can this be because all the music is saved in an external drive? I connect it and then open itunes. And automatic downloads take place in the disk directly. I cannot save all the music offline on the laptop due to space issues.

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Answer 7

turingtest2

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Apr 16, 2018 4:18 AM in response to kopal317

Yes, the media folder is normally set to User/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media. If you want to be able to download media for offline use and have it all stored on an external drive then see my advice in Make a split library portable.

tt2

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Answer 8

kopal317 Author

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Apr 16, 2018 8:41 AM in response to turingtest2

Thank youuu.😁

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Answer 9

turingtest2

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Apr 16, 2018 8:42 AM in response to kopal317

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

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Answer 10

turingtest2

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Apr 13, 2018 11:33 AM in response to kopal317

Hmm, sounds like a case of Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash. If you have an iCloud Music Library with everything shown in the cloud then merging locally stored content back into it or redownloading will cause problems.

tt2

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Answer 11

kopal317 Author

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Apr 13, 2018 12:21 PM in response to turingtest2

Yup, that happened right after updating my iphone iOS. And the whole library deleted. Upon importing, downloaded music appeared as duch, but all apple music was not shown as offline. What do i do? I can download them again, i actually did half of them, and realised i already have those m4a files and I’m doubling up space. And with 5k songs, its impossible to sit and delete duplicate files.

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Answer 12

turingtest2

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Apr 13, 2018 12:28 PM in response to kopal317

Sign out of iCloud Music Library, close iTunes, restore the recent backup of the library from the Previous iTunes Libraries folder or the .tmp file if you have one, launch iTunes and sign in again.

tt2

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Answer 13

turingtest2

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Apr 13, 2018 1:09 PM in response to kopal317

In that case while you're signed out of iCloud Music Library add your iTunes Media folder to the library, then sign in again. It may do a better job of merging your actual media with your iCloud Music Library.

tt2

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How do I add already existing m4a files to itunes?

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