Transfer iTunes library on old iMac to external ssd for M1 Mini

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Transfer iTunes library on old iMac to external ssd for M1 Mini

Hi there,

I've looked for an answer to this with no avail.

I have an iMac running Mojave with a 55 gb iTunes folder. Since my new M1 Mini only has 256 gb storage, I bought an external SSD for my iTunes library.

I've copied the iTunes music folder to the external ssd. I cannot get the Music program to recognize it, or replicate my playlists. Can someone please tell me where I'm going wrong?

thanks,

Glenn

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Mar 1, 2021 7:42 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

274,564 points

Mar 4, 2021 3:58 AM in response to Glenn F

No music listed, or it is there but doesn't play? My understanding is that whatever was in the .itl should migrate to the .musiclibrary file whether it can be reached or not. Which is in contrast to the behaviour when importing XML files. If it is listed it should be possible to repair any broken links.

Does the library still work in Mojave? Perhaps you need to prepare the library for moving it. Can you tell me where the active iTunes Library.itl file is and what the path to the media folder is? Did you copy the entire iTunes folder from the iMac to the external drive, or something else?

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

274,564 points

Mar 3, 2021 10:02 AM in response to Glenn F

You need to press and hold down Option as you launch Music and keep holding until you get this dialog box:

Click Choose Library... and browse to the iTunes Library.itl file you want to open.

Select the file and click Choose, then decide where the converted library is going to be saved: The normal path for the library is ~/Music/Music where ~ is your user's home folder, but if that folder already exists then Music will suggest Music 1. If there is an existing empty library there you may wish to delete it before you get started so your library can use the standard folder.

When you click Save Music should open to show your converted library. Next time you close and reopen Music the same library will be reopened.

Disconnect any devices before you trying to choose or create a library lest you run into this error:

tt2

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

274,564 points

Mar 2, 2021 3:27 AM in response to Glenn F

Glenn F wrote:

Hi, thanks,

but didn't work. I pointed to the correct iTunes file, nothing appeared in Music. I'm a tech idiot, soooo....

Glenn

Did you change the media folder in preferences (wrong approach) or press and hold down Option when launching Music and use the choose library option to select the iTunes Library.itl file from your previous computer? You would then have had to choose where to save the converted library. It is unlikely this process would have resulted in an empty library.

tt2

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Answer 4

Glenn F Author

Level 1

44 points

Mar 3, 2021 9:05 AM in response to turingtest2

Hi,

Option. One time I got it to point to the file you say, and chose it. Nothing. Now, everytime I try to go for this file it is grayed out. My iTunes folder is sitting on the external ssd. Please walk me through this, as if my knowledge was rudimentary, because it is, unfortunately. I'm a little slow these days,

Thanks,

Glenn

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Answer 5

Glenn F Author

Level 1

44 points

Mar 4, 2021 5:56 AM in response to turingtest2

See, I have been transferring sample libraries and other virtual instrument components. This isn't the first time in this process that something went sideways and the content didn't copy. I had to re-copy the 'Music' folder from the iTunes folder on the iMac to the SSD, as well as the .itl file. So, it's been a bit of an education. I just want to see what Logic can do on the basic 256gb/8gb M1 Mini configuration, and now it's easier for me to listen to music as I continue loading more 3rd party toys for Logic.

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