Don’t just say”use something else”. Here is the issue: I have my music loaded on to an old laptop using iTunes. I have this library, together with loads of playlists, synced with Apple Music (via iCloud). This has worked reasonably well over the years, meaning I can play my music on my iPad and also over my Sonos speakers. Now, my ancient laptop is on its last legs, so I thought that I’d copy the music files over to my slightly newer laptop via an external hard drive. This was completed eventually. After syncing this ‘new’ iTunes with iCloud, I eventually got all the music, and playlists, visible – and the tracks play when selected. The issue is that all the entries for the music show the ‘download’ icon. As the files are present on the laptop I would have thought that they were already downloaded, so I fear that I may not have set up the new library correctly. I had copied the files to ‘Music’ in the ‘iTunes Media’ folder. So, the questions are: a) does anyone know where I should have moved the files to, and b) how would I download the marked files anyway, other than individually clicking each one (several thousand). There is insufficient room on the newer laptop for another complete download of the music, and I’m wary of deleting the folder I have already moved over.
I am expecting loads of comments telling me that it’s my own fault for using iTunes etc, but I hope some kind soul will have positive suggestions. I don’t want to change from iTunes as I subscribe to Apple Music (I know I should have chosen Spotify – too late now).
Thanks for reading this far (if anyone has).
ATM: iTunes help needed
by 14 Comments
Typo in the tags – should read “positive replies only”. Edith never showed up.
Apologies Gee…, Can I piggyback on this and ask a similar question re. an old PC.? If I back up on an external drive can I then reload on a laptop, and would my ipod recognise the programme there?
There are lots of ITunes threads which might help, eg
Do you use iTunes Match? If so, it’s possible you have downloaded the library structure but not the files. Highlight the first batch of files and download them. If they are not then showing twice you can highlight the rest and download them. Probably.
Have you downloaded The newer “Music” app rather than iTunes? If so this might explain the problem as that app tries to full integrate with Apple Music, even if you don’t have an Apple Music account
Might be a nightmare to sort if that IS the case.
Check the settings in iTunes for the location of the files (I’m on a Mac and using the Music app and on that its under Settings and then a “Files” tab along the top)
It’s possible that you simply copied the files to the new Mac but did not import them to the library – when you synced, it did so with the files in your iCloud – leaving the files there and just imported the “structure” – hence the download icons.
If the files location on the new iTunes library is wrong, you can just change it and it should then ask you if you want to organise / consolidate the library. It’s possible that the location is correct (I.e. the default location) but that it didn’t “import” the files – you should be able to do a manual organise library / consolidate library – should be under the File / Library menu.
Pretty practical advice. Also reminds me why I kept my records and CDs.
Thanks for the advice so far. I should have said that my laptops are both running Windows 10 and I’m not using iTunes Match or have Apple Music on the laptop.
I have found 2 locations for iTunes, one under This PC\Music and the other under C:\Users\…. Each has Music\iTunes\ and here there are Music and iTunes Media folders. The Music folder contains my MP3’s. Firstly, are these sets of folders actually the same? And secondly, should the Music folder be within the iTunes Media folder? The path I have entered into Preferences on iTunes goes to Music\iTunes\Music.
I wonder if my best bet would be to just delete iTunes and re-download, with iCloud switched off?
I’m not familiar with Windows file structures, so can’t really help you there.
Having said that, the iTunes music library can be located anywhere – as long as it matches with the path set in preferences (I have mine pointing to an external NAS drive and sometimes when I lose network it will default to the local drive and I have to reset).
I don’t think you need to delete iTunes. As mentioned in my comment above, if the file location in preferences matches the actual location of your MP3 files, then run “consolidate library” (or organise library).
If that doesn’t work, you mentioned that you copied the music files via an external disk – if they are still on that disk, delete the music files on your new laptop and then do “import” to the iTunes libabry instead of simply copying over.
Thanks @Chrisf for all your help and suggestions. These all sounded reasonable to me, but unfortunately haven’t worked. I’m probably doing something that is obviously wrong, but I think that I’ll continue with my old laptop/iTunes until it gives up the ghost for good. At least I have 2 copies of my music (in addition to the original) . I’ll perhaps return to the issue in the future. Cheers
Can I switch off sync to iCloud without losing all my music on my iPad? I’m now worried about losing Playlists etc, which include songs on Apple Music that I haven’t ripped myself. I don’t have any downloaded music on my iPad.
I’m definitely feeling my age now!
You shouldn’t have chosen Spotify. Apple Music is MUCH better.
I didn’t choose Spotify, I chose Apple Music.
I know. That’s what I’m saying. You made the correct choice.