Apple Music iTunes 12
Apple's iTune sis constantly evaluating. So version 12 differs quite a lot from earlier versions. This webpage aims on the version 12, which introduces Apple Music.
Big Picture
Let's start with the major message: Apple Music does not make your live easy. The service intends to make your music free by adding tons of music for a low price. Is that not true? Yes it is, but it has its consequences you may not like at all. Let's try to explain this and I am sorry to say that is also not easy at all.
If you own more than one Apple device, you want to have the Music functionality on all devices (iMacs, MacBooks, iPhone, iPads and iPods). And that is basically possible, if you use iCloud as storage for your music.
Review
[ToDo]
iCloud Status icons
Waiting
Music Missing 1
After using the Migration Assistant to create a new instance on my new Mac using the Time Machine Backup a lot of music was on the list of the Music App but the location was missing. The structure of the Music App is still more or less the same:
| ~/Music/iTunes | |
|---|---|
| Folder/File | Description |
| Album Artwork | This is iTune's proprietary, poorly compressed, method of storing album art |
| Backup | Mine is not there, so maybe deprecated. |
| Playlists | Backup and current Infobrowser.opml |
| Previous iTunes Libraries | Every time you do an update your 'iTunes Library.itl' is saved here in case there's problems with the update |
| iTunes Media: | This is where the good stuff is. See the next table. |
| iTunes Music Library.xml | Old library index file |
| iTunes Library.itl | New library index file |
| ltdb, ltl and xml | Your iTunes Library files are here as well, Genius, Extras, Music Library, etc. |
| ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media | |
|---|---|
| Folder/File | Description |
| Apple Music ./Compilations |
Apple DRM related Music sorted by:
|
| Automatically Add to iTunes | |
| Automatically Add to Music | |
| Automatically Add to TV | |
| Downloads | |
| Downloads-Music | |
| Home Videos | |
| Mobile Applications | |
| Movies | |
| Music | Your own music (not DRM). |
| Podcasts | |
| Voice Memos | |
Music Missing 2
For macOS 10.15 Catalina or later
If you're missing expected content in the Music or TV apps after upgrading to Catalina or Big Sur from something earlier:
- try holding down option as you start either app
- browse to the location of your previous iTunes Library to attempt the upgrade again.
You may need to delete the file ~/Music/Music/Music Library first.
If there is no change you can try importing the iTunes Music Library.XML file should it exist.
See also
- iMore, How to use the new Music app for iPhone and iPad. The Ultimate Guide.
- Discussion Apple, Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash.
- Tips.graphica.com.au, MacOS Catalina and iTunes Media Files.