How to import itunes playlist from High Sierra time machine backup to new macbook running Monterey Music?

Hi,

As mentioned in the subject heading, I want import my previous itunes playlists from a High Sierra time machine backup to a new macbook running Monterey.


I'm a dj and have well over a thousand playlists but my previous laptop broke and now I'm trying to get the playlists to show in itunes again on the new laptop.


I do not want to copy or bring all the files into the itunes folder, just simply have all the playlists show up in itunes and then I can go back and connect the file locations after as they are already on the computer.


I see my Macbook doesn't even come with itunes but I assume Music is the same and just the new default moving forward? Can my old playlists be imported to Music or do I need to download itunes? How can I get them to show up either way please?


Attached are the files available from my high sierra backup but it doesn't seem to work in Music on Monterey.


Please help and thanks :)



MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.3

Posted on Nov 26, 2022 05:16 AM

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8 replies

Nov 30, 2022 06:43 AM in response to simon_l_b

I was actually able to import my playlists to another mac after opening the .xml file and renaming the Home folder to the current laptop one. But this wasn't necessary anyway.


If anyone has the same issue of getting the unknown error (-50) on their new M1 macbook, you simply hold the option key whilst opening the Music app then it asks to open a file and you select your itunes library .itl one (not .xml).


The .xml file doesn't work for Music on M1 Monterey. At least for me it didn't.


All sorted now though :)

Nov 27, 2022 04:58 PM in response to simon_l_b

Hey simon_l_b,


We'd recommend reviewing the information in this article as it provides steps to take to import music to the Music app on your Mac: Import music from a computer to Music on Mac - Apple Support


"


In the Music app  on your Mac, choose File > Add To Library or File > Import.

If you selected “Copy files to Music Media folder when adding to library” in Files settings, you see File > Import.

Locate a file or folder, then click Open.

If you add a folder, all the files it contains are added to your library."


Thanks!

Nov 27, 2022 09:17 PM in response to Rob_H1

I don't think anyone has read my original post?


My previous macbook running high sierra broke, I got a full refund and bought a new M1 laptop. I only now have a time machine backup from this laptop. So I cant export the playlists however I have access to the files on the time machine that I believe record these playlists anyway. When I go to import any of these files I get this error.


I have over 2TB of music and hundreds of playlists and it's very important to me. I do not buy any music from itunes due to low quality, I simply use it to curate the playlists.


Nov 30, 2022 08:54 AM in response to simon_l_b

Hi Simon,


I've only just run across this thread. Were you able to open a .itl file with Music on Monterey 12.6 or have you upgraded to Ventura? For many people it seems Music in Monterey would stall doing the .itl library conversion. I've been doing it remotely with just the .itl file in Catalina, where people send be their file and I post back the .musiclibrary version. Ideal if you don't want to lose date added which gets reset when you use the XML file.


tt2

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How to import itunes playlist from High Sierra time machine backup to new macbook running Monterey Music?

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