User profile for user: david braun
david braun Author
User level: Level 4
2,562 points

library.itl conversion to music.app library doesn't work, help needed.

Hello.

I finally updated my mac mini to the newest OS (used as music-server for locally stored ALAC and WAV files).

I then option-opened music.app to select the old library.itl and have it converted to the new format.

After a first run, it had the library converted, but all files (>10000) were marked as being in the cloud (thus, no ALAC, but 256bit mp4).


So I tried it again: quit music, deleted the new music-library, option-open music, select the old library.itl and then nothing happens, I get the "loading" rotating icon forever (~3 hours that is, I then aborted and did this several times, but nothing works).


I really really really don't want to start all over again, as there are many years of play-history etc. to which my listening habits and many finely tuned playlists are tied to.


How can I convert an old library.itl that already has been touched by music.app?

How can I get the local files be recognized by the app?

Mac mini

Posted on Dec 31, 2022 06:02 AM

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User profile for user: turingtest2
turingtest2
User level: Level 10
277,729 points

Posted on Dec 31, 2022 06:17 AM

Hi David,


I've seen a bunch of reports where Monterey fails to convert an iTunes Library.itl database correctly. There seems to be two possible workarounds, copy the .itl file to Big Sur or Catalina and convert it there (the media folder is not required) then move the database to Monterey and place it above the media folder, or if you have an iTunes Library.xml file you can import that into an empty Music library with File > Library > Import Playlist... as long as the media files are at the paths listed in the XML file, however this method resets Date Added. I've successfully converted a number of libraries for other people. You would email me your .itl file, or a link to it on a cloud service, then I convert the .itl to .musiclibrary format in Catalina and post back a OneDrive link for you to download. My email address is in my profile here if you'd like my help with this.


tt2

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User profile for user: turingtest2
turingtest2
User level: Level 10
277,729 points

Dec 31, 2022 06:17 AM in response to david braun

Hi David,


I've seen a bunch of reports where Monterey fails to convert an iTunes Library.itl database correctly. There seems to be two possible workarounds, copy the .itl file to Big Sur or Catalina and convert it there (the media folder is not required) then move the database to Monterey and place it above the media folder, or if you have an iTunes Library.xml file you can import that into an empty Music library with File > Library > Import Playlist... as long as the media files are at the paths listed in the XML file, however this method resets Date Added. I've successfully converted a number of libraries for other people. You would email me your .itl file, or a link to it on a cloud service, then I convert the .itl to .musiclibrary format in Catalina and post back a OneDrive link for you to download. My email address is in my profile here if you'd like my help with this.


tt2

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library.itl conversion to music.app library doesn't work, help needed.

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