Moving 2009 Mini iTunes library to M4 Mini's Apple Music

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Moving 2009 Mini iTunes library to M4 Mini's Apple Music

After finally getting an M4 mini to replace my 2009 Mini, I immediately hit a wall trying to transfer the data. Tried using Migration assistant but without success. Went to the local Apple store and the tech replicated my results, i.e., couldn't make it work. He suggested that it might be just an issue of the long gap between the 2 machines that was preventing them form connecting via ethernet, and to do a manual transfer. I've been reading a lot of threads about iTunes to Music, and it seems far more convoluted than I would have guessed. My thought is to load the iTunes folder (29 GB, all ripped from CDs over the years) onto a USB, but then I'm a little unsure about next steps. It appears that plugging the usb into the M4 and holding down option while launching Music would be the next step, but then? Open the folder on the drive and and select the iTunes Library.itl file? That will trigger the download of the music files as well? If I seem overly hesitant to just have at it and see what happens, I am. Transferring from the old mac via usb is verrry slow, and I want to be sure that I'm copying everything that I need the first time. I've already done the Organize Library/Consolidate files step. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Mac mini

Posted on Jul 19, 2025 01:58 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

423,917 points

Jul 22, 2025 09:41 PM in response to CroatyRowbot

Until last week I was using iTunes 7.5. Then I bought a M4 Mini with Sequoia. There was no way I could get Music to recognize my iTunes library. Of course after migrating I was expecting it to automatically appear. No. Then I held down the option key while starting Music. All the various iTunes library files were greyed out. Music didn't recognize them.

I am now rebuilding my library and all my playlists by hand.

Oh, if you have been using iTunes and are now transitioning to Sequoia Music, be prepared for a lot of unfortunate "improvements" to the interface. Since I had never seen any need for any iTunes version higher than 7 there's many things missing and/or badly designed in the new interface. I've also been spending a lot of time writing Applescripts to substitute for some missing features, but there's nothing I can do about large blank spaces that then squish your playlists into a dozen lines at the bottom of the screen.

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