User profile for user: rjmx
rjmx Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

MacOS Ventura: Delete entire music library

Using MacOS Ventura 13.7.8.

I've somehow managed to screw up my entire Music folder, and I want to delete all my music and start again (I have it completely backed up in several other places).

I have only a "Music" folder (which is empty) under my ~/Music folder, but when I start up the Music app, all my music is still there (but it won't play 'cause it can't find the files). Same thing happens when I try to create a new Music library as suggested in Use multiple libraries in Music on Mac – Apple Support (UK): it immediately fills up with my music. I have no idea where it comes from.

Ho can I start again with a clean sheet?


MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Oct 7, 2025 4:42 PM

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User profile for user: turingtest2
turingtest2
User level: Level 10
277,937 points

Posted on Oct 8, 2025 1:29 AM

If you are signed into your Apple Account then an otherwise empty library will populate with your unhidden purchase history ready for you to stream or download as you choose. Use View > Only Downloaded Music to temporarily hide those items or Hide and unhide music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and books - Apple Support to selectively hide purchases you no longer want shown.


If you have a subscription to either Apple Music or iTunes Match and Sync Library is enabled you will also see your complete Cloud Music Library unless you select View > Only Downloaded Music. Creating a new library doesn't wipe your Cloud Music Library, should you (or someone else reading this thread) need to reset that then you need to actively delete unwanted content from the library. Ideally you would backup your local files first in case you delete more than you mean to and find out too late that Music has summarily deleted the local copies.


See also Managing your Mac media libraries - Apple Community.


tt2

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User profile for user: turingtest2
turingtest2
User level: Level 10
277,937 points

Oct 8, 2025 1:29 AM in response to rjmx

If you are signed into your Apple Account then an otherwise empty library will populate with your unhidden purchase history ready for you to stream or download as you choose. Use View > Only Downloaded Music to temporarily hide those items or Hide and unhide music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and books - Apple Support to selectively hide purchases you no longer want shown.


If you have a subscription to either Apple Music or iTunes Match and Sync Library is enabled you will also see your complete Cloud Music Library unless you select View > Only Downloaded Music. Creating a new library doesn't wipe your Cloud Music Library, should you (or someone else reading this thread) need to reset that then you need to actively delete unwanted content from the library. Ideally you would backup your local files first in case you delete more than you mean to and find out too late that Music has summarily deleted the local copies.


See also Managing your Mac media libraries - Apple Community.


tt2

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MacOS Ventura: Delete entire music library

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