I had over 200 CDs from the 80's & 90's ripped and in iTunes. They are now gone. OS updates replaced iTunes with Apple Music. I tried the 3 free month Apple Music and now after the files are no where to be found on my Mac. Still show and play from iPhone though.
iMac 27″, macOS 26.1
Apple Music didn't delete your iTunes music, it just didn't import it into its own new Music library.
It's been quite a number of years since I made that transition from iTunes, but all my music is still with me.
What version of macOS were you running that was still using iTunes? iTunes was broken into several apps back in the Catalina release, becoming Music, Books, TV, and Podcasts.
Maybe some good information for you here: Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community
Thanks. I'm on 26.1 now, but I can't remember when I was last using iTunes as I usually use my iPhone for music. I was just sitting at the Mac and wanted to listen to an old album for a change. I do the usually Mac updates to this 2020 iMac within a month of release. I've searched the machine, including hidden files, and the music files are just gone. I do have an old backup from years ago, so all might not be lost. It's literally 200 CDs I ripped when the first iPod came out. My music since then has been iTunes purchased and they are all accessible. I'll study the link you provided.
Update on the iPhone: It appears to only have some of my old songs not the complete album? Maybe songs I played while subscribed to Apple Music?
Apple Music Deleted Manual Ripped Music Files
