Will there be duplicate songs if I transfer my local music library to a new Mac?

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Will there be duplicate songs if I transfer my local music library to a new Mac?

I have a well curated, high bit rate music library on my old MacBook Pro. The collection is 300 gb and I use iTunes match and Apple music for access to my music on the iPhone and Macs I own with small hard disks. The music in my iCloud library is either matched (but at a lower bit rate) or uploaded at the high quality bit rate. I should also add that the old MacBook Pro is still running iTunes and my other Mac are all running Big Sur / Music.app.

I want to move the original local music from my old MacBook Pro to a new Mac that I just purchased. I worry that using migration assistant to transfer my music will result in song duplicates. Apple suggested that I download the music through Music.app, but this would result in downloading the matched files and not my 'original' CD rips.

Suggestions?

MacBook Air

Posted on Feb 15, 2021 3:50 AM

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Answer 1

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JJPO_D Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 15, 2021 4:47 PM in response to JJPO_D

The suggested way of using Migration Assistant did not work; it produced duplicate songs.

Solution:

On old MacBook Pro iTunes, Music > Preferences > Uncheck Sync Library
Filter Music Library on the new Mac by iCloud status and delete everything that is not Apple Music (ie: Matched or Uploaded) files. This will keep all of your Apple Music additions but remove anything that is using iTunes Match in iCloud
Attached old MacBook Pro Time Machine Backup to new Mac
In Music.app on the new Mac, File > Import
Navigate to the iTunes Media located in the directory that corresponds to the most recent backup.
Click import
Wait for Music.app to copy all of the music to the new Mac
Wait for Music.app to upload or match the music to iCloud

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Answer 2

d.denby

Level 1

8 points

Feb 15, 2021 4:04 AM in response to JJPO_D

Good question. I will be trying to transfer to the new my air M1, all my cds rips from my 2009 MB pro.

I need to buy an enclosure and put the old HD in to transfer as it won't boot anymore. Lasted 9 years!

Going to get a hub/dongle and external SDD too. Also need a roller ball mouse.

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