How can I transfer my iTunes library to Apple Music?

Question

Level 1

9 points

How can I transfer my iTunes library to Apple Music?

My 2008 Mac Pro recently died. I was hanging on to it as I could still run many 32 bit apps, it recognized my old iPod Touch that I used to play my favorite playlists and all the other music I wanted to listen to was stored in iTunes. All the hard drives are fine, I think the power supply crapped out.

Anyway, I am considering trying to transfer all my music to my M1 Mini and using my iPhone SE to playback my music. I see that Apple Music has some of the features of old iTunes, but it is also missing a lot, like Family Sharing and the ability to import all my old iTunes data (playlists and music files) just by copying my previous files into an iTunes folder.

I'm sure I can't be the only person who has no desire to pay for Apple Music, but yet still needs the functions of plain ol' iTunes. Has anyone done this easily and successfully? If so, how do I do that?

Thanks!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini

Posted on Jan 5, 2025 08:54 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jimzgoldfinch

Level 7

28,615 points

Jan 6, 2025 12:18 AM in response to Chaz1138

Hi,

See Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community

The music app functions the same as iTunes except for audiobooks and podcasts which use other apps. The music app is not Apple Music subscription service. You don’t need to subscribe to Apple Music.

Jim

Reply

Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

277,741 points

Jan 6, 2025 04:12 AM in response to Chaz1138

Family Sharing is an account feature that works in both iTunes and Music allowing for shared purchases, etc. Music can import iTunes libraries, but it isn't quite as simple as placing the old content in the right folders. You'll need to hold down option as you launch Music, use the choose library option to select the old .itl library, and then choose a location and folder name for the converted library. Music won't convert an iTunes Library made by High Sierra or older, and the Monterey version of Music fails to convert correctly. I can help workaround either of those issues by converting the library on my Catalina Mac that also has Mojave iTunes installed on it. Email in my profile if you need help with that. You would send just the .itl file and I'd post back a .musiclibrary package to use with Music.

tt2

Reply

Answer 3

Chaz1138 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 7, 2025 05:42 AM in response to turingtest2

Hi! I responded to your answer last night and, for some bizarre reason, Apple decided to change the title of my question and delete my response to you. I did, however, follow you here in case I needed to take advantage of your offer of assistance. Thank for that. Right now, I am wrapping up a big video edit, but I'll look into the specifics of your solution to my problem.

Reply

Answer 4

Chaz1138 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 11, 2025 12:12 PM in response to turingtest2

Okay, if I understand you correctly, I can import the music files, but the main library file won't get converted correctly, so I would need to have someone (in this case you) convert just that one file. Then, while I place the new library index file, Music should start right up and recognize all my files and playlists.

Reply

Answer 5

Chaz1138 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 6, 2025 07:41 PM in response to Jimzgoldfinch

Thank you. Right now, I'm in the middle of wrapping up a video edit, so I will read the as soon as I can.

Reply

Answer 6

turingtest2

Level 10

277,741 points

Jan 11, 2025 02:01 PM in response to Chaz1138

Yes, that's it. You send me a .itl file, I send back a .musiclibrary package and explain where to place it and how to open it. I've done well over 100 by now.

tt2

Reply

How can I transfer my iTunes library to Apple Music?

Similar questions