How to restore iTunes Library from a recent time machine backup

I have to make room on my internal HD on my iMac. The HD is a 1TB and I have 391GB of music and video etc that are in my iTunes Library. So I decided to move it to a new 5TB external HD which I formatted with 2 partitions. One partition 2.5TB will be my new Time Machine Backups and the other 2.5TB for iTunes Library so I never have to worry about this again. Using the knowledge I gained (?) from a YouTube video I copied my iTunes folder over to the new partition on the new HD. However, there was no library .itl file. So I found an old one but found I am missing playlists and content from iTunes. So I was thinking maybe the easiest way was to do an iTunes restore from Time Machine.
I am hoping that someone can guide me through this as I have already botched things up and want to do it properly this time.
Thanks

One partition 2.5TB will be my new Time Machine Backups and the other 2.5TB for iTunes Library so I never have to worry about this again.
Your worry now is what will you do when the single hard drive containing both your library and its backup makes a screeching sound one day and is toast, or get stolen?
from a YouTube video
Uh-oh, those unspecific and sometimes incorrect YouTube videos. I dislike those things. I watched one once and some kid droned on in a barely audible monotone for about 5 minutes to show how to do something to which I could have typed instructions in two sentences.
Downloading (using iOS or computer) past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519

Similar Messages

How to restore itunes library from a faulty time machine backup?

Hello,
I just bought a new macbook pro 15inch. I have a time machine backup but I wanted to start fresh so I didn't use the migration assistant to transfer my info. The only thing I want is my iTunes library with the playlists, ratings, artwork etc. But here's the problem... The computer knows that my external hard drive (it's a 1 TB toshiba) has a time machine back up, but it won't access it the usual way. I choose "browse other time machine disks", enter the time machine, then choose the external drive from there, and then I access my stuff. I copied the whole iTunes folder, changed the iTunes media folder location in preferences. Now all my playlists are gone, 400 songs are missing artist info and the library duplicated itself so now I have 12000 songs.
Is there a way for me to have my exact same iTunes library from my other computer?
Any help is appreciated. Thank you

bilunpe wrote:
I copied the whole iTunes folder, changed the iTunes media folder location in preferences.
All you need to do is copy the entire iTunes folder to /Music/.
Then open iTunes.
This is all you need to do. Don't change any iTunes prefs.

Restore iphoto library from crashed mini Time Machine backup on new mb pro

Hello,
My old mac mini is gone and I have a new macbook pro. Now I want to restore my iphoto library (260GB) from the most recent Time Machine backup but how can I do that without restoring the whole machine back? The problem is I don't have the needed space for the whole machine restore on my mb Pro. The new Pro is 500GB and the mini backup is 900gb. Even my user restore from the migration assistent can't complete because the space isn't there.

I Found it, i need to browse in finder to the time machine file in de folder where the backup is located. After I mount the file I can open timemachine with ctrl+click and open another timemachine backup. Select the mac mini backup and browse and restore. Wow I love, you only need to know how to do it thanks for the replys

How to restore iTunes library from TimeMachine external hard drive backup after clean install

I was not able to solve this problem, hence I decided to open this discussion.
1. Recently, I clean installed Yosemite so my new Mac is completely empty.
2. I have my time machine backup on my eternal hard drive and would like to restore only specific things - such as iTunes library.
3. I did not manually copy iTunes library to my drive, I did the TM backup only, but I also do have all the files in my own "music" folder I manually backed-up.
However, I cannot locate the library there, where is it?
How do I move the library to my new Mac and then establish a new source folder that would be on my drive?
PS: Previously, iTunes used my own music folder as a source = it contained all the music files. I had it on an external drive, later moved it to my Mac.
This leads me to the conclusion that my backup copy of iTunes library did not contain the files anyway.
Any advice?
Thank you in advance.

I am confused as to what you had or have where and when. The bottom line is, your library (for the standard user) is everything in the iTunes folder. As far as iTunes' organization and display is concerned, your library is a file called "iTunes Library.itl" which points to all the other host of files and folders normally in the iTunes folder which all work together.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.
If you kept everything together in one place then you need to put the whole iTunes folder on the drive where you want it, start iTunes while holding down the option key and guide it to that .itl file. If things were split up and you had media on the external and the rest of the library on the internal you need to get them back to exactly where they were before. If you can't find that iTunes folder holding the critical .itl file anywhere then you have a bunch of media tracks and no organization and will need to rebuild the organization from ground level.

How to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

Please, can someone give me the instructions on how to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

See Pondini's TM FAQs, for details.

I'm trying a full restore in Lion, but it won't. States that there isn't enough space on the Mac HD. How do I restore everything from a recent Time Machine Backup?

I'm trying a full restore in Lion, but it won't. States that there isn't enough space on the Mac HD. How do I restore everything from a recent Time Machine Backup?

Thanks but I think it has something to do with the 'restore'. in the newest iTunes 11, when I click on the tab "iphone", it redirects me to the "welcome to your new iphone" page and asks about doing a 'restore'. I already did a 'restore', but it went to the original factory settings and I want to 'restore' to my lastest back up as of April 12. When I choose that option, it says my iphone doesn't have enough space. I don't know how much I need to delete in order to make it work. I've deleted lots, but it only has 4.1 GB available. I'm not sure why this isn't enough to do a 'restore'. I don't want to delete all my photos and videos, but maybe I will have to?...7.7GB is used up for that. I can't sync or do ANYTHING...

How do I restore a system from an older time machine backup?

How can I restore my full system from a time machine backup using a "snapshot in time" older than the most recent time machine backup?
For context: I am doing work on my machine that required making a full backup (in time machine), working on the computer, then doing a full restore. Unfortunately, when I briefly connected the my external disk during step 2, time machine started and added a "newer" backup than the one I need to restore. Any advice?
Thanks!

Recover your entire system
Time Machine – Revert to Previous OS

New HDD - how to restore iTunes library from Time Machine

Installed a new HDD in my MacBook Pro, would now like to restore my iTunes library on the computer.
Searched & saw a post about "needing to use the Time Machine interface to restore the entire library".
What is this interface they are referring to and how do I find it?
I open Time Machine in preferences and see there is an "options" button, and you can add items to the restore window ... I'm hoping there is a document somewhere that details if this is the correct place to restore an iTunes library, if so, what files/directories need to be added for restore, etc...
What's the process to restore an iTunes library from a Time Capsule backup?

Please do not double-post.
Answered in your other thread on this subject: https://discussions.apple.com/message/17532046#17532046

Anyone know how to Restore iTunes Library from External HD

My PC won't even turn on anymore. But luckily, I have most of the iTunes Library backed up in an External HD.
Now, I've searched and can't find instructions from Apple on how to Restore the Library while keeping all the Playlists, Ratings, and all that other good stuff. Anyone know to do that, or at least WHERE that info is?
Thanks.
Message was edited by: MasterSpade

I have most of the iTunes Library backed up in an External HD
What exactly do you have backed up on the external?

Permissions error when restoring itunes library from old hdd's TM backup to new SSD OS X Music folder...

Hello,
I got my self a new SSD and installed Lion in it from the internet. I tried copy pasting the itunes library from the most current backup in the TM drive that was used to backup the old hdd. I keep on getting "not enough permission" error for every single file. This same happens when I restore using Time Machine by navigating to the foler using the option "Browse Other Backup Disks"
Note: There is no encryption problem here AFAIK cause i never used encryption on any of my drives.
Please help me restore iTunes library and iPhoto library form the backup. Thanks.
Neerav

AceNeerav wrote:
I tried copy pasting the itunes library from the most current backup in the TM drive that was used to backup the old hdd.
Don't copy & paste.
Just use TM to restore it.

How to reinstall on client from Lion Server Time Machine backup?

I have a Mac Mini running Lion Server and a black MacBook running Lion. I recently needed to to perform a format and reinstall of the MacBook, so I used the MacBook's Recovery HD partition and reinstalled Lion. I then went back to Recovery HD to reinstall apps from my Time Machine backup' which is managed by the Lion Server Mac Mini. On first attempt, I saw the right files, but in the process it hung. I recently tried to do it again, and now it claims that there are no backups found.
My suspicion is that as this is a Lion Server managed backup, it bundles the server backup and the MacBook backup in the same bundle. Revovery HD looks for the latest compete bundle, then finds the matching backup for the MacBook. However, if the Mini is continuing backups of its own, the more recent bundle backups only have mini info, not the MackBook, hence they "disappeared".
I can see older backups when I look at the backup drive, so I suspect that my MacBook files are still there.
Any suggestions on how to recover and get my MacBook files reinstalled? I'm new to this home server thing, so any help would be greatly appreciated!
Jason

One partition 2.5TB will be my new Time Machine Backups and the other 2.5TB for iTunes Library so I never have to worry about this again.
Your worry now is what will you do when the single hard drive containing both your library and its backup makes a screeching sound one day and is toast, or get stolen?
from a YouTube video
Uh-oh, those unspecific and sometimes incorrect YouTube videos. I dislike those things. I watched one once and some kid droned on in a barely audible monotone for about 5 minutes to show how to do something to which I could have typed instructions in two sentences.
Downloading (using iOS or computer) past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519

How do I reinstall Garageband from an old Time Machine Backup?

I recently had a lot of trouble with my computer crashing, so I did a time machine back up, and then wiped the computer. I figured out that it was a piece of software causing the crashing, so instead of restoring my computer, I just started from scratch. I have been slowly bringing my important files back and reinstalling some of the software. I didn't want to put everything back on here because it was slowing it down. I needed to use Garageband the other day, but obviously it was no longer on my computer. The Garageband I had originally came on the computer when I bought it, so I don't have an install disc, and it was prior to when Garageband was put on the App Store, so I can't redownload it. Is there a way to drag it from my old time machine (which no longer recongnizes this computer since I didn't want everything back on here)? I tried just dragging the app itself but it said is was missing loops and quit itself. I had the same problem with iPhoto but dragging it worked just fine.

The Garageband I had originally came on the computer when I bought it, so I don't have an install disc, and it was prior to when Garageband was put on the App Store, so I can't redownload it.
If GarageBAnd came preinstalled, before it was sold at the AppStore, it should be on the system install disks that came with your Mac. Check, if you did not receive two CDs, one with the installer for the system, and one with applications. Use this application install disk to restore GarageBand.
I tried just dragging the app itself but it said is was missing loops and quit itself. I had the same problem with iPhoto but dragging it worked just fine.
You can restore the GarageBand application this way, but you will also need to restore the libraries.
hat is easier done by running the installer.
Copy everything in the folders
/Library/Application Support/GarageBand/
and all missing items from
/Library/Audio
to the corresponding folders on your new harddrive.
Then reboot and try, if you can launch GB again.
-- Léonie

Restore Lion OS from Lion Server Time Machine Backup?

I am running a Intel Imac 2008 clean install SL then Lion upgrade, followed by Lion Server install. I have multiple home macs, and intnded the server as a way to monitor and restrict kids internet use. In short, it has changes/screwed up multiple programs, and complicated home sharing issues considerably. Mail on the server machine has permission problems (cannot send mail, unable to sign), Spotlight in mail is non-functioning, finder spotlight searches are inconsistent, etc. I want to revert to plain old Lion.
I have done disk utility/verify disk and verified/repaired permissions, and have 'fiddled' (i'm not an expert) in the keychain/certificates areas, but I think the best solution is a clean install of Lion. QUESTION: When I backup to TIme Machine, is there a way to pull a 'Lion' version of my disk image back, and just not upgrade to Server? I understand I can disable Server and turn off applications in Server, but it doesn't fix my buggy machine. My options are to back up my 250GB of music, 100GB of photos, 100GB of movies, etc on to external drives, and clean install and then reimport everything, but even that will probably mean I cant reinstall my single user licesnse of MS office, VMware fusion, etc that I didn't buy on the App store. I'd really love to be able to do this with Time machine. Any chance? or do I need to do the dark deed of 2 days of backup?

Sorry, I don't mean to be stupid, but I want to be sure. My impresion of Time machine disk images (I'm not a computer genius, but I'm , lets say, an expert novice) is that disk images (my term for the 'total view' of a computers main disk), differ depending on the OS. I assume that applications and preferences referenced under SL could not be seamlessly imported into a Lion environment. I'm assumng that the upgrade to Lion server has irrevocaby altered my startup/main volume into a "Lion Server" volume, and that if I try to pull my applications/data/preferences/mailboxes back onto a fresh Lion interface, it won't work. Are you saying I'm wrong, and that I can simply erase my disc, clean install Lion via an internet connection, and re-import my "lion Server- altered' stuff back from aLion-server Time Machine disk image, seamlessly, into a Lion OS environment? Sorry to be so concrete, but my wife will kill me if I %$@ the bed on this. I appreciatre your help.

How to restore ITunes Library from Backup hard drive?

My computer crashed. I restored it -- but ITunes was wiped clean. I have all my music files and ITunes Library backed up on an external hard drive. How do I get the library from the external drive back to the computer with playlists, artwork and all intact? I guess it is more complex than just dragging the file labled library into ITunes becuase the computer won't let me do that. When I go to the original songs they are all individually in folders accorging to the artist and album -- that will take days to copy each album 1 by 1 -- I have 3,700 songs.

What you first need to do is Place the music it the Location they was in before you restored. If you had songs on the C drive in My Music folder, place them there. If iTunes was reading the music from the external, not much you have to do sincve there already there.
Now with the Library file you have to make iTUnes take the file and recreate it, this is explained here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313

How to restore Itunes library from stolen Ipod Touch to a new Ipod touch?

My Ipod Touch 3th gen was stolen. I bought a new Ipod Touch 4th gen. How do I restore everything that is in Itunes library to it?
Should I just give the new device the same name of the other one and sync?
Will that transfer the apps I bought on the old one too?
I also have mobile me account and it was updated 1 day before the robbery. Do I need to do anything about mobile Me?
Thanks!

You can restore from the backup of the old one.
OR just sync whatever you like to the new one.
You can sync as many ipods as you like to the same computer.

How to restore iTunes Library from a recent time machine backup

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for