ITunes library cannot be read

Hmm so excited - so disappointed. Can't even get past loading the software.
Get the following error message:
"the file itunes library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes."
what the heck do I do with this?

I had this same problem. You need to find your iTunes library.itl file (just use the search function on your computer) and delete that. Your itunes should create a new file, one that actually works .

Similar Messages

"iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes

Hi,
I am using Leopard (OS 10.5.8) with itunes version 10.6.3 (the highest version that Leopard will run). I accessed my Leopard itunes library from another mac in my house that was running Mountain Lion and itunes 10.7. I did this so that I could use some itunes scripts that would only run in OS 10.6 or higher. Using the Mountain Lion mac and the scripts I deleted many titles in my Leopard itunes library, and deleted many duplicate files in from my itunes library.
Now, when I try to open itunes on my Leopard machine, I get this message:
The file “iTunes Library” cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. Of course, I cannot run a more current version of itunes, since I am using Leopard. I realize that I could revert to a backup of my itunes library, but that would undo all of the changes I made to my itunes library. Is there a way to edit something that would allow me to open itunes with my current library? I am not planning to upgrade the Leopard machine at this point.
Thanks for any advice.
-Joe

I don't know if trying to import the .xml version of the library gets around version specificity but I doubt it.
Opening iTunes with a newer version irreversibly converts the library file to that version. You can, as you say, use the copy put in the "Previous iTunes libraries" folder when you first opened with the newer version.

When i try to open itunes on my mac a message comes up saying The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. Would you like to download iTunes now?"

When i try to open itunes, a message pops up saying "The file “iTunes Library” cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. Would you like to download iTunes now?." I have tried downloading the newest version of itunes but it still won't open. What should i do?

Update your copy of itunes to the current version.

After years of using iTunes on my G4 suddenly it won't open. Error message says "The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes". What do I do?s

After years of using iTunes on my G4 suddenly it won't open. Error message says "The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes". What do I do? I have been attempting to move my Library to a newer MacBook Pro.

The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes".
Try the following user tip:
Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash

I recently transfered everything from my emac to another one but now when I try to open iTunes I get the window that states: The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes.

I recently transfered everything from my emac to another one but now when I try to open iTunes I get the window that states: The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. The computer I transfered to had a bunch of files on it and I got full ownership of what was already there, so, how do I get to my iTunes library, I do have access as an administrator to the iTunes library (that works just fine) already there and I guess I must have had a newer version ofiTunes on my defunt eMac....

Tell us some version numbers please, of your Mac OS versions and iTunes versions on both computers (two eMacs yes?).
dlrobinson49 wrote:
I guess I must have had a newer version ofiTunes on my defunt eMac....
That is a pretty good guess.Try updating the second eMac's iTunes to at least the version that was on the first.

Itunes error message "itunes library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes"

I have an iBook G4 with OS 10.4.11 (Tiger operating system). I keep getting an error message in Itunes: "Itunes library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes". What do I do? I also cannot access the Itunes store. This is an older laptop (2006) which still works great except for this. Please help.

I know this is an old thread, but the information in it solved my current problem (Windows Vista, upgraded to iTunes 11.2 and resulted in this same .itl error message).
So, I'm here to thank turingtest2 for his excellent instructions to fix my problem. One of tt2's many detailed instructional tips). THANK YOU TURINGTEST2!
PS I'm generally reluctant to "mess with files and such, preferring to use Windows Restore, because it just doesn't seem right to me that end users of Apple devices should have to get into the guts of files and such. Sadly, I have finally just accepted that iOS updates never work right and I either have to deal with work-around fixes or never update. Eventually we do need to update or there will be other problems. All I can say is, I'm sure glad there are folks like turingtest2 here who spend so much time helping us.

Itunes library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes. How do I fix this?

I've been trying to open Itunes after upgrading it to 10.7 I think and this is what it says "itunes library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes"

I don't know how you received an upgrade for iTunes. You make it sound like it was sent to you. At most your computer will tell you of a new version and you tell it to download it and install it. However, a computer will not do this for a version which is incompatible. iTunes 10.7 came out a few weeks ago but your computer would not notify you and even if it did, 10.7 would refuse to install on your computer. So this part isn't making a lot of sense.
Two ways to get the 'newer version' message. One is to open your library on a computer running a newer version, and then try to open it with an older version. Usually happens when the library is on an external and used with multiple computers. The second way is if you have multiple versions of itunes installed on your computer.
The newest (and likely the last) iTunes for OSX 10.5.8 is iTunes 10.6.3 which has been out for quite a while.
iTunes 10.6.3.25 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1575

I keep getting the message @itunes library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of Itunes - I had to reset my computer due to a printer failure to an earlier version...

I keep getting the message'Itunes library cannot be read because it was started by a later version' - I had to recently reset my computer to an earlier version as I had a printer problem

Then you either need to upgrade iTunes again, or fish out the older version of your library from the Previous iTunes Libraries folder (inside <Profile's Music>\iTunes) that corresponds to the older version of iTunes you are now using. You can rename the current .itl file as say iTunes Library (10.5).itl and then rename the copied file as iTunes Library.itl.
tt2.

ITunes Library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. I have a G4 Mac on OS 10.5.8. Help?

I have the message "iTunes Library cannot be read because it was created in a newer version
of iTunes. I have an old G4 Mac and cannot upgrade beyond Leopard. (OS 10.5.8)
What can I do? How and where is help?

Somewhere in your process you ended up with an earlier version of iTunes than was used last with the library. iTunes 10.6.3 is the highest version that will run under OSX 10.5.8
iTunes 10.6.3.25 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1575
If you had an earlier version and still want that version I am not sure how to go about this. My iTunes library file does not say it was created with a particular version, although I admit I have not looked at the .xml copy to see if it is buried in the file itself. Apple only has a very limited number of iTunes versions openly posted, though you can still find just about any version if you look in the right places. You would have to kind of start low and work your way up to where you want to be since once you open a library with a version it cannot be reverted to an earlier version (make backups first).

Error message The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read

I just got a new iMac and at the store they migrated what was on my Mac Book onto the iMac. Some updates came up last night and the iTunes one timed out before it could update. I hadn't used iTunes yet or connected the external hard drive where all the music files are, so iTunes is still just full of 'empty' files. The error message I get is:
The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes.
Any suggestions? Thanks
iMac Mac OS X (10.0.x)

Look in your Previous iTunes libraries folder to see if there is a backup library you can use - the file name will include the date it was saved, however it may be very out of date. To use a backup linrary, save your exitsting itunes library.itl somewhere then copy the backup library into your iTunes folder and rename it iTunes Library.itl.
If not, with iTunes closed, drag you iTunes library.itl out of the iTunes folder to your desktop. When you next start iTunes it will create an empty library. Add your iTunes Music folder with File>>Add Folder to Library.

The file itune library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes

The file itune library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash.
tt2

ITunes Library cannot be read after downgrading to an older version

I had iTunes 7.8 and everything worked perfect. I kept getting informed of an updated iTunes 8.2 so i upgraded. then whenever i would plug my iPod in it wouldnt recognize it and asked to erase all the songs off my iPod. Everytime, i clicked No. but one day, i kept my iPod plugged in for a long time and left the computer and when i came back all the songs had been erased from it. Then i plugged it in again and the new iTunes wouldnt even recognize my iPod or show it in on the left sided menu, BUT it was recognized by my laptop when i looked for it in Finder. So i called Apple and they told me to uninstall the new iTunes and download the one i had previously. I did so and now im back with 7.8. However, now when i try to open iTunes it immediately says "The File 'iTunes Library' cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes". I know i have all the music files still on my computer under the iTunes folder. But, when i click on File under iTunes to try to import my library, nothing can be clicked. None of the drop down menus have options that are accessible. Can anybody please help?

I removed 8.1.1 and downloaded 8.0.1. Same problems with the library as the top of this thread. Here's my situation now:
If I install and launch 8.1.1, instant beachball, totally unresponsive to the mouse, nada. In other words, I can't get to preferences or try any of the other fixes suggested here and elsewhere in the ton of 8.1.1 complaints on the board. Only a force quit will get me out of there. So I can't even get the program running.
If I install and launch 8.0.1, after a few seconds I get an alert that iTunes can't read the library because it was created with a newer version. Click OK and it just aborts the launch. In other words, I also can't get into the iTunes window and try things.
So I'm screwed either way. My iPods still work, but iTunes is totally disabled. I could try renaming the most recent library and moving it to the other folder, but that would lose voice memo recordings that were uploaded to iTunes just prior to the corruption and after the 8.1.1 upgrade. It also obviously prevents me from adding to the library.

Why do I get the error message: "The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTune." I am using iTunes9.1.1 which, I believe, is the highest for OS 10.4.11 ?

Why do I get the error message: "The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTune." I am using iTunes9.1.1 which, I believe, is the highest for OS 10.4.11 ?

Hello,
Did you reinstall lately?
My 10.4.11 Drive seemes to have iTunes 7.6.2 on it, have you tried Software update to see if iTunes is listed?
Another 10.4.11 drive has iTunes 6.05 on it... I hate upgrading iTunes, seems worse at every upgrade.
The 10.5.8 drive I'm booted from now has iTunes 8.02 on it.

The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read

Hi I'm running a MBP with "all software up to date" including LION OS 10.7.2. My iPhone is running 5.0.1. Every time I try to open iTunes on the MBP I get this message:
"The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes."
Any clues? Advice? i'm at a loss (but then I'm of limted use at this stuff anyway)
Thanks!

Daniel hello,
you have something not right and I suspect is is to do with the receipts files... the receipts hold all the package info for the verion being accessed and if you have more than one iTunes.pkg file in the receipts folder you can get this type of behaviour...
To remedy follow the instructions here and reinstall again... do it all from the top... make a backup copy of the iTunes Library file in the iTunes folder before starting, put it somewhere safe like on a blank CD and burn
come and let's know how you get on Daniel and any problems come and check here 1st ... TP

The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer.

Hi experts,
I wonder if someone out there can help me? I had a bit of a problem with my new iMAC and it had to go for a quick fix. Nothing was lost during the fix, no music, no photos, no programs, but when I now open iTunes I get the message
+The file "iTunes Library" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes.+
Can anyone help me fix it so that I can open iTunes please?
Thanks
Martin

Click on the item in the Finder's sidebar named Music, rename the iTunes folder inside when iTunes isn't running, launch iTunes, and drag it into the open iTunes window. This won't preserve playlists or other metadata.
(40854)

Msg says "itunes library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes". Help!!!

ITunes won't open because it says "Itunes library cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of itunes". I believe this message first appeared when i downloaded the latest version of ITunes (this occurred several months ago...I haven't had iTunes since). I just downloaded iTunes 10.0 hoping that might fix it but it did not. I don't want to have to pay for customer support so I'm really hoping someone can help me. Thank you, Kathy in Scottsdae

I hate iTunes 11 too... and I also want to revert to previous version. But Apple seems to be so incredibly customer-friendly these days that is quite deliberately not publishing clear/simple revert instructions. I think it's a disgrace that Apple removed Cover Flow without warning people who are tempted to upgrade. Absolute disgrace. And now we're stuck with this piece of ..

ITunes library cannot be read

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for