Recovering playlist on my iMac?

I turned on my iMac and opened iTunes and my whole library was wiped out. It was like starting off new. Is there a way to recover my playlist? I know that when I hook up my iPod to the the empty iTunes library that I can copy purchased music to iTunes but will have to download my CDs which I had on there. Any way to do this without a non Apple supported software? Help!!!

You can export the playlist on the Mac as a .xml file. (Select the playlist and choose File, Export Playlist...choose xml as the type). Then reimport the .xml file on the Dell. This is assuming that Windows will handle a .xml file. Not being much of a PC user, I can't be sure on that, but I don't think the file type will be an issue.
I'm also assuming that you've already synced with the Dell and that the PC is already directed to the location of the iTunes library. (As importing the playlist only gives iTunes the list of songs, doesn't actually make a copy of them.)
Message was edited by: Diane Wordsmith

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Recovering playlists in itunes

can I save the xml file folder from my old emac to a cd and import it into itunes on my new imac so I can get my playlists back? What will happen if I just copy the xml folder to a cd, then import it into itunes on the new computer? I have about 300 playlists.
Here's what happened: I got a new imac, and now I have all 10,000 of my songs on my new imac in the itunes library. However, there are no playlists. The playlists are still on my old emac. I want to copy the xml folder to a cd and then import the cd into itunes on my new imac.....is it possible?

You should be able to recover playlists and metadata (e.g., ratings and playcounts) by forcing iTunes to rebuild the information in the iTunes Library file -- which is the database of songs and playlists that iTunes itself uses -- from the iTunes Music Library.xml file. You can do this by editing the iTunes Library file and deleting all of its contents. Deleting the iTunes Library file does not work, because iTunes will simply generate a new file that is appropriate for a newly created iTunes with no previous contents. If you're using all the same defaults, so that the music files are in the same directory, and your user account name is the same on the new computer, you can use the original xml file. Otherwise, you will have to edit the iTunes Music Library.xml file in Text Edit (or any hex editor) first, to correct the pathnames to the music files with Find and Replace.
If your Music Library fits on your iPod, Apple gives instructions on How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer, which doesn't require manipulating the above files. You might alternatively be able to use the iPod.iTunes software.
There are a few posts from the iLounge forums that might help:
Making iTunes use new library location without losing metadata outlines the process described above
Restoring iTunes to a new disk while preserving metadata is from a thread about recovering an iTunes Library onto a new computer from a backup (which should also work; read the whole thread).
Transferring files to a new computer shows how to get your iTunes working with direct file transfers (like from backup)
Transferring iTunes Library from PC to Mac outlines the same process described above, but cross-platform.
Other relevant posts can be found by using the search function at the iLounge forums.
And for background information, see .
12 PowerBook G4, 1.33 GHz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

ITunes Match doesn't work at times- in the same room (on Wifi) I will add a song to my playlist on the iMac- instantly it appears on my iPad but not on my iPhone 6plus

ITunes Match is extremely unpredictable- in the same room of my house on the same WiFi- all my devices are up to date (software wise). I will add a song on my iMac 27". To a playlist I created- Instantly the song shows in the playlist on my IPad Air2. But it does NOT show in my playlist on my iPhone 6plus- I reboot everything- even do a hard-wired sync- it just won't appear- sometimes- frustrated with the time I am wasting I just email (from my iMac) the song to myself so that I can play it on my iPhone 6Plus- I create a lot of music on my iMac using Logic Pro- and there are times I want to have the process (songs in the marking) available on my iPhone so I can play them while driving, etc., extremely frustrating as this issue is very new - had no problems for months and months but now I do- I rebooted everything (phone, etc.,) created a new play list-and then it appeared on the iPhone in the new playlist- BUT if I want to add a song to the new playlist- same situation- never appears on the iPhone but does appear on my iPad IMac and MacBook Pro- ITunes Match is turned on- I am on the same WiFi FAST network at my house- Any ideas ?

Hi Rob- I'm guessing it has something to do with all the update stuff Apple keeps doing (with Yosemite, etc.,) extremely frustrating - also whenever I load up iTunes on any of my devices- I am asked to enter my passcode- which I will do- then I am asked to do it 2 or 3 more times - right after the other- crazy how annoying something like that can be- I have looked online for solutions- i.e. close out of the account, reset the passcode- all of it- nothing seems to fix that situation either- what I have discovered (playing around) is on my iPhone 6+ if I go to settings and turn OFF iTunes match- then turn it back ON- suddenly all the music that wasn't loaded shows up magically- but I had to do that each time I'd update songs in my playlist on the iMac- then go to the iPhone and turn off the match- then turn it back on- almost like it is resetting things-

I have a new iMac running iTunes 10.4 in OS 10.6.8, and a new Mac Air running iTunes 10.4 in Lion. I was able to transfer all my music etc. from the iMac onto the Air, but cannot figure out how to get the Playlists from the iMac to the Air. iTunes Help

I have a new iMac running iTunes 10.4 in OS 10.6.8, and a new Mac Air running iTunes 10.4 in Lion. I was able to transfer all my music etc. from the iMac onto the Air, but cannot figure out how to get the Playlists from the iMac to the Air. iTunes Help says File >Library >Export playlist and choose XML, or to save a copy of all your playlists, File > Library > Export Library, "the Exported info is saved in XML format." Then it says, "to import an iTunes playlist, File > Library > Import Playlist". Now I am assuming I do that import part on the Air, but when I try it doesn't recognize anything that can be imported - what am I missing??? Aside from a clue...

Thanks, Jim, for taking the time, but the reply is unfortunately vague in the exact area of my confusion! "you need to copy that file to your new computer..." Well, the Import/Export instructions make it seem as if the two computers should be able to communicate this file thru wifi, but that's the linkage I can't seem tocreate with Import/Export. Should I instead email a copy to myself (thats what applecare suggested)? Copy it to and from a thumb drive? But then place the file where? And the article was helpful, but should I be trying to move the Library file or the Library.xml file (as iTunes Help suggests)? Sorry to be so clueless about it...I suppose I buy Apple in the hopes of not having to think about this stuff, which approach seems not to be serving me well. Thanks again for your time!

Export playlists from my iMac and import them to my MacBook Pro

Both computers have the same library, however I can not export my playlists from my iMac to my MacBook Pro. The name of the playlist imports into my library but the music doesn't. Any suggestions..

Export the playlist as an .xml file not .txt and it should work.
Cheers-

I Can not add a new playlist to iphone5 or sync playlist's between imac and iphone5

I have OS X Mavericks on my imac and 70.03 on my iphone5
I bought some new songs from itunes and made a playlist on my imac itunes
I plugged my phone to my imac and tried to add the new playlist to my phone but it wouldnt be added
Furthermore,I clicked iphone on my itunes on my imac and tred to remove (unclick) all playlists but after I pushed synce and it looked like it was going to work,all the playlisys stayed on the iphone
Now I cant add or remove playists from my iphone
When I unclick all the playlists,it says I have 7 Gs on my phone,after the syncing i says I have 2 Gs which means its reading the iphone and the small amount of space left because of the playlists(which I can not remove)
I just updated my iphone5 and my imac
Im in Canada and I think the system is the same around the world
Any sugegstions folks ?

also,I have itunes 11.1.2

Help need to Recover data from 2009 iMac failing drive won't boot?

How can I boot my 2009 iMac which came with Snow, from my macbook pro yosemite to recover my data on iMacs failed drive?

Yes in target mode can I do wirelessly? or does it need wired firewire cable between the computers?I want to try to repair from disc utility and recover my data using my data rescue app first.Will there be any problems using
macbook pro which is using
yosemite?

Once I've created a playlist on my imac and try to send it to my iPhone a message says that the tunes cant be sent because Imatch is enabled on my phone. I definitely turned match off and it still says the same. Can? anyone help me

Once I've created a playlist on my imac and try to send it to my iPhone a message says that the tunes cant be sent because Imatch is enabled on my phone. I definitely turned Imatch off and it still says the same. Can anyone help me?

You must also disable iTunes Match on the iPhone.

How do I transfer playlists from one imac to another

How do I transfer playlists from my old iMac to my new iMac?

Hi Andyshek,
While there's not really a way to transfer just playlists, the aricle below does cover how to migrate your eniter library, incuding playlists, to a new computer.
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
-Griff W.

Recovering playlists after new hard drive installed in computer

The computer repair store explained that all of my itune music was exported to my external hard drive before they installed an upgraded hard drive into my old computer. I was able to retrieve my songs from my external drive and put them into my "new" library after I downloaded itunes software onto my new hard drive. I seem to have LOST all of my playlists during the transfer to/from the external hard drive. How do I retrieve these playlists? Thanks for your help.

Did they also copy the iTunes Library.itl file as well as the iTunes music folder? This is the database of the songs in your library and the playlists and other info.
If they deleted the file, iTunes creates a new, empty copy when you re-install it, but any playlists are lost.
If you still have them on your iPod, then a 3rd party app may help.
If you want to recover just the structure of playlists from the iPod (and not the actual song files themselves), there's iRepo for Windows. which I understand has this feature along with all the standard features for these programs.
iPodRip also has the feature enabling you to reconstruct playlists.

How to Recover Playlists when Transferring iTunes Library from External Drive to New Computer

iTunes library copied to external drive and then loaded to new computer. All songs are there but all of the playlists that I had set up do not appear. I cannot figure out how to retrieve/recover them. The back-up was not done by me so I'm not sure of the steps that were followed. Is there something special that needs to be done when backing up to external drive in terms of saving playlists? Help!

Hello TNCGRCT,
It sounds like the library was successfully transferred to the new computer, but the songs were imported into a new iTunes library. If you still have access to the external drive, or better yet the previous computer, we will want to transfer the iTunesLibrary.itl file and open it with iTunes:
iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1589
More helpful information...
Where are my iTunes files located?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1391
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Thanks,
Matt M.

How to transfer iTunes with playlists to new imac

I have a 250 GB drive on my old iMac, and have been storing my iTunes files on an external hard drive. I now have a new iMac and would still like to keep my music and a few current video files on an external hard drive. iTunes on the external drive is 260 GB, I also have another 100GB for various videos, mostly home movies converted to MP4 and stored separately so as not to clog up iTunes any more.
I understand that if I simply point iTunes to an external drive with this iTunes folder, on my new iMac I will no lnger have the playlists I have organized over the past 5 years. Most of the music is stored by sub-genre and year, or by very personalized criteria.

Thank you for speedy reply. I looked at the external drive iTunes folder and there is something called iTunes library and iTunes music library, but they do not seem to be used (thought the music library is a 35mb file)
On the old iMac, there are files with the same name, though these files show they ere last modified today. It seems to hole most of the other media, like my mobile apps, iBooks content, podcasts and other material put on my iPad.
All my music and videos seem to be on the remote, but it is the music I am most concerned about, given the work I have put into organizing it in iTunes.
If I set up the new iMac iTunes incorrectly, would I be able to start over later. I still have it in the box.
Thanks.

Can I recover playlists in the icloud?

OS X Mavericks (version 10.9.5)
13 in. Macbook Air (purchased 8/2013)
iTunes 12 (just installed yesterday)
I have not upgrade to Yosemite yet but the other day I did install the security patach and the new iTunes 12. Since then, I am missing over 1/2 my playlists and the existing playlists have missing songs. I am NOT missing any songs in my library but the playlists are really messed up.
I don't keep my iTunes library on my macbook air but rather on an external drive. The same external drive is the one I use to backup via Time Machine.
I don't mind iTunes 12, per se, so I'm not interested in reverting back to v.11 as support keeps suggesting. I just want my playlists back the way they were before the upgrade. Is there a way to access my old xml(?) file to ovverride the new one? I'm not sure how this works. I am confused by the whole xml file thing and I can't find any old ones either, so if you can explain in laymen terms, that would help a lot.
Unfortunately, my iPad mini has already synced automatically to my macbook and so the playlists are messed up there, as well. It looks like my iPod touch (4 generation) hasn't been effected yet.

So this is a disaster now. I followed the link that Linc Davis posted and tried to follow it. Halfway through the import, it says disk full and I realize it's importing back to the macbook's hard drive, not my external drive which is where my iTunes library maps to. I have way too much music to keep on my macbook so I rerouted the library to a 2 TB external hard drive awhile back.
Now, not only are the playlist not recovered, but I'm missing half my music.
I just want this to go back to yesterday before the update. I've never restored the whole system before using Time machines. Should I just do that? If so, how??

'Recovered Files' in my iMac Trash folder

I have iMac that was upgraded to Mavericks in January. But only recently I have been seeing a folder, called 'Recovered Files', suddenly showing up in the Trash folder every day, despite deleting it daily. This folder contains file called 'MerpAD Office365'. I have no idea what this file is, and am unable to open it after restoring it to my desktop. What is this file, where does it come from, what is it for, what automatic process is putting it into my Trash folder, and why? Is it some sort of "secret" file? A forum member once said last year to just ignore it because it is harmless. Well, if someone knows that it's harmless, why is there so much secrecy about it?! Any chance of an answer to this question directly from Apple, because it seems to me the user community has been frustrated long enough on the whys and wherefores behind this Recovered-Files-in-Trash issue.

Office365 in the title would suggest it is something to do with Microsoft Office, if you have the latest version.
Recovered Files in the Trash are files that the OS puts there at restart, if it discovers a file that hasn't been "put away" properly.
There is no secrecy. It's just OS X doing housekeeping. If you want to ask someone, ask Microsoft why their apps aren't tidying up after themselves.

IPod shows NO music but "data" is there! How can I recover Playlists, etc?

Turned on my iPod (Windows formatted) and it showed NO music/content at all, like it was completely blank. Asked for Language selection on boot-up, etc.
The home computer is in another state, so I can't just resync to restore the music and playlists. iTunes shows the iPod as having 55GB of "data", but it doesn't show up on the player. It's like the internal database became corrupt.
I've tried a couple of data recovery programs, but nothing works. I'm primarily interested in recovering the PLAYLISTS. I have a backup of all the music, but the playlists took a long time to assemble.
Unless there's an easier fix (I've tried restarting the iPod, etc.) is there a location on the iPod (using Anapod Explorer or something) where the Playlist data is stored? I looked in the ".Trashes" and other folders but didn't see anything resembling Playlist data.

Have you tried Don King's method as outlined here?
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=915194#915194
Don't know if it will recover the playlist structure though.

Recovering playlist on my iMac?

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