Restoring playlists

We inadvertently moved our iTunes library to an external hard drive, and successfully restored it, but no longer have our music categorized in the playlists that I had beforehand. Can anyone suggest how to restore the playlists?

redtide151 wrote:
HI-
Thanks for the response. Were you referring to the Edit>Preferences>Advanced in iPhoto itself? I don't have those options if so. Can you recommend another way?
In iTunes, actually. That is where to find it in iTunes 8. If you are running iTunes 7, it is somewhere else, maybe Edit > Preferences > Advanced > General.

Similar Messages

How to restore playlists and ratings after hard drive format

Several people have reported problems restoring paylists and ratings after reformating a hard drive. Here is what worked for me and what did not.
I had to reformat my hard drive. Before doing that I exported my playlists from itunes to another hard drive as an xml file. I also copied the folder with all my songs to another drive. (Also of course had it backed up on DVDs.)Then I copied the itunes library files (see url http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93732) to anoher drive.
After reformating my hard drive and installing the lastest verion of ITunes, I copied the actual songs back into a subfolder in my music folder. I then told iTunes to import the subfolder with the actual music. That resulted in a restored library that lacked playlists and ratings.
Don't do this
I purchased Anapod ($30.00) because its web page said (http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/):
"Anapod CopyGear is an easy-to-use, compact utility for copying music tracks, playlists, podcasts, photos, and videos from your iPod back to your PC."
Well, I did transfer 104 playlists back to my iTunes library through the Anapod backup function. However, the transfer also put more than 20 gigs of duplicate songs into the library. All of the songs listed in the playlists were duplicated in iTunes. I could find no way in Anapod to simply copy the ratings and the playlists. Anapod documentation was outdated. For example the online help pages said that playlists could not be backed up. This was confusing because I had just done that.
"In a future release we will be adding the ability to backup your iPod playlists. This will allow you to generate backup files of your iPod playlists on the computer. These files will not be usable on your computer though. They can only be used to restore playlists at a later time on your iPod (assuming it still carries all the audio files referred to in that playlist)." This text is from url http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/support/tome/tx2pc.php#5.1.2
I sent requests to Anapod for help today, but they have not been answered yet. Docs truly did not seem to help. Would have been good if there was a pdf file rather than just an online help html file that seemed outdated.
This worked for me:
I ended up having iTunes wipe out the entire library because of all the dups Anapod made. (Made sure that iTunes only wiped out library and did not delete actual songs from hard drive. Then I had iTunes import my subfolder with songs again. That brought me back to where I was before wasting money and much time on Anapod.
After I had my iTunes library up (without ratings and playlists and after finding Anapod did not meet my needs.
1. I imported the xml file to which I had exported playlists before reformating hard drive. That gave me the playlists back although an error message said some items not copied because the music tracks listed in playlists were not in my iTunes library. --Possibly I deleted songs after playlists were downloaded some time ago to iPod. Importing the xml file is probably not necessary because of what I did below.
2. Quit iTunes
3. Because my song ratings were still missing, I then moved the iTunes library files made by the new version of iTunes into a different folder.
4. Then I put my old version 4 library files into the place where the library files should be.
5. Then I crossed my fingers and restarted iTunes. It took awhile to start and said it was updating my library files. Now I have back most or all of my playlists and ratings.
If problems develop, I will probably wipe out iTunes library and use Anapod to move everything from my iPod into a folder and tell iTunes to import that folder. That approach might avoid the dups that Anapod makes when restoring playlists to iTunes.
So my message is keep your actual songs backed up somewhere (such as DVD's and anotehr hard drive) and keep a duplicate copy of your library files somewhere not on your hard drive. With these items you should be able to restore iTunes library to its former status.
Sorry for the length of this message. Hope it helps someone.

The simple version of above:
iTunes Files to Backup (anytime you make additions or changes to the Music or Library that you want to retain)
1) All music files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
2) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
3) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
4) Any XML playlist files created for Playlist retention
5) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
6) The XML file of Ratings, Play Counts and Last Played attributes saved from the main Library and created by Otto’s SaveRatings script (also optional, but recommended):
“Download this: http://ottodestruct.com/itunes/SaveRatings.zip . It's a program, just run it like any other program. Run it on the machine where you're copying the info from BEFORE you move the files to the new machine. Click the "Save Ratings" button and it'll create a ratings.xml file. Now when you move the files, move the program and this file as well. Then after you make your new iTunes library, run it again and click the "Restore Ratings" button. Voila, all your information is back in the Library. Well, most of it anyway, it's not perfect. It'll tell you what songs it couldn't figure out though, and there's usually not very many.”

How do I restore playlist folders from iPod classic to iTunes? The library is intact, but the playlists are not and I don't want to rebuild them from scratch!

After reformatting my HD and reimporting all songs back into iTunes succesfully, the playlist folders are gone and I don't want to rebuild them from scratch. How do I restore playlists from iPod classic to iTunes 11.1.3 without resorting to 3rd party options?

I actually tried that in "my computer" by renaming the drive and then got this:
g-raid (F:) (H:)
then after reading your reply realized I should try renaming it in "disk management" and hey! it worked.
Thanks a lot for the advice.
Now I don't understand why my back-up drive isn't automatically adding the files when I import into the Ex-HD but I'll figuree it out.

I accidentally deleted all my music from iTunes I was able to recover the music. How can I restore playlists?

I accidentally deleted all my music from iTunes I was able to recover the music. How can I restore playlists?

If these playlists are still on your iPod, check out this older thread on how to export playlists from your iPod via iTunes.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12256388
Otherwise, I'm afraid you are of luck and will need to rebuild them.
B-rock

Is it possible to restore playlists?

I recently had my macbook pro reimaged, and successfully imported my itunes library back onto the computer from external backup source. I'm not sure if this is possible, but is there a way to restore playlist organization as well?

It may be as simple as starting iTunes while holding down the option/alt key and selecting that file when iTunes asks for a library. For most users iTunes works together with a bunch of files and folder to give you the presentation you see. It is best to not split apart the iTunes folder and to copy it entirely.
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.

How to restore playlists?

I just updated my iPod, and when it was done updating, I correctly disconnected it, but after doing so my playlists disappeared on iTunes, however they are on my iPod. I don't see any topic-related articles on the website as to why this happened and how I can restore them. Thankyou for any additional suggestions to help me with this strange situation! Debbie

It sounds like the songs are in a different folder now and the playlists can't find the songs. If you had exported the Library (File/Export Library) before the re-install you would only need to import that Library file.
Sounds like it's time to rebuild your playlists - unless your music IS in a different folder. Put the music files back where they were and your playlists should refill themselves.
Tracy

Help Restoring Playlists

Our computer crashed and once we were able to get it up and running again I was able to restore the music library; however I had a lot of playlists and I'm not sure how to restore them. I have most of the playlists on my iPod but have not sync'd it to my computer. Please help!

Do you have a backup copy of the itunes database ITL file before the crash?
Just put that on your PC , start iTUnes and immediately press & hold the shift key. Choose that restored ITL file when prompted.
There are some 3rd-party ipod managers that can retrieve playlists from iPods, if you don't have a copy of the ITL file..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparisonof_iPodmanagers

IPod sync question - how to restore playlists

I have a new MacBook Pro and Geek Squad trensferred my music but not my playlists. Can I restore them from my iPod?

The simple version of above:
iTunes Files to Backup (anytime you make additions or changes to the Music or Library that you want to retain)
1) All music files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
2) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
3) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
4) Any XML playlist files created for Playlist retention
5) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
6) The XML file of Ratings, Play Counts and Last Played attributes saved from the main Library and created by Otto’s SaveRatings script (also optional, but recommended):
“Download this: http://ottodestruct.com/itunes/SaveRatings.zip . It's a program, just run it like any other program. Run it on the machine where you're copying the info from BEFORE you move the files to the new machine. Click the "Save Ratings" button and it'll create a ratings.xml file. Now when you move the files, move the program and this file as well. Then after you make your new iTunes library, run it again and click the "Restore Ratings" button. Voila, all your information is back in the Library. Well, most of it anyway, it's not perfect. It'll tell you what songs it couldn't figure out though, and there's usually not very many.”

Help - how to restore playlists that have not been backed-up...

hi All - some help required please!
my itunes library has been getting bigger and bigger so a few days ago I decided to transfer all my itunes media to an external drive to free up space on my internal drive... So far so good, all 106gb of the music and movies have transferred across and iTunes can find it all etc.
MY PROBLEM:
the problem is that now all my playlists have gone, ie they are still shown in iTunes down the left side, but they are empty
All the playlists are still active and present on my ipod, since I haven't yet reconnected it. I also have a couple on my iphone, also not yet reconnected.
Is there a way to restore my deleted playlists (obviously not manually!), perhaps by synching my ipod to itunes, although I suspect this might simply delete the playlists from my ipod?
A bit more detail on how I transferred my iTunes media: I copied the iTunes music folder (which includes movies) to my external hardrive. I then deleted the content from iTunes. I went to Preferences, Advanced and re-pointed my iTunes media location to my external drive. I then went File, Add folder to library and after a bit of time it was all there again... I am running iTunes 10 on a PC with Windows 7.
Any help or even better solutions much appreciated!!!
Thanks!

Buy a 3rd-party ipod manager that supports your model of ipod and also supports getting playlists off of it. There is no transferring of playlists from ipod to itunes using itunes itself.
Here is a good place to start your research on that:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/P2/
I'm not sure how you moved stuff around. If you used the itunes file > library > consolidate command to move the files to the exHD, your playlists shouldn't be empty.

How to restore playlists after reinstall?

Hi there,
I'm sorry you must have answered this question a million times. After the reinstallation of os X I restored all my backup files with Backup 3.0. I managed to add my songs to the library of my fresh version of iTunes but unfortunately the playlists remain empty.
More specifically: iTunes shows the playlists as they used to be but without the songs in it.
Thanks for your help,
Eaglepeak

It sounds like the songs are in a different folder now and the playlists can't find the songs. If you had exported the Library (File/Export Library) before the re-install you would only need to import that Library file.
Sounds like it's time to rebuild your playlists - unless your music IS in a different folder. Put the music files back where they were and your playlists should refill themselves.
Tracy

How Can I Restore Playlist Contents?

Recently got my MBP back from Apple repair. New logic board and reformatted hard drive. I restored all data from a back-up, but I now find that all of my playlists are empty.
My iTunes library is on an external HD, so all the files are safe, but the playlists contain nothing.
I'm assuming that there must be some way to restore the playlists using Time Machine, but I'd appreciate some guidance from the community before I blunder about blindly.
Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

I figured it out. It wouldn't drag over but right click and send to playlist worked

HT201250 Restore playlist to iTunes from Time Machine backup

I need to restore my playlist to iTunes from Time Machine backup. Anyone know how?

cindy1023 wrote:
i had a hacker get in my computer, got all my info used my name and passwords to convert safari into windows on another computer? and APPLE IS THE ONE GAVE HER THE PASSWORD.
There is no way to "convert" Safari into Windows. And very unlikely for a hacker to get into a Mac.
But, ok, your system is all messed-up somehow.
First, what version of OSX is on your Mac? If you don't know, click the Apple icon at the upper-left of the screen and select About This Mac. You'll see a display like this:
We need the Version number.
Second question: do you have backups made with Time Machine (on an external HD or the like) that you want to restore, or do you want to start your Mac over fresh, the way it came from the factory?
p.s. i dont have the disc it came with , my daughter set it up for me to get started !
You may need that, depending on what version of OSX you're running, to restore the backups or start fresh.
You really should have a copy of the original disc, as there's an Apple Hardware Test on it, tailored to the hardware on that Mac. You'll need it it there's ever a problem. If your daughter can't send it, call AppleCare (800-275-2273),and give them your serial number -- they can send you a replacement for a nominal fee.
Sorry, but it's late here, and I'm going to bed, but will be back tomorrow.

Restore playlist from time machine

All the songs from a playlist of mine have somehow been deleted. The playlist is still there but its empty. I have a time machine backup which should have that playlist, but apparently there is no easy way to get just that playlist back. I dont really want to restore from that point, because I have done a lot of other changes within itunes that I don't want to lose. So is there some way to get JUST that playlist back? Or somehow open itunes within time machine and then export that playlist? is that doable? I tried choosing a different iTunes library and then going to the one in time machine, but it wouldnt open it, saying its locked. So what I want is a way get back a playlist without changing any of my other more recent playlists or current metadata.
Thanks

The same thing happened to me, but I have not made changes that I need to keep. How can I restore the old iTunes set-up using Time Machine?

Restore Playlists from Backup

Created an OSX account for my kids on the iMac. I wanted them to have access to all of the music on my account so I moved my iTunes music to the PUBLIC folder and pointed their account iTunes to there. All the music is now in my kids account. But all of the playlists are gone. My daughter will freak if she can't sync her iPod. Not only have the playlists disappeared in her iTunes, they have in the old account on the iMac. I backup everynight and think I have a clean copy on an external hard drive. Is there a specific file that would just have my playlists that I can restore? I don't want to restore my music...just my playlists. Thanks.
Using iTunes 7.0.2

so I moved my iTunes music to the PUBLIC folder
The entire iTunes folder or the 'iTunes Music' folder inside it?
If you moved the iTunes folder, you also moved iTunes' database, the 'iTunes Library' file.
This file shouldn't have been moved.
s there a specific file that would just have my playlists that I can restore?
That's the 'iTunes Library' file.
What are the iTunes library files? tells you more about the library files.
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer tells you how it should have been done.
My daughter will freak if she can't sync her iPod.
Sharing the way as described in the mentioned article requires other users to rebuild the iTunes library and playlists etc.
To prevent a freaking daughter try this (don't shoot me if it doesn't work):
Once your account has a working library containing all playlists, move the music (music only!!) to the shared or public area. iTunes still has all playlists?
OK. Copy the 'iTunes Library' file from your account to a shred location.
Then switch to your daughters account and copy the 'iTunes Library' file from the shared location to /Users/DaughtersUsername/Music/iTunes.
Run iTunes and hopefully all playlists are present.
Because your daughter now has her own account, the iPod is not associated with it.
Connect the iPod and immediately press and hold the Command (⌘) and Option (⌥) keys.
Hold these keys down until the iPod appears in iTunes.
This action prevents the iPod from wiping the iTunes library.
The best thing to do next is to restore the iPod and sync the library or selected playlists with it.
Hope this helps.
M
17' iMac 800 MHz, 768 MB RAM, 200 GB HD, DL burner Mac OS X (10.4.8) iTunes 7.0.2

How do I restore playlist(not smart playlist)

I accidentally deleted 2 of my Playlist, and how can I find them back?

Hopefully those playlists existed before the last time you upgraed iTunes. If so you could use this sort of approach
Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash
Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.
See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
OR
Export the two playlists as text files, then restore the more recent library database and reimport the playlists you just exported.
When you get it all working make a backup!
tt2

Restoring playlists

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for