How To Reset Itunes Library On Mac

  1. How To Reset Itunes Library On Mac Computer
  2. Install Mac Os
  3. Mac Os Reinstall

Are you fed up with the frequent errors, issues and problems in using iTunes to transfer media files to iOS devices, purchase songs and other media files from iTunes Store, or backup/restore iOS media files from iOS devices to computer? You don’t have to uninstall iTunes from your PC or Mac because the culprit is not iTunes but media contents you streamed, downloaded or synced to other devices using iTunes. These contents are crowding up your iTunes and making it function less effectively.

The library could not be opened on mac. Therefore, you need to reset iTunes Library to get a new start. Once your iTunes Library is reset to its default settings, all your media contents, playlists, ratings, and apps will be completely wiped out. So, if you don’t want to lose your files, backup your iTunes Library to an external drive.

Learn how to refresh iTunes library on Mac or PC. If you moved your library to an external drive and changed the source folder via preferences, your iTunes library will.

  1. Every now and then, an iTunes Library has problems. You may have tracks or songs that disappear in the library, but that are still in your iTunes Media folder. Or playlists may change or disappear. Or there may be other, inexplicable problems. One way to try and fix these issues is to rebuild your iTunes library.
  2. 2020-4-5  It may happen that after updating iTunes some of your music files, videos or podcasts no longer appear in your library. This procedure explains how to clear your iTunes library and create a new one, by deleting two files from the iTunes folder. First close iTunes and then navigate to the iTunes folder: On Mac OS X: Click on Go Home.Navigate to Music iTunes.
  • Part 1: How to Reset iTunes Library
  • Part 2: What If Your iTunes Cannot Work Normally?
  • Tip: How to Consolidate, Find and Backup iTunes Library

How to Reset iTunes Library

If you want to reset iTunes Library on your Mac or Windows PC, then follow the steps outlined below.

#1. How to Reset iTunes Library on Mac

Step 1. Shut down iTunes on your Mac computer.
Step 2. Click on “Go > Home”.
Step 3. Select the Music folder, and click the iTunes folder.

Step 4. You will see two files named “iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml,” delete both files from your Mac.
Step 5. If you’ve completed the above steps, then open your Mac and create your own music library.

#2. How to Reset iTunes Library on Windows PC

Step 1. Shut down your iTunes on your Windows PC.
Step 2. Open Windows Explorer, then click “Music > iTunes” folder.
Step 3. You will see two files named “iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml,” delete both files from your Windows PC.

Step 4. If you’ve completed the above steps, then open your PC and create your own music library.

What If Your iTunes Cannot Work Normally?

If resetting iTunes Library was unable to fix iTunes errors and issues, then a better approach to solve iTunes issues and problems should be adopted. iMyFone TunesFix is the only iTunes repair tool that can fix all iTunes errors and problems without erasing or tampering with your iTunes Library files.

iMyFone TunesFix can correct any iTunes errors, or repair iTunes when it refuses to launch, reset, or respond to certain commands. It can fix iTunes errors such as install, connect, restore, backup, and reset errors. You can use it to boost your PC by freeing up your iTunes caches and media contents clogging up your iTunes.

Key Features:

  • Fix and reset iTunes Library when iTunes fails to work.
  • Repair any iTunes issues without losing important files or library.
  • Clear contents clogging up iTunes to free up space and boost your computer.
  • Fix more than 100 iTunes errors and issues in a few minutes.
  • Completely uninstall iTunes and all of its related components.

Steps to repair iTunes via TunesFix:

Step 1. Download and install iMyFone TunesFix on your PC.
Step 2. Launch iMyFone TunesFix and it will auto-detect your iTunes, and if there is no issue with your iTunes or iTunes software components, then you’ll be in the Home interface.

Step 3. From the Home interface, choose “Fix Other iTunes Problems” as the repair mode.

Step 4. Click “Repair”, and make sure you are in a stable internet connection. When the repair is completed, click “Open iTunes” and try using iTunes again.

How to Consolidate, Find and Backup iTunes Library

It would have been appropriate to first discuss how to consolidate iTunes library, find the iTunes media folder, and backup iTunes library and media files, before discussing how to reset iTunes Library on Mac or Windows PC. However, we let the first come last for a genuine reason.

How to Consolidate iTunes Library

Follow these steps to consolidate your iTunes Library.

Step 1. Launch iTunes, and go to the menu bar to click “File > Library > Organization Library”.
Step 2. Select “Consolidate files” and click “OK”.

How to Find iTunes Media Folder

The iTunes media folder is by default located in the iTunes folder.

  • On Mac: Open the Finder window, and click “Username > Music”.
  • On Windows 7 to 10: Go to Users > Username > Music.

However, if the iTunes media folder is not located in the default folder, then open iTunes and click “Preferences > Advanced > iTunes Media Folder Location” to know where to find your iTunes Media Folder.

How to Back up iTunes Library

You can back up your iTunes library to an external hard drive before resetting it.

Step 1. Close iTunes on PC or Mac, and find your iTunes folder.
Step 2. Drag the iTunes folder from its location and drop it on the external hard drive.

Now, you have a copy of your iTunes library in an external hard drive for safekeeping. Nevertheless, ensure to use iMyFone TunesFix in fixing iTunes whenever using iTunes for file management becomes difficult, and most iTunes operations end in an error.

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Here are some things to know

Your iTunes library, a database that's made up of all of the music and other media that you add to iTunes for Windows, is organized into two iTunes library files and an iTunes Media folder.

Before you back up your media:

  • Consolidate your iTunes library.
  • Redownload any previous purchases, like music, movies, TV shows, and more. The only way to back up your purchased media is to download your purchases to your computer.

iTunes and Store availability and features might vary by country or region. Learn what's available in your country or region.

If you have a Mac

In macOS Catalina, your previous iTunes media library is now available in the Apple Music app, Apple TV app, Apple Podcasts app, and Apple Books app. And when you back up your Mac, your media library is automatically included in that backup.

Consolidate your iTunes library

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen or at the top of the iTunes window, choose File > Library > Organize Library.
  3. Select Consolidate files.
  4. Click OK.

When you consolidate, copies of any files that were outside of your iTunes Media folder are added to your iTunes Media folder. To save space on your hard drive, you might want to delete the original files after you make sure that the copies are in your iTunes Media Folder.

Find the iTunes Media folder

By default, your iTunes Media folder is in your iTunes folder. To find it, go to User > Music > iTunes > iTunes Media.

If you don't see your iTunes Media folder in the above location, here's how to find it:

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. From the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window, choose Edit > Preferences.
  3. Click the Advanced tab.
  4. Look in the box under 'iTunes Media folder location' for the location of your iTunes Media folder.

Back up your library and media files

How To Reset Itunes Library On Mac Computer

After you consolidate your media files, you can back up your library and media files to an external drive.

Install Mac Os

  1. Quit iTunes.
  2. Find your iTunes folder.
  3. Right-click on your iTunes folder, then choose Copy.
  4. Go to your external hard drive, then right-click and choose Paste.
Reset

Restore your library from a backup

Mac Os Reinstall

You can restore your iTunes library from your external drive to your computer. If you're restoring an iTunes Library from a different computer, make sure that your new computer has the latest version of iTunes.

  1. Quit iTunes.
  2. Go to 'This Computer,' then click your external drive.
  3. Select your iTunes folder, then right-click and choose Copy.
  4. Go to the location on your computer where you want your iTunes library, then right-click and choose Paste.
  5. Hold down the Shift key while opening iTunes.
  6. When you see a message that asks you to Choose iTunes Library, click Choose Library.
  7. Choose the location where you copied your iTunes folder.
  8. Click Open.
  9. Choose the iTunes Library.itl file inside.