How to Restore iTunes Library on Mac
2012-05-16 00:57:00 /
Posted by Ivan Cook to iTunes Tips
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For avoiding the big downside—one system crash or failed hard drive, you may lose everything you've spent hours ripping from CDs or, even worse, purchasing from the iTunes Music Store, you may have backed up your iTunes library to prevent the loss of your precious files. But what if you want to reinstall iTunes library on your Mac (Snow Leopard, Lion included) after some accident or something? Don't worry, here you will find the answer about the iTunes restore:
Condition 1:
If you back up iTunes library to CD/DVD disc, then for restoring iTunes library, you then could follow this:
- Open iTunes and insert your backup disc.
- Then iTunes will ask whether you want to restore iTunes from this disc. Click Restore.
The next two conditions show you how to restore iTunes playlists:
Condition 2:
If you have an iPod/iPhone/iPad and used to transfer media files with your iTunes, then you can use SyncPod for Mac to sync these files back to your iTunes including playlists by dragging. This Mac app won't require you to open your iTunes. to restore iTunes from backup, here take iPod for example:
- Install SyncPod for Mac on the computer and launch it, then connect your iPod to Mac. By doing this, SyncPod will detect your iPod automatically. The smart Mac app works on MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac.
- Drag iPod contents to your iTunes directly: your iPod contents and iTunes library will appear in two side by side windows, ready to play. You can now drag music (individual or albums, playlists, artists, genres), movies, TV shows, photos, e-book, and audio books in "iPod window" on the left over to "iTunes Window" or somewhere on your Mac-just click the Folder tab.
Note: 1. Check "hide duplicate contents on both sides" on the left corner of the interface, so that you can easily find the missing contents and transfer to iTunes quickly. 2. SyncPod allows users to transfer iPod contents to another iTunes library/Mac that it's not synced with. For DRM protected items, you need to authorize the computer first. Then the files will be able to play on Mac or on devices.
Condition 3:
If you back-upped iTunes to external hard drive or other places, you can import your playlists like this to restore iTunes backup:
- Connect the external hard drive to Mac and open iTunes.
- Head to "File"> "Library"> "Import playlists…" .
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