Migrate music libraries across apple products (Apple Music to iTunes, Apple Music MAC to Apple Music WINDOWS)

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Migrate music libraries across apple products (Apple Music to iTunes, Apple Music MAC to Apple Music WINDOWS)

I would like to 'migrate' my music library from 'Apple Music' on my Mac, to the new 'Apple Music Windows' 11 app. Using the "Import" button may work, HOWEVER it is confirmed that the 'import' does NOT migrate the Date_Added field, which is a requirement for me. So I have to figure out a way to get Apple Music on Windows 11 to read the native library (xml direct from Apple Music Mac) without 'importing' it.

I have tried copying the contents of the 'Music' library from the Mac (~User/Music) to Windows (~User/Music), but Apple Music app renames the database file to .damaged, and creates a new library. I have not been able to solve this, or understand why the Windows app cannot read the xml file. I can't read the data in the xml file as it's machine language. I can only read data in xml format that is 'exported', and as I stated earlier, using the 'export' method does not retain "date_added", as it simply creates a new library from the current point in time.

I know the xml file from Apple Music Mac is not 'damaged' because works fine on the Mac : ) Also, other Apple Music apps on other Macs can read this library perfectly fine.

How do I accomplish this migration? FYI, the music in my library is located on a network share, not locally on the Macintosh (however I don't think that matters).

One thing I have successfully been able to do is to have Apple Music Windows 'read/import' an iTunes library, when Apple Music Windows is first installed. So if there was a way to convert Apple Music Mac to iTunes, that would work, but I have not been able to figure out that either: iTunes won't read the Mac xml files.

Posted on May 29, 2024 10:13 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

274,570 points

May 29, 2024 2:49 PM in response to rbelusko

See Move your iTunes/Music library to a new computer - Apple Community for some general background. While a portable iTunes library could be moved between compatible versions of iTunes the Apple Music database cannot be transferred between platforms. XML files can be modified to allow a successful import, but Date Added is always set to the import date and time. It might be feasible to use a script update the system clock before and after each import but I've always avoided testing this for fear of adverse consequences. A subscription to Apple Music is a possible way to transfer the library while preserving Date Added information.

I would recommend using iTunes rather than Apple Music for Windows.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

274,570 points

Jun 7, 2024 7:20 PM in response to rbelusko

Again Apple don't make it easy to copy your content from your device into the computer. There are ways to do it (see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - Apple Community) but they don't typically preserve date added. As before a subscription to Apple Music is the best prospect here.

tt2

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Answer 3

rbelusko Author

Level 1

6 points

May 29, 2024 6:02 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks. I saw a previous post you put up on a similar issue.

I've gone from iTunes-Windows to Apple Music. The "Apple Music" import was challenging and took a while, however it did preserve my iTunes library perfectly.

Now I wanted to revert back to the Windows side (or at least know I'm able to migrate if I wanted to).

I cannot open the Apple Music library (from the MacOS) on either iTunes or Apple Music Windows. It says it's 'damaged'.

Sadly the XML import accomplishes the task perfectly, just without the "Date Added" field, which as I stated is critical for me.

I'll stay on Apple Music for MacOS for now. Perhaps Apple Music Windows is not mature enough yet for this task.

Thanks!

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Answer 4

rbelusko Author

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6 points

Jun 6, 2024 5:06 AM in response to turingtest2

So I can temporarily subscribe to Apple Music to have the libraries "migrated" via the cloud?

If I am subscribed to Apple Music, then I can just login and have it auto-migrate? Even if the content is locally stored?

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

274,570 points

Jun 7, 2024 9:55 AM in response to rbelusko

rbelusko wrote:

So I can temporarily subscribe to Apple Music to have the libraries "migrated" via the cloud?

If I am subscribed to Apple Music, then I can just login and have it auto-migrate? Even if the content is locally stored?

Hi, as ever it isn't quite as simple as that. When you first subscribe to Apple Music your local content should be matched or uploaded and join your unhidden purchase history in the cloud, complete with date added information. If you then sign in from a second library that should be merged with what is already in the cloud. I don't know exactly how Date Added details get resolved there, but would hope the oldest version is used. If you sign in from an empty library then you know you're going to get the current value from the cloud. You would need to ensure that all content has been downloaded from the cloud (and ideally the library backed up) before you turn off the Apple Music subscription. As I say I haven't tested it in anger but I see no reason why such a library wouldn't retain the date added values once the subscription is closed.

tt2

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Answer 6

rbelusko Author

Level 1

6 points

Jun 7, 2024 10:20 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks. That way definitely seems to come with some risks.

My iPhone syncs with Apple Music on the Mac perfectly. What about going from the iPhone to a NEW iTunes Library? Is this possible?

I did a quick test, and the immediate issue I ran into is that the iTunes library tries to sync TO the phone: there doesn't appear to be an option to have iTunes download the music library. Is there?

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