Moving iTunes library from 2012 Mac to new Mac

Question

Moving iTunes library from 2012 Mac to new Mac

Hi. I have a 2012 mac that needs updating. I have a huge music library in iTunes which consists of my CD collection which I've ripped to iTunes. New Macs do not now have iTunes, they seem to simply have Apple Music. I've visited two Apple stores and asked how I would transfer my iTunes library to a new mac and both stores said this cannot be done because of copyright issues!!! They pretty much said that I'd lose the whole lot????

I think this is total rubbish. So anyone with an old iTunes library consisting of their own CDs simply loses everything if you buy a new Mac? That seems insane. So can anyone firstly advise me if what they are saying is correct and if not, can you tell me how I transfer my iTunes onto a new Mac

Many thanks guys

Posted on Nov 26, 2024 4:25 PM

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Answer 1

6x6

Level 6

16,412 points

Nov 27, 2024 6:18 AM in response to VinylJunkie57

To set up a new Mac, use the Migration Assistant to transfer all your data: Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support. This will transfer your iTunes library as well.

I will believe these persons are incorrect. I replaced my Mac in 2019 which coincided with the release of macOS Catalina (which no longer had iTunes.) My iTunes library (with my ripped CDs) was immediately available in Music. Since then, I upgraded macOS yearly (macOS Sequoia as of today) and I’m having no issues with my CDs.

Now, I’ve seen some users mentioning having issues with ripped music when they have an Apple Music subscription. I don’t know if it’s true and, if it is, it may be isolated incidents. On my end I do not have an Apple Music subscription.

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Answer 2

6x6

Level 6

16,412 points

Nov 26, 2024 4:46 PM in response to VinylJunkie57

Hello VinylJunkie57,

I believe they are incorrect. When Apple dropped iTunes on the Mac back in macOS Catalina, I had no problem viewing my ripped CDs in the new Music app.

Even now on macOS Sequoia 15.1.1, my settings in the Music app still point to my iTunes library:

Please note that I do not have an Apple Music subscription.

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Answer 3

Nov 27, 2024 1:10 AM in response to 6x6

Hi. Thanks for replying. I think the difference here is that I’m buying a new Mac as opposed to just downloading the latest iOS on my existing Mac. That’s where they tell me it’s a copyright issue. Transferring all my music from one Mac to another is, according to the two people I spoke to, just not allowed. I still think they’re wrong.

But my main question is, how do I physically do it?

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