Transferring over iTunes data from a computer with Mojave to a computer with Catalina

[Benz63amg]

I backed up and copied over the entire iTunes folder from the users > music folder on my iMac running Mojave, Since catalina has no iTunes and obviously no iTunes folder and i simply paste my backed up iTunes folder into, How would i go about restoring my iTunes library on a new mac machine that is running Catalina? Thank you

 

[DeltaMac]

Copy your iTunes folder to your new Catalina system - same location: your user folder/Music/

 

[Benz63amg]

Copy your iTunes folder to your new Catalina system - same location: your user folder/Music/

And when I open the new Music app on catalina, how would I go about restoring my music and playlists into the new Music app? Will it simply show up as if I was on Mojave or did I need to perform some sort of action and direct the Music app to perform a restore from the iTunes folder in any way?

 

[Mr Todhunter]

Why don’tyou install iTunes? So much better than the Music app which is still CRAP.

 

[Benz63amg]

Why don’tyou install iTunes? So much better than the Music app which is still CRAP.

But Apple said iTunes isn’t available on catalina

 

[CoastalOR]

OP: There is software called Retroactive that will allow installation of iTunes on Catalina.
Here is the MacRumors thread about it:

Retroactive: Mac app that lets you run Aperture, iPhoto, or iTunes on macOS Catalina

Check out the Retroactive app. It lets you run Aperture, iPhoto, or iTunes on macOS Catalina. https://github.com/cormiertyshawn895/Retroactive Retroactive app: Aperture, iPhoto, iTunes 12, and iTunes 10 on macOS Catalina:

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Mr Todhunter]

But Apple said iTunes isn’t available on catalina

Retroactive is the answer. Check the link provided by CoastalOR. I’ve even installed iTunes on the Big Sur beta with Retrospect and it works like a charm. Cheers!

 

[WebHead]

The Music app seems to work the same way as iTunes when switching libraries - maybe you could just copy your iTunes library file across?

Switch libraries with the Apple Music app in macOS – Apple Support (AU)

If you have multiple iTunes libraries, find out how to switch between them in the Apple Music app in macOS Catalina or later.

support.apple.com

Alternatively just point the Music app at the library folder and re-import. That wouldn't preserve your playlists though.

This whole import process is part of the reason I've delayed upgrading from Mojave. But because I have an iTunes Match account I should theoretically just be able to re-download my library.

 

[Benz63amg]

The Music app seems to work the same way as iTunes when switching libraries - maybe you could just copy your iTunes library file across?

Switch libraries with the Apple Music app in macOS – Apple Support (AU)

If you have multiple iTunes libraries, find out how to switch between them in the Apple Music app in macOS Catalina or later.

support.apple.com

Alternatively just point the Music app at the library folder and re-import. That wouldn't preserve your playlists though.

This whole import process is part of the reason I've delayed upgrading from Mojave. But because I have an iTunes Match account I should theoretically just be able to re-download my library.

Why wouldn’t it preserve my playlists? Does the Music app in catalina not have playlists?

 

[DeltaMac]

Why do you think that Music does not preserve your iTunes playlists?
It should do that. It won't preserve non-music in a playlist, such as podcasts, or movies, as those types of media would not use the Music app. But your purchased songs and your other music should continue to appear in playlists.
Your music would be synced through your iCloud account, right?

Can you add songs to a playlist in Music?
Of course!

Do your iTunes-created playlists transfer over completely to the Music app?
You would need to try that out for yourself. (Make a copy of your iTunes library before you begin using that iTunes library in Music. You can delete that copy when you find out that everything that should work in Music actually does for you.
Will it be the same experience as iTunes? Not likely, but a good trial of that will tell you if it is something that you can work with (or not)
Maybe this article will be relevant for your --- https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/music-app-3701585/

 

[Fishrrman]

I've tried Retroactive on Catalina and it works just fine.
I particularly like the fact that one can still connect to free internet streaming radio stations with iTunes. The new Catalina music app DOES NOT permit this.

 

[Boyd01]

I don't have any content on my Catalina Mac, but I have a Mini running Mojave that I use as an iTunes server. The Catalina Mac can access all the media on the server with no problems. But the shared playlists don't work in the Catalina Music app. I can open the playlists but they are blank.

No problems accessing all the shared playlists from two other Macs running Sierra and two Apple TV's with the latest TV OS. So there are definitely some playlist-related issues on Catalina. I have the same problem with shared video playlists in the Catalina TV app.

 

[WebHead]

Why wouldn’t it preserve my playlists? Does the Music app in catalina not have playlists?

Sorry for the delay. I meant it won't preserve your playlists if you simply reimport your music from scratch. I'm assuming you need the library file for the playlists.

 

[HenryAZ]

Sorry for the delay. I meant it won't preserve your playlists if you simply reimport your music from scratch. I'm assuming you need the library file for the playlists.

I don't know about Catalina's Music App, but in prior versions, with iTunes, playlists are not transferred, even with the library file. You need to export each playlist on the old machine, and import them to the new machine. In iTunes, the export/import options are under File/Lilbrary in the menu.