Music Library is Empty in iTunes

“Hi folks, today when I switched on my Mac machine, I noticed that the Music Library within iTunes is empty. However, one week before this unfortunate incident, I had added dozens of tracks into the library. Apart from this, it had a few rare recordings and years of worth voice memos. I want to make it clear that I have not deleted any files from the Music Library. Thus can anyone help me know why the Music Library is empty and how to get it back? I will be grateful for your assistance with regards to this issue.”

Sometimes, the Music Library within iTunes could get empty without any human input. Well, from the technical point of view, iTunes should not remove anything from Music Library unless you specifically delete it. However, Apple users have claimed that this issue appears after enabling iCloud Music Library in iTunes. Also there are reports that, the Music Library could get empty after updating iTunes. So to overcome this issue, here are a few effective solutions.

Solution 1: Time Machine

If you have enabled Time Machine feature on your Mac, then you can easily roll back your computer to that point in time when the problem did not exist. In case you have not enabled Time machine, proceed further with the alternative solutions given below.

Solution 2: Restore your iTunes library

Caution: Before moving ahead with this approach, ensure that you have the latest version of iTunes.

• At first, terminate the iTunes app completely
• From the menu bar present at the top of the screen, choose Go Home. Next, open the Music folder and then open iTunes folder
• Now, drag and drop the iTunes Library.itl file into your Desktop
• Within the iTunes folder, there will be a folder named Previous iTunes Libraries. Here, look for file named iTunes Library YYY-MM-DD (date when you updated iTunes)
• Select the file mentioned in above step and then press CMD + Chit Cmd + Up arrow  press Cmd + V
• After performing above step, YYYY-MM-DD file should be copied into iTunes folder. Rename the file iTunes Library.itl with the desired name
• Now, launch the iTunes app
• Message notification appears asking you to ‘Choose iTunes Library. Then Choose Library  Navigate to the file you renamed previously

The above troubleshooting method would help you restore Music Library in iTunes. Yet, if you could not recover Music Library files, then it’s recommended to go through an advanced approach given in upcoming section.

Advanced solution to get back files from Music Library in iTunes

Yodot Mac Photo Recovery is a steady application that helps to restore lost or deleted multimedia with just a few clicks of the mouse. Further, the tool can restore files from both internal and external storage mediums. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is exceptionally well and facilities easy restoration of files. This program works in read-only mode and hence user’s data will be in safe place. This tool is capable of recovering various music files such as – MP3, MP4, AIFF, AIF, AMR, M4b, WAV, MIDI, M4A, AIFC, RA, ALAC, WMA, MPC, VOX, GSM, AMR, MOV, MPEG, MPG, MP4, 3GP, 3G2, RM, M4V etc. It acts as a very good rescue in serious instances like itunes upgrade removed music files, Apple Music deleted all files and others.

Directions to retrieve iTunes Music library files

To begin with, download Yodot Mac Photo Recovery application on your Mac machine. Then, install the utility as per the directions provided by the set-up wizard. Next, launch the software and carry out the following steps,

Step 1: A screen will come up with two options such as Deleted Photo Recovery and Lost Photo Recovery. Choose the second option

Step 2: Select the drive/volume from where your music files need to be restored. If required, choose the required music file types to minimum the scanning time

Step 3: The robust algorithm of the software scans and restores the Music Library files

Step 4: Access retrieved files using File Types View or Data Type View styles for a better visibility

Step 5: Finally save files in some secure storage path