How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
Summary
Learn how to re-create your iTunes library and playlists. With iTunes 8 and later, you can back up your iTunes library, playlists, and iTunes Store purchases (including Applications purchased from the App Store) for safekeeping. Click here for more information.
Products Affected
iTunes
Re-creating the iTunes Library file
1. Quit iTunes.
2. Locate your iTunes folder.
| Operating System | Location of iTunes Folder |
| Mac OS X | /Users/[your username]/Music |
| Microsoft Windows XP and 2000 | \Documents and Settings\[your username]\My Documents\My Music\ |
| Microsoft Windows Vista | \Users\[your username]\Music\ |
3. Open your iTunes folder.
4. Drag the iTunes Music Library.xml to the Desktop
5. Drag the following file from your iTunes folder to the Trash:
| Mac OS X | "iTunes Library" (in versions of iTunes prior to 4.9 this was called "iTunes 4 Music Library") |
| Microsoft Windows | "iTunes Library.itl" (in versions of iTunes prior to 4.9 this was called "iTunes 4 Music Library.itl") |
6. Open iTunes.
Important: Do not add any content into iTunes at this point.
7. Choose File > Library > Import Playlist.
8. Navigate to the iTunes Music Library.xml file on the Desktop.
- Mac users: Click Choose.
- Windows users: Click Open.
After re-creating your library, any devices that you sync with iTunes (Apple TV, iPod, iPhone) will see your iTunes library as a new library and will completely resync.
If your Podcasts list in iTunes is empty after following these steps, learn how to add them back into iTunes.
If the iTunes Music Library.xml file is not available, learn how to add files back to the Library (because the iTunes Music Library.xml file is not available, playlists and other information will not be available).