Back Up iTunes Library Before macOS Catalina

Upgrading to macOS Catalina replaces the iTunes app with separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps. While your library files usually remain intact, a full backup protects against data loss during the transition. This guide shows you how to create a complete backup of your iTunes library—including music, playlists, and metadata—so you can restore everything if something goes wrong.

What You’ll Need

An external hard drive or a cloud storage service with enough free space (at least as much as your iTunes folder size).
Your Mac’s admin password (if you need to copy system files).
Optional: A USB drive or second location for a second copy.

Step-by-Step

Close iTunes completely. Quit the app from the menu bar (iTunes > Quit iTunes) or press Cmd+Q. This prevents file changes during the backup.
Locate your iTunes folder. Open Finder and go to Home (your username) > Music. You’ll see a folder named iTunes. This is the main folder that contains your library.
Check the folder size. Right-click the iTunes folder and select Get Info. Note the size—you’ll need enough free space on your backup drive.
Connect your external drive. Plug in your external hard drive or ensure your cloud storage is mounted and accessible.
Copy the iTunes folder. Drag the iTunes folder from Music to your external drive or cloud folder. Wait for the copy to complete—this can take a while if your library is large. Do not interrupt the process.
Verify the copy. After copying, open the backup folder and check that the iTunes Library.itl file and the Media subfolder are present. Spot-check a few media files to ensure they open correctly.
Optional: Export your library as XML. In iTunes, go to File > Library > Export Library…. Save the .xml file to your backup location. This file contains metadata like playlists and ratings, which can be useful if you need to re-import your library in a third-party app.
Make a second copy (recommended). If possible, copy the iTunes folder to a second location (e.g., another external drive or a cloud service). This protects against drive failure.
Proceed with the upgrade. Once your backup is verified, you can safely upgrade to macOS Catalina.

Common Mistakes

Only copying the .itl file. The .itl file is just the database; without the Media folder, your actual music files are missing. Always copy the entire iTunes folder.
Not checking free space. If your backup drive runs out of space mid-copy, you’ll get an incomplete backup. Check available space beforehand.
Interrupting the copy. Unplugging the drive or putting the Mac to sleep during the copy can corrupt the backup. Let it finish.
Forgetting to close iTunes. If iTunes is running, it might modify files during the copy, leading to inconsistencies.
Ignoring the XML export. While not essential, the XML file is a valuable extra that can help in recovery scenarios.

Tips

Use Time Machine. If you have Time Machine enabled, it’s an additional layer of protection. But don’t rely solely on it—a manual copy is more portable.
Compress the folder. If you have space, you can create a zip archive of the iTunes folder for easier storage and to reduce the risk of file corruption. Right-click the folder and select Compress “iTunes”.
Keep the backup after upgrade. Even after Catalina is installed, keep your backup for a few weeks until you’re confident everything works.
Use a cloud service. Services like iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or Google Drive can store your backup offsite, protecting against theft or fire.
Note your Apple ID. Your purchases are tied to your Apple ID, so you can re-download them later, but a backup still saves time and bandwidth.

Troubleshooting

Copy fails or errors. If Finder reports an error, try copying the folder in smaller chunks (e.g., copy the Media folder separately). Also ensure the destination drive is formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS, not exFAT, for best compatibility.
Cannot find the iTunes folder. If you don’t see it in Music, check Home > Music again—it might be named differently if you’ve changed it. Use Spotlight (Cmd+Space) and search for “iTunes Library.itl” to locate it.
Backup is incomplete. If you suspect files are missing, compare the file count between the original and backup. Select both folders and press Cmd+I to see the item count.
External drive not recognized. Try a different USB port or cable. If the drive is formatted with Windows (NTFS), your Mac can read but not write to it—you’ll need to reformat it (but that erases data, so use a different drive).
After upgrade, Music app shows no library. If this happens, you can restore from your backup by dragging the iTunes folder back to Music and then opening the Music app while holding the Option key to select the library file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to back up if I use Apple Music or iTunes Match?

Yes. Even if your purchased music is in the cloud, your playlists, ratings, and non-purchased files (like ripped CDs) are local. A backup ensures you don’t lose them.

Can I just copy the .itl file?

No. The .itl file is just a database pointing to your media files. Without the Media folder, you’ll have an empty library.

Where does iTunes store its library on macOS Catalina?

After upgrade, the Music app stores its library in ~/Music/Music. Your old iTunes folder remains in ~/Music/iTunes unless you delete it.

How long does the backup take?

It depends on the size of your library and the speed of your drive. A 50 GB library might take 10-30 minutes to copy to an external HDD.

Can I use the backup to move my library to a new Mac?

Yes. Copy the iTunes folder to the new Mac, then open the Music app while holding Option and select the .itl file from the backup.

What if I don’t have an external drive?

You can use a cloud service, but uploads can be slow for large libraries. Alternatively, you can burn important files to DVDs, but that’s impractical for big libraries.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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