FIX (possible) Apple Music/iCloud Music metadata

[Julien]

I did the following possible Apple Music/iCloud Music Library metadata fix about 16 hours ago. iTunes has been open and playing the entire time except for a quick close/open to be sure it would stick.

Here are the steps I took. All may not be necessary but I’m including what I did.

• Before enabling Show Apple Music and iCloud Music Library make a copy of the iTunes Library.itl & Library.xml files to a safe location for backup only (Desktop/Backup
• Make Duplicates of your Playlists if this is a problem (It still seems to screw them up)
• Open iTunes and enable Show Apple Music and iCloud Music Library, wait (only) until ready
• The following 2 steps must be done quickly before iCML does damage
• Make a metadata change on a song (just change the Star rating or add a Heart)
• Copy the iTunes Library.itl & Library.xml files to a safe location (Desktop/Apple Music) before iCLM screws
• Confirm iTunes is still ‘clean’, if iCML beat you then you will need to repeat
• Sit back and wait for iCLM to do it’s damage
• Close iTunes and copy the Apple Music (not the backup) iTunes Library.itl & Library.xml files from Desktop/Apple Music to your User: Music: iTunes folder (replace)
• The following 4 steps must be done quickly before iCML does damage
• Open iTunes, go to User: Music: iTunes folder
• Highlight and right click: Get Info on your Library.itl & Library.xml files
• Change Read & Write Privilege on both to Read only
• Check the Locked check box
• Wait for iCML to do it’s damage (strange that you see it in iTunes but it doesn’t/can’t change files)
• Close iTunes and reopen
• Change back to Read & Write Privilege on both
• Uncheck the Locked check box

It seems that iCML ‘thinks’ it made the changes but since the files were locked the changes didn’t stick. iCML now seems content with the changes it ‘didn’t ‘ actually make.

 

[Julien]

Updated OS X to 10.10.5 (beta) about an hour ago and all iTunes metadata is still fully intact. Have almost made it to a full day now at over 22 hours. I'm starting to feel confident I have FIXED Apple Music/iCloud Music Library metadata problems.

No one wants to join me?

 

[flur]

Wow. This is insane. I'll be curious to hear in a week if it holds up longer term.

 

[Julien]

Just passed 24 hours and on the 2ed day. Also enabled Apple Music on my iPad about 1½ hours ago and all looks good. Made a change on my Mac's iTunes and it showed up on my iPad Music App before I could look at it (like 1 second). Metadata is exactly the way it was before I made the fix and iCML has not altered it in anyway. I'm going to wait until tomorrow afternoon to enable Apple Music on my iPhone just to be sure.

I bet over the last couple of weeks I had made changes that got reversed by iCML over 100 times. It almost seems unreal being able to make metadata changes that I want and iCML not overriding my changes.

It seems very likely I have found a workaround fix but with iCML you can probably never be 100% sure.

Strange that all the people who were having metadata problems aren't quick to jump on this fix.

 

[MoodyM]

Does this actually fix the mismatched songs, etc?

 

[Julien]

Does this actually fix the mismatched songs, etc?

I don't think it will fix what iCML has already broken. You need to start with all your metadata the way you want it (use Time Machine or other backup).

It just won't allow iCML to mess it up again.

 

[MoodyM]

I might give this a try

 

[Julien]

Added my iPhone earlier today and passed the 2 day mark about 4 hours ago. All is working and I believe the metadata bug is behind me.

 

[flur]

What happens when you add new music?

 

[Julien]

What happens when you add new music?

You mean Apple Music? I have done it on my Mac, iPad and iPhone and it populates to the other devices and correct Playlist.

If asking about CD's I haven't bought one to try. However I can rip one if you want to know.

 

[flur]

You mean Apple Music? I have done it on my Mac, iPad and iPhone and it populates to the other devices and correct Playlist.

If asking about CD's I haven't bought one to try. However I can rip one if you want to know.

I was asking about CDs or songs bought elsewhere. Don't try it on my account - I'd hate to be responsible if it FUBARs your library.

 

[quable]

Any way to write these instructions for the PC?

 

[SlowButEffectiv]

I did the following possible Apple Music/iCloud Music Library metadata fix about 16 hours ago. iTunes has been open and playing the entire time except for a quick close/open to be sure it would stick.

Here are the steps I took. All may not be necessary but I’m including what I did.

• Before enabling Show Apple Music and iCloud Music Library make a copy of the iTunes Library.itl & Library.xml files to a safe location for backup only (Desktop/Backup
• Make Duplicates of your Playlists if this is a problem (It still seems to screw them up)
• Open iTunes and enable Show Apple Music and iCloud Music Library, wait (only) until ready
• The following 2 steps must be done quickly before iCML does damage
• Make a metadata change on a song (just change the Star rating or add a Heart)
• Copy the iTunes Library.itl & Library.xml files to a safe location (Desktop/Apple Music) before iCLM screws
• Confirm iTunes is still ‘clean’, if iCML beat you then you will need to repeat
• Sit back and wait for iCLM to do it’s damage
• Close iTunes and copy the Apple Music (not the backup) iTunes Library.itl & Library.xml files from Desktop/Apple Music to your User: Music: iTunes folder (replace)
• The following 4 steps must be done quickly before iCML does damage
• Open iTunes, go to User: Music: iTunes folder
• Highlight and right click: Get Info on your Library.itl & Library.xml files
• Change Read & Write Privilege on both to Read only
• Check the Locked check box
• Wait for iCML to do it’s damage (strange that you see it in iTunes but it doesn’t/can’t change files)
• Close iTunes and reopen
• Change back to Read & Write Privilege on both
• Uncheck the Locked check box

It seems that iCML ‘thinks’ it made the changes but since the files were locked the changes didn’t stick. iCML now seems content with the changes it ‘didn’t ‘ actually make.

It's been a couple years now... did iCML figure out it hadn't destroyed your metadata yet?