Apple Music How to use TM Backup without Music Library

[Julien]

Replacing my iMac with a Mac mini has raised a question about my Music Library data. I’ve ripped my CDs and have almost 1TB of data in my Music Library, which I no longer need since I’ve subscribed to Apple Music. Can I use Time Machine to restore my data to the Mac mini without using the same Music Library since I won’t need my ripped CDs? Alternatively, can I easily delete my current Music Library so that it’s no longer associated with the Music application, ensuring that the restored Time Machine backup to the new Mac mini won’t search for it?

EDIT: Music Library is on a separate HD and not included (Excluded from) in my Time Machine Backup.

 

[bob_zz123]

If your Music library is on an external drive and excluded from backups, when you restore your backup to the new computer and open the Music app it will look for that library. If it can't find it because the drive is not plugged in or whatever, it will give you the option to point to another library or create a new one on the local drive (if you want to use the Music app but just without your ripped CDs). Alternatively you can use the Apple Music web player https://music.apple.com/gb/browse?uo=4

 

[Julien]

If your Music library is on an external drive and excluded from backups, when you restore your backup to the new computer and open the Music app it will look for that library. If it can't find it because the drive is not plugged in or whatever, it will give you the option to point to another library or create a new one on the local drive (if you want to use the Music app but just without your ripped CDs). Alternatively you can use the Apple Music web player https://music.apple.com/gb/browse?uo=4

Thx,
So if I create a New Library on the new Mac mini SSD it will "start over" and not try and download all my Matched CDs (pre Apple Music) or even Apple Music songs that I had downloaded? Also while keeping all my Apple Music, Playlists and all settings consistent across all devices (just without any the downloading songs to my Mac mini)?

 

[bob_zz123]

It'll load your iCloud Music Library which will contain library data for songs you've added to your Apple Music library, playlists and matched/uploaded tracks etc. but it will not download any tracks / albums / playlists from the iCloud Music Library unless you specifically choose to download them. The library will stay in sync with other devices.