Music in BigSur saves music files in default location instead of external HD

[yymca6]

When I switched to Catalina then Big Sur, my music library (from iTunes) was clearly recognized and its location in Music Preferences is OK.

A few days ago Music decided to add new music to its default location (Music folder on local HD).

Since my library is quite extensive (close to 2 TB) how can I correct the situation and make sure new music added goes in the external HD library?

 

[artfossil]

When I switched to Catalina then Big Sur, my music library (from iTunes) was clearly recognized and its location in Music Preferences is OK.

A few days ago Music decided to add new music to its default location (Music folder on local HD).

Since my library is quite extensive (close to 2 TB) how can I correct the situation and make sure new music added goes in the external HD library?

Did you change the Music Media folder location in Music<Preferences<Files? And is "Copy files to Music Media folder" when adding to library is checked? And is your external drive connected?

(I've had no problems with my external drive "iTunes Media" folder in Big Sur.)

 

[yymca6]

I just happened to see that the location was changed to the default location and I did not make the change.
And "Copy files to Music Media folder" when adding to library is checked already.
Since I have a big library I am kinda scared to bring back the location to the external HD.

One thing I did for precaution, I copied the newly added files from Music (on local HD) to the relevant folders in the iTunes Library on the external HD.

I am afraid that if I change the location everything will be doubled...

 

[artfossil]

I just happened to see that the location was changed to the default location and I did not make the change.
And "Copy files to Music Media folder" when adding to library is checked already.
Since I have a big library I am kinda scared to bring back the location to the external HD.

One thing I did for precaution, I copied the newly added files from Music (on local HD) to the relevant folders in the iTunes Library on the external HD.

I am afraid that if I change the location everything will be doubled...

FWIW I have sometimes had iTunes revert to the default internal drive library when my external drive was not connected and I downloaded some music. I’d always know because songs in my Library would not be found.

But if you want Music to access your 2TB external library you will have to designate that external drive media folder in Music preferences. I’ve never experienced any issues correcting the media folder location.

And if you have a backup of your library folder then if things go awry you can just change the Music location to your backup drive and then duplicate that drive as your new backup of your “unspoiled” library folder. If you don’t have a backup you should make one before going further!

Finally, if you want to keep your Library organized, you should import those files from your internal drive using Music. Adding them manually won’t get them properly indexed.

But, I’m no iTunes/Music expert—just someone who’s had my library on an external drive for a long long time.

(And these days I just access my playlists from my Music subscription on my iOS devices and rarely touch Music on my desktop computer.)

Perhaps someone else will weigh in.

 

[yymca6]

When adding music I always do it using the "Import" function in Music or through an app that converts FLAC files to AAC lossless files.
This said, I copied all newly music added that went "the wrong place" also in my iTunes Music folder on my external HD. Then 1 updated my iTunes backup (I do it every second week anyway considering the size of the library and its importance to me).
I will now change the location to the external drive and see what happens.
I will check if the newly added files will be referred to their "new" location (i.e. the external drive). If not should I re-import them in Music?
Thanks for your support.

 

[yymca6]

I made the change and everything seems to be working.
One thing though, the newly added files are still referred to as being on the local HD, not the external HD.
Should I re-import all of them to make sure they are at the right place and then delete them from my internal HD?
The localized files add up 125 Gb to my drive....

 

[artfossil]

I made the change and everything seems to be working.
One thing though, the newly added files are still referred to as being on the local HD, not the external HD.
Should I re-import all of them to make sure they are at the right place and then delete them from my internal HD?
The localized files add up 125 Gb to my drive....

Yes, you should reimport the music files that are on your internal HD.

I'm glad everything is working now!

 

[yymca6]

Thanks for your help.

I did the re-import process successfully. Quite tedious though as I had to be sure all the files in the local Music folder were copied elsewhere, then in the Music app delete all these albums and re-import them.
And I also updated my iTunes Music backup external HD.
Just hope that everything should be OK for the future.

 

[posguy99]

Put the library file in the same folder as the media on the external drive. I maintain the same folder structure there as on the internal for convenience.
Lock the copy the OS insists on putting on the local drive. There has to be one there, even if it's empty, otherwise this won't work.
Launch Music.
Music will whine about not being able to open the library... Music tries to write to it, and it can't.
Music will then ask you for another library to open.
Open the library on the external drive.

And rejoice. This trick has worked since Sierra.

Every once in a while, Music will try to revert to the internal library. It can't, it'll pop the whine again about not being able to open the library, and then you can tell it to open the one on the external again. The usual trigger is Music launching when you log in, and the external not being mounted yet. So it silently fails.

It's a PITA, but the important thing is to make sure it can't ever import media onto the internal drive.

 

[yymca6]

Let me understand what you mean about the Music Library file.

There is one in the local drive Media folder and it should be the right one since it is dated today at 2PM, exactly when I added a new record earlier on.

You want me to MOVE that file to the iTunes Music folder on my external drive and then relaunch the Music app to see if it whines about the library?

It is the "Lock the copy the OS insists on putting on the local drive" I am not sure understanding. The Library file should locked on the external drive or non the local drive?

 

[artfossil]

Let me understand what you mean about the Music Library file.

There is one in the local drive Media folder and it should be the right one since it is dated today at 2PM, exactly when I added a new record earlier on.

You want me to MOVE that file to the iTunes Music folder on my external drive and then relaunch the Music app to see if it whines about the library?

It is the "Lock the copy the OS insists on putting on the local drive" I am not sure understanding. The Library file should locked on the external drive or non the local drive?

Just focus on your Music Media folder on your external drive and make sure Music points to the correct folder. (You're pointing to the correct media folder, not moving folders.) If the music on your external drive appears and plays when you launch Music and new music you add to your library goes to the media folder on your external drive you're OK.

Don't mess around with your Library files.

Because I was using iTunes when I set up my external drive, my Music Media folder was and still is named iTunes Media. (See screenshot of Music<Preferences<Files).

 

[yymca6]

Just focus on your Music Media folder on your external drive and make sure Music points to the correct folder. (You're pointing to the correct media folder, not moving folders.) If the music on your external drive appears and plays when you launch Music and new music you add to your library goes to the media folder on your external drive you're OK.

Don't mess around with your Library files.

Because I was using iTunes when I set up my external drive, my Music Media folder was and still is named iTunes Media. (See screenshot of Music<Preferences<Files).
View attachment 1746091

OK the only difference is that the "Keep Music Media folder organized" is not checked. Should I check it to prevent any further mixups?

 

[artfossil]

OK the only difference is that the "Keep Music Media folder organized" is not checked. Should I check it to prevent any further mixups?

Yes. And when you add new music, use the Music<Import process and navigate to the files you want to add. Don't just drag and drop onto your external drive.

 

[yymca6]

Yes. And when you add new music, use the Music<Import process and navigate to the files you want to add. Don't just drag and drop onto your external drive.

OK. As said earlier I either add using the "Import" function in Music or if I have to convert FLAC files in Apple Lossless the app adds the files automatically to Music.

 

[yymca6]

Yes. And when you add new music, use the Music<Import process and navigate to the files you want to add. Don't just drag and drop onto your external drive.

I just checked the box and Music is organizing the music folders now (but they were already in folders...)

 

[posguy99]

Let me understand what you mean about the Music Library file.

There is one in the local drive Media folder and it should be the right one since it is dated today at 2PM, exactly when I added a new record earlier on.

You want me to MOVE that file to the iTunes Music folder on my external drive and then relaunch the Music app to see if it whines about the library?

It is the "Lock the copy the OS insists on putting on the local drive" I am not sure understanding. The Library file should locked on the external drive or non the local drive?

If you just move it, and don't leave it in the original location, Music will just create a blank one.

You won't have lost anything, because you have the original file. But you will think you have.

What you want to do is stop Music from writing to the library file on the internal disk. If it can't, it will whine about it and you can redirect it to the correct library file.

The other poster down-thread isn't realizing you're trying to address Music changing the import location back to the internal drive on its own. Admittedly, if you remember to check that every single time you import something, you probably don't have a problem. Up to you.

 

[artfossil]

Oh I realize that. As I noted, I experienced iTunes redirecting to the default file when my external drive was disconnected. I developed the habit of checking preferences before I imported any files.

 

[yymca6]

If you just move it, and don't leave it in the original location, Music will just create a blank one.

You won't have lost anything, because you have the original file. But you will think you have.

What you want to do is stop Music from writing to the library file on the internal disk. If it can't, it will whine about it and you can redirect it to the correct library file.

The other poster down-thread isn't realizing you're trying to address Music changing the import location back to the internal drive on its own. Admittedly, if you remember to check that every single time you import something, you probably don't have a problem. Up to you.

Hi,

After 32 hours of Music organizing my music on my external drive, I am now ready to MOVE the Music Library file to the following location:
"external drive"/iTunes/
i.e. the parent folder of the subfolder "external drive"/iTunes/iTunes Music where my music is.
Once the Music Library file moved, I will restart the Music app.
The app will ask me where the Music Library file is.
I'll point to the one in the external drive and voila.
Am I Right?
This way, in the future, I should not encounter any problem.
Nonetheless I should (always?) check the Preferences to make sure the added music will go to the right spot.
Thanks for your help.