The only way to ensure your library is protected is to have a local copy. In fact, even iTunes in the cloud is not a backup service. It doesn’t create a backup of media files.
When you export iTunes library it saves your playlists and organizational information. If you’re wondering “where is iTunes backup stored?” the answer is a stunning nowhere. Many people think that iTunes automatically backs up or that by exporting their library they are creating a backup.
Saving your music and media regularly to an external hard drive is a great habit, and a fail-proof way to ensure your collection isn’t lost as you migrate your media to Apple Music, Apple TV, or other platforms. Keeping this in mind, there has never been a better reason to create a backup iTunes library. This all to say that besides the money and time you put into your collections, overlooking the safety of your iTunes library could set you up for a heartbreak.īesides the ever-present risk of a hardware crash, Apple’s iTunes is actually being phased out in the fall of 2019 with the release of macOS Catalina. A forgotten song drifting out of the shuffle can call back a carefree summer drive a particular playlist might remind you of a special person. Music libraries are incredibly personal, and scrolling through your tunes can create the same kind of nostalgia as looking through old photographs. Replace Mac defaults and discover new gems in one suite.
