How to Reset iTunes Library on Mac?

Karolina Peistariene

(updated)

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2 Ways You Can Reset iTunes Library on Mac

iTunes is a great software to store your favorite songs, create playlists that suit your mood, follow your favorite artist, and more. But if you're using iTunes for a long time, you might have accumulated many old songs, duplicates, and playlists that you don't listen to anymore.

2 Ways You Can Reset iTunes Library on Mac

You want to start fresh, and instead of deleting files by individually selecting each item, it's easier to delete everything at once and start fresh. To reset the iTunes library, follow the steps below.

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Manually Clear iTunes Library

Suppose you don't have thousands of songs in your library. In that case, you may like the idea of manually removing unwanted files from your library.

1. Press Command + Space keys on your keyboard to open Spotlight.
2. In the search bar, type in "iTunes" and press "Enter" to open the app.

Open iTunes

3. Select the Media Type you want to edit (music, audiobooks, etc.).
4. Select one song and then press Command + A keys on your keyboard to select all items within a folder.

Select all songs from Library

5. When everything is selected, press the Delete key.
6. In the pop-up window, click on "Delete Songs."

Delete selected songs in Library

This method only deletes items from the list. It doesn't delete the actual music files.

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Reset iTunes Library

This method will clear your iTunes library and reset iTunes to a default state. All playlists, library lists, ratings, and apps will be deleted. However, music files should still be on your hard drive.

1. Quit iTunes.

Quit iTunes

2. Launch Finder.
3. In the upper menu bar, click on "Go" and go to "Home."

click-on-go-and-home

4. Go to the "Music" folder and find the folder "iTunes." Alternatively, you can access the iTunes folder by clicking on "Music" in the left sidebar in the Finder window.
5. Find two files: iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml

Delete iTunes files to clear Library

6. Delete both files from the iTunes folder.

Now you can open iTunes and create a new music library. If you see iCloud trying to import your iTunes files, click on the X mark.

Cancel iCloud file import

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Karolina Peistariene

Karolina Peistariene

Author of how-to guides for Mac users

Responsible for collecting, analyzing, and presenting problem-solving solution articles related to macOS issues. Years of macOS experience combined with solid research and analyzing skills help Karolina provide readers with working and helpful solutions as well as introduce various features Mac has to offer.

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