How to Recover iTunes From Apple

After hard drive failure, you will need to restore your music library in iTunes, since the crash might have erased or partially erased your library. Your iPod or iPhone can be used along with music recovery software to recover the library, or you can simply retrieve your music by using backup discs. If iTunes is experiencing an error, you can also download a software update to attempt to fix the problem.

Things You'll Need

• iPhone or iPod
• Music recovery software
• Backup discs
• Internet connection

Instructions

Using Music Recovery Software

1. Click the "Downloads" tab on CNet.com, and type "Music Liberator" in the search field. Press the "Return" key to begin your search.

2. Click the "Music Liberator" link, and click the "Download Now" button. Drag the "Music Liberator" icon to your "Applications" folder to install it.

3. Double-click the "Music Liberator" icon in your "Applications" folder to run the program.

4. Connect your iPod or iPhone to your computer. Plug the USB cable into your device and an empty USB slot on your computer.

5. Click and hold the "Shift" key to highlight songs you wish to copy. Click the "Copy" button to begin the transfer. The program will copy only five songs at a time until you purchase a software license.

Using Backup Discs

1. Insert the backup disc into your computer's disc drive.

2. Click the "Finder" icon on the dock and click the disc icon to access the backup disc.

3. Click and hold the "Shift" key to highlight the songs you want to copy, and drag them to your "Music" folder in "Finder."

4. Right-click the highlighted area of the songs, click "Open With," and then click "iTunes" from the list. Click "OK" to open the songs.

Using a Software Update

1. Open iTunes by clicking the icon on the dock. Click "iTunes" at the top of the screen and select "Check for Updates."

2. Install the updates if there are any by following the instructions.

3. Click the "iPod + iTunes" tab on Apple.com, and click the "Download iTunes" button to reinstall the program.

References

• CNet.com: Music Liberator
• Macworld.com: Two-way Street: Moving Music Off the iPod