How to Recover Files Missing in iTunes After Cloning External Hard Drive

What causes files missing in iTunes after cloning external hard drive?

Many iTunes users store their music, movies, and other media files on external hard drives. This helps to free up space on their primary device, keeping everything organized while still maintaining access to their vast media collection. When you clone your external hard drive, you're essentially copying everything, but sometimes, iTunes can lose track of where those files are located.

So, why does this happen? Here are some common reasons:

◈ File path changes: iTunes is very particular about the file paths to its media. If the path changes when cloning, iTunes might not find the files.

◈ Drive letter assignment issues (on Windows): If the cloned drive gets a different letter than the original, iTunes might not be able to locate the files.

Permissions problems: The cloned drive might have different access permissions than the original, making it difficult for iTunes to access the files.

How to recover files missing in iTunes after cloning external hard drive

Now, let’s walk through some practical steps you can take to get your files back.

Step 1. The first step is to check if iTunes is still pointing to the correct location of your media files. Go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced and ensure the library is set to the right location on your cloned drive.

Step 2. Sometimes the issue could simply be a disconnected drive. Double-check that the cloned external hard drive is properly connected to your computer. If using a USB hub, try connecting the drive directly to your computer instead.

Step 3. If the location is correct and the drive is connected, try rebuilding the iTunes library. You can do this by holding down the Shift key while opening iTunes and selecting the Choose Library option. Navigate to the new location of your iTunes library on the cloned drive.

Step 4. To make sure all your files are in one place, use iTunes' Consolidate Files feature. This will copy all media files into the iTunes Media folder, ensuring iTunes can find them even if the paths were altered during cloning.

Step 5. If you’ve made regular backups of your iTunes library, now’s the time to restore any missing files. Go to File > Library > Import Playlist, and restore your media from the backup.

When important files mysteriously vanish from iTunes after cloning an external hard drive, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. Fortunately, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery offers a reliable solution. This versatile disk management software provides a powerful set of tools for recovering lost files, including those missing from iTunes. Its user-friendly interface, combined with advanced recovery features, makes it an excellent choice for rescuing lost data.

With AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can easily access the "File Recovery" to scan for lost or deleted partitions where your iTunes files may be stored. Whether your files disappeared due to incorrect cloning settings, file system errors, or accidental deletion, AOMEI Partition Assistant efficiently identifies and restores them. This ensures that your valuable iTunes library, playlists, and media files are back in their rightful place without hassle.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool starts to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.

FAQs

1. How do I restore missing iTunes music files?

You can restore missing files by using iTunes' "Consolidate Files" feature or by importing them from a backup.

2. Can cloning an external hard drive cause data corruption in iTunes?

Cloning itself typically doesn't cause corruption, but if file paths change, iTunes might not be able to locate your media files.

3. What’s the difference between cloning and copying files?

Cloning creates an exact replica of your hard drive, including system files, while copying just transfers the data without copying the file structure and system info.

4. How can I back up my iTunes library to avoid future issues?

You can back up your iTunes library by copying the iTunes Media folder to an external drive or by using cloud storage services.

5. Why does iTunes lose track of files after a hard drive clone?

iTunes relies on specific file paths to locate your media. If these paths change during cloning, iTunes may lose access to the files.

Conclusion

Cloning an external hard drive can sometimes lead to missing iTunes files due to changes in file paths, drive letters, or access permissions. However, with the troubleshooting steps and preventive tips we’ve shared, you should be able to recover your lost media and avoid these issues in the future. Keep your iTunes library properly backed up, and make sure to check the file paths whenever you perform such actions.