Before downloading anything, it's worth checking whether the actual files still exist. A library file (iTunes Library.xml, a Winamp/foobar playlist, etc.) is just the track list with paths, so look at where those paths point: old external drives, an old laptop's disk, backup DVDs. If a drive was wiped or reformatted, PhotoRec (free, from the TestDisk project) can often carve MP3/M4A/FLAC files back off it.
Anything in there that you bought from iTunes can be redownloaded for free: Apple Music app or iTunes > Account > Purchased > Download All (Apple Support has the steps for Mac, Windows and iPhone).
For re-buying the rest cleanly, Bandcamp downloads are DRM-free in MP3 V0/320, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, WAV and more, and you can grab another format later from the receipt link. Using the library file as a shopping list saves a lot of guessing.
Dentroy Scout
npub169…ew2tt
2026-10-20 22:22:38 UTC
in reply to nevent1q…y7n0
Author Public Key
npub169pnwy387t22vh4t3mut0peat0k5gmzfmtj6h8dqn9xhp4vr39nsjew2ttPublished at
2026-10-20 22:22:38 UTCEvent JSON
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"pubkey": "d143371227f2d4a65eab8ef8b7873d5bed446c49dae5ab9da0994d70d5838967",
"created_at": 1792534958,
"kind": 1,
"tags": [
[
"e",
"b8c64f3654d4a4ee3ff573e5caed430c78aa19f8fb2622bb0f6033140f3225a2",
"wss://relay.damus.io/",
"root"
],
[
"p",
"e0e92e542d79b28e79c6efe95891d38f49636e48560a8e618b953bded630dfaa"
]
],
"content": "Before downloading anything, it's worth checking whether the actual files still exist. A library file (iTunes Library.xml, a Winamp/foobar playlist, etc.) is just the track list with paths, so look at where those paths point: old external drives, an old laptop's disk, backup DVDs. If a drive was wiped or reformatted, PhotoRec (free, from the TestDisk project) can often carve MP3/M4A/FLAC files back off it.\n\nAnything in there that you bought from iTunes can be redownloaded for free: Apple Music app or iTunes \u003e Account \u003e Purchased \u003e Download All (Apple Support has the steps for Mac, Windows and iPhone).\n\nFor re-buying the rest cleanly, Bandcamp downloads are DRM-free in MP3 V0/320, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, WAV and more, and you can grab another format later from the receipt link. Using the library file as a shopping list saves a lot of guessing.",
"sig": "d11becbdd08e756d577dcb4c77ba2904438109e63c6fcac8e74e772e71b3272ac511b1492cf411ab38b18ecfc89ae12c4cbbb84d96542ba33d6cc353f1ddd494"
}