HT1203 Problems sharing iTunes library across multiple accounts on one imac

I have followed the Mac OS instructions in this article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 to share music accounts on the family iMac. When I go to connect to this library the I cannot see the actual ITunes Media folder but the following file path: ~/Public/Automatically Add to iTunes.localized. Selecting this folder does not appear to make the library available.
Has anyone had this problem?

You'll likely get better assistance in the iTunes for Mac forum instead of the iTunes for Windows forum where you've posted.

Similar Messages

  • Problems sharing iTunes library across multiple accounts on one imac

    I have followed the Mac OS instructions in this article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 to share music accounts on the family iMac by putting the iTunes Media folder in a public directory. When I go to connect to this library the I cannot see the actual iTunes Media folder but the following file path is available: ~/Public/Automatically Add to iTunes.localized. Selecting this folder does not appear to make the library available.
    Has anyone had this problem?

    iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189
    Chris CA's instructions on sharing one iTunes music library between multiple user accounts - https://discussions.apple.com/message/8974074 - Multiple users using a single library file - similar post at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3753008

  • Sharing one iTunes library across multiple accounts on the same Mac

    Hello, I've poked around at some of the posts dealing with sharing one iTunes music library across multiple accounts on the same Mac but it seems like this can only be done if the libary is moved to a shared folder. I realize this can be done but I was trying to share it the way it is described in a post on Apple support (See link below.). That post seemed to imply that you don't have to move the library from its original location (owned by account A, e.g.), rather just make a couple preference changes in the accounts, use fast user switching and voila. That doesn't seem to work. So my question is this: Is the only way to share one iTunes music library across multiple accounts on the same Mac to move it to a shared folder? I'm running 10.4.8 on an Intel iMac. Thanks in advance!
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195

    After reading this and several other related threads, I am becoming thoroughly confused about all of this. I have a situation similar to the one that pokerpal described in the post dated January 7 at 8:06 pm, except that the music files on my system are located on an external hard drive. Everything else is pretty much the same though - I am the admin user (and the main iTunes user and maintainer) and my girlfriend is a standard user who has no music in her own iTunes library. She can see and listen to and make playlists from and sync her iPod with the music in this library from her account, and I can do the same thing, independent of her, from my account. And if I make a change to information within a song, she doesn't see it, and vice versa, and I understand that. What I don't understand is why when I add a song or an album to the music files by importing a CD or downloading something from the iTunes Music Store, she has no way of knowing that unless I tell her, and then she can add it to her library by using the "Add to Library" function. Is there no way of automatically updating her library files to add the new song(s)? We have almost 15,000 songs and videos in that library, and I don't even want to think about what might have to happen if the answer to my question is "no." Interestingly enough, if I put an update to a Word document in the same exact location (on the hard drive), we can update that and pass it back and forth all day - why is that such a difficult task for iTunes to accomplish?
    Sorry I went on so long, but this has been building up for some time, and none of the solutions I've read about here have really been of any help, so I'm a bit frustrated and, as I said at the beginning, confused.
    iMac G5, MacBook   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

  • Question/Problem Sharing iTunes Library between multiple users

    Hello all,
    I have a question (potential problem) regarding sharing an iTunes Library between multiple users.
    In the past, I had placed the iTunes folder in /Users/Shared, and created an alias to it in the "Music" folder of each user, and it worked fine.  However, with a recent upgrade to Mac OS 10.5, only the Home user account can access the library. 
    I read the Apple Support Document http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203 uner Mac OS X which specifically states *not* to move the iTunes folder, just the iTunes Media folder (which I don't have, would that be iTunes Music?).
    Any recommendations?  Should I delete the different alias, move the iTunes folder back to the home user, and then follow the instructions in the support document?
    We're also looking to sync music purchsed on our iPod touches, as well as apps (which weren't supported in our privous Mac OS X version.
    Any advice is appreiciated.

    David Guay wrote:
    ... iTunes Media folder (which I don't have, would that be iTunes Music?).
    yes.
    specifically states *not* to move the iTunes folder
    *do* keep the entire iTunes folder in /users/shared, however, instead of creating aliases, launch iTunes while holding the option (⌥) key, click choose library when prompted, and select the iTunes folder in /users/shared.
    obviously, only one iTunes at a time can access the library !

  • Sharing an iTunes library between multiple accounts on one machine

    I have tried to set up a shared library so that all users on my computer can access the same music. I have tried moving my iTunes folder to the HD under Users, Shared and setting the filepath in the Preferences, Advanced, General to point to that location. It works fine with the main admin account but other users have an empty library despite their paths being altered also.
    Any advice would be much appreciated.

    It's a misunderstanding that setting the 'iTunes Music folder location' tells iTunes to look at that location.
    The iTunes Music folder location is the location where your next imported CD is stored. The song locations however are stored inside the 'iTunes Library' file which is in ./Users/YourUsername/Music/iTunes.
    Moving the music folder to another location without 'telling' iTunes normally will lead to loss of links. You will see exclamation marks before the song name, telling that iTunes can't find the files.
    Recent versions of iTunes can track a moved folder, when it's moved on the same disk.
    The other users will not see this music. You have to copy the 'iTunes Library' file and put it in the iTunes folder of the other user(s).
    --edit
    Instead of copying the 'iTunes Library' file, you can add the entire music folder to each users library.
    This will enable every user to apply their own rating (which is not stored in the song file, but in the 'iTunes Library' file).
    --end of edit
    They will then have full access to the library, which means, every user can add and delete music from the shared library.
    The methods of sharing music are described here:
    iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
    Hope this helps.
    M
    Message was edited by: macmenno

  • Sharing iTunes library across four User IDs on iMac desktop

    I set up three new user names on my Mac desktop to use separate parental controls for my three daughters.  Although I shared my iTunes library, only a portion of my 1,300  songs appear in their itunes libraries. (Different number for each of my three daughters, and different songs!)  Why might this be and how can I ensure that all of the songs in my library appear in theirs?
    Thanks

    You can copy the desired library to the shared folder.
    You then need to go to each iTunes app. in the various users and change the iTunes music folder location.
    Macintosh-HD:Users:shared:iTunes

  • Problems sharing iPhoto library across multiple users

    This discussion here:
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1690063?start=0&tstart=0
    describes my problem exactly. Unfortunately, the solution presented there doesn't work. I've tried everything I can think of, does anyone have any ideas on how to solve this? I'm on Lion now.

    Thanks for the reply. I do have an external drive but I'd rather not do that for a couple of reasons. (Please let me know if either of these are unfounded)
    1. It's essential that I have a good backup solution for my photos. They're probably the most important data I have. My external drive has two partitions and one of them is for Time Machine. If I put the iPhoto library on the other partition, it will still be on the same physical drive and if it fails, I'll lose both the iPhoto library and its backup on Time Machine! I do have Backblaze too but I'm not sure whether it works with external drives - need to check that.
    2. The second partition on the external drive is FAT 32 so that other windows devices in our house can use it. If I reformat to OS X Extended, I believe that will be a problem. Correct me if I'm wrong.
    I could buy another drive but I'd rather not splash out the cash if I don't have to. Apple's instructions here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198 are old and need to be updated for Lion but it should work, right?

  • ITunes:  How can multiple accounts on one iMac share a single iTunes library?

    I have a single iMac with multiple user accounts.  How can I share a single itunes music library with all users?
    Thanks for your input!!

    how to share music between different accounts on a single computer

  • Sharing an iTunes Library across multiple user account and a network.

    Sharing an iTunes Music Library across multiple user accounts.
    Hello Everybody!
    Firstly, this was designed to be run in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. It will not work with earlier versions of Mac OS X! Sorry.
    Here's a handy tip for keeping your hard drive neat and tidy, it also saves space, what in effect will be done is an iTunes music library will be shared amongst multiple users on the same machine. There are advantages and disadvantages to using this method.
    • Firstly I think it might be worthwhile to state the advantages and disadvantages to using this approach.
    The advantages include:
    - Space will be saved, as no duplicate files will occur.
    - The administrator will be able to have complete control over the content of the iTunes library, this may be useful for restricting the content of the Library; particularly for example if computer is being used at and education institution, business or any other sort of institution where things such as explicit content would be less favorable.
    - The machine will not be slowed by the fact that every user has lots of files.
    The disadvantages to this system include.
    - The fact that the account storing the music will have to be logged in, and iTunes will have to be active in that account.
    - If the account housing the music is not active then nobody can use the iTunes library.
    - There is a certain degree of risk present when an administrator account must be continually active.
    - Fast User Switching must be enabled.
    Overview:
    A central account controls all music on the machine/network, this is achieved by storing iTunes files in a public location as opposed to in the user's directory. In effect the system will give all users across the machine/network access to the same music/files without the possibility of files 'doubling up' because two different users like the same types of music. This approach saves valuable disk space in this regard and may therefore prove to be useful in some situations.
    This is a hearty process to undertake, so only follow this tutorial if you're willing to go all the way to the end of it.
    Process:
    Step 1:
    Firstly, we need to organize the host library, I tidied mine up, removing excess playlists, random files, things like that. this will make thing a bit easier in the later stages of this process.
    Once the library is tidied up, move the entire "iTunes" folder from your Home directory to the "//localhost" directory (The Macintosh HD) and ensure that files are on the same level as the "Applications", "Users", "Library" and "System" directories; this will ensure that the files in the library are available to all users on the machine (this also works for networks)
    Optionally you can set the ownership of the folder to the 'administrator' account (the user who will be hosting the library.), you may also like to set the permissions of 'you can' to "Read & Write" (assuming that you are doing this through the user who will host the library); secondly you should set the "Owner" to the administrator who will be hosting the library and set their "access" to "Read & Write" (this will ensure that the administrator has full access to the folder). The final part of this step involves setting access for the "Others" tab to "Read Only" this will ensure that the other users can view but not modify the contents on the folder.
    Overview:
    So far we have done the following steps:
    1. Organized the host library.
    2. Placed the iTunes directory into a 'public' directory so that other users may use it. (this step is essential if you plan on sharing the library across multiple accounts on the same machine. NOTE: this step is only necessary if you are wanting to share you library across multiple accounts on the same machine, if you simply want to share the music across a network, use the iTunes sharing facility.
    3. set ownership and permissions for the iTunes music folder.
    Step 2:
    Currently the administrator is the only user who can use this library, however we will address this soon. In this step we will enable iTunes music sharing in the administrator's account, this will enable other users to access the files in the library.
    If you are not logged in as the administrator, do so; secondly, open iTunes and select "Preferences" from the "iTunes" menu, now click the "Sharing" tab, if "share my library on my local network" is not checked, the radio buttons below this will now become active, you may choose to share the entire libraries contents, or share only selected content.
    Sharing only selected content may be useful if their is explicit content in the library and minors use the network or machine that the library is connected to.
    If you have selected "share entire library" go to Step 3, if you have selected share "share selected playlists" read on.
    After clicking "share selected playlists" you must then select the playlists that you intend to share across your accounts and network. Once you have finished selecting the playlists, click "OK" to save the settings.
    Overview:
    In this step we:
    1. Enabled iTunes sharing in the administrator's account, now, users on the local network may access the iTunes library, however, users on the same machine may not.
    Step 3:
    Now we will enable users on the same machine to access the library on the machine. This is achieved by logging in as each user, opening iTunes, opening iTunes preferences, and clicking "look for shared music". now all users on the machine may also access the library that the administrator controls.
    This in effect will mean that the user will not need to use their user library, it will be provided to them via a pseudo network connection.
    As a secondary measure, I have chosen to write a generic login script that will move any content from the user's "Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" directory to the trash and then empties the user's trash.
    This is done through the use of an Automator Application: this application does the following actions.
    1. Uses the "Finder" action "Get Specified Finder Items"
    1a. The user's "~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" folder
    2. Uses the "Finder" action "Get Folder Contents"
    3. Uses the "Finder" action "Move to Trash"
    4. Uses the "Automator" action "Run AppleScript"
    4a. with the following:
    on run {input, parameters}
    tell application "Finder"
    empty trash
    end tell
    return input
    end run
    IMPORTANT: Once the script is adapted to the user account it must be set as a login item. in order to keep the script out of the way i have placed it in the user's "Library" directory, in "Application Support" under "iTunes".
    Overview:
    Here we:
    1. Enabled iTunes sharing in the user accounts on the host machine, in effect allowing all users of the machine to view a single iTunes library.
    2. (Optional) I have created a login application that will remove any content that has been added to user iTunes libraries, this in effect stops other users of the machine from adding music and files to iTunes.
    Step 4:
    If it is not already enabled, open system preferences and enable Fast User Switching in Accounts Options.
    Summary:
    We have shared a single iTunes library across multiple user account, while still allowing for network sharing. This method is designed to save space on machines, particularly those with smaller hard drives.
    I hope that this hint proves to be helpful and I hope everybody will give me feedback on my process.
    regards,
    Pete.
    iBook G4; 60GB Hard Drive, 512MB RAM, Airport Extreme   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   iWork & iLife '06, Adobe CS2, Final Cut Pro. Anything and Everything!!!

    how to share music between different accounts on a single computer

  • Sharing itunes library across accounts on the same IMac

    How do you share your ITunes library with other accounts on the same IMac? There's clear advice how to share it with other networked computers, but how do you do it across accounts on the same IMac?

    You can copy the desired library to the shared folder.
    You then need to go to each iTunes app. in the various users and change the iTunes music folder location.
    Macintosh-HD:Users:shared:iTunes

  • Sharing iTunes library across computers

    Step 5 of the Help file says "select 'Automatically import new purchases from [Computer Name].'" Where is that selection found?

    Thanks for the suggestion. I'd be happy to elaborate. In iTunes Help, enter "home sharing" as the search term, and select the top topic, "Sharing your iTunes library across computers." The five items are under the heading, "To import items from other libraries using Home Sharing."
    I have gone over the steps again and found my problem. I was signed onto the Store under different names (different Mobile Me email address, both mine) on the two computers. I switched to the same name, then turned Home Sharing off and then on on both computers. When each opened the other's library, the other library window has a Settings button in the lower right hand window. That button produces a pane with setting for automatic transfer.
    The Help file could be improved. Or iTunes could recognize multiple email addresses for one Mobile Me account. Thanks again.

  • Sharing iTunes Match across multiple devices

    Hi All,
    I have done some searching but I can’t find the answer to my question(s).
    Current setup:
    I have 1 PC and 2  Macbooks (my PC and my children have a Macbook each). Each PC/Mac has its own iTunes Library which is linked by my homeshare account. We share most of the music we buy across our libraries via homeshare
    We also have 3 iPhone 4’s mine and the children’s. Each iPhone 4 is linked to its own iTunes library on the respective devices and we have 3 separate iTunes accounts.
    I have just signed up for iTunes music Match on my PC/iTunes Account and want to know what the deal is regarding setting up my kids iPhones so that they are also linked to my Music Match account and how that can be done. I  also want them to be able keep their own iTunes account so that they can still buy music and apps and download them to their phone and synch to their Macbook iTunes libraries.
    Is this possible?
    In summary  - I don’t want to pay for 3 iTunes  Match accounts but want my kids to be able to take advantage (synch to thier iPhones) of the music that is now in the cloud via my music match account whilst keeping their own iTunes accounts.
    Hope this is clear and that someone can help…
    Cheers
    M

    what makes it tricky is the individual itunes accounts for apps. 
    regarding music, my recommendation is to put each computer on the same itunes account (keep the files, but link the computers to the same account)  when you activate match on each computer, the software will add the files from each respective computer and will create a master library (each computer will be able to see ALL files from all three computers.  Then, I would put each iphone on the same itunes account (everyone share the same account). 
    as for apps:
    I'm thinking I am reading right that the three iphones are linked to separate computers.  I am pretty sure that an itunes account on a laptop or desktop can be "authorized" by multiple accounts.  One beauty of itunes 10.5 is the ability to sync an iphone on one computer for "photos" and use the same iphone to sync to another computer for "apps" and another computer for "podcasts" etc (if anyone had any use for doing such a thing).  What I believe this would allow someone in your situation to do, is to essentially be able to log each child's iphone into one itunes account for itunes match, but then use each individual computer to still sync the children's different app accounts.  One child can sync to one computer for their apps and another child to another computer for their apps, etc.  The difference, however, is i'm pretty sure there is no getting around what to do about future bought apps.  they might all have to be bought on one account.  If that is truely the case, you may not be able to do separate itunes accounts.  In such a scenario, i would add everything to the itunes account that has the most apps, and begin shareing apps among them in order to share itunes match

  • Sharing iTunes library between two accounts on a single iMac

    My wife and I are using the same iMac but through 2 separate accounts, which is quite neat to separate files, preferences, etc.
    We have 'ripped' our home CD collection into the iTunes library of my account, and I am now looking for a way for my wife to belisten to the same music on the same computer from her own account.
    I have tried the 'Share' functionality in iTunes, but this seems to open access to the library to other iMacs on the networkd, which we don't need.
    Any pointers?
    tx,
    AH
    PS Same request for iPhoto, question posted there

    This should help:
    iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
    Note that when it says "publicly accessible location", it needs to be a place where everyone has read and write access. The most common such place is the Shared folder in the Users folder.

  • Sharing an iTunes library across multiple computers

    I tried Home Share but it did not do what i expected.  In addition to doing Home Share, the files need to be copied to each computer apparently. 
    Is it permitted to have the iTunes Library be located on a shared disc (such as one attached to an AirPort Express)?  So that one copy of the library would be used by all copies of iTunes running in the house?
    I am confused because different products seem to work differently.  If I set up my iMac and my Mac Book with Home Share, each of htem needs a copy of the library in its own disk space.  But if I set up Apple TV to use Home Share, it plays my videos from the hard drive of my iMac.  Yes both describe Home Share as the same concept. 
    So far it appears that MacBook and iMac do not share libraries in the sense of using a single copy on disk.
    What about iPhone and iPad?  Do they read the library from the home sharing computer or do the media files need to be downloaded ahead of time to the iOS device?
    What am I missing here?
    Thanks,
    Bruce

    Not really. Each computer will have a separate library within iTunes. They can be set to use the same file storage location but I have no idea how to do that with a Mac.

  • Sharing iTunes library across accounts on same computer

    Hi
    I have just bought my first Mac. I have set up an account for me and an account for my wife but I'm wondering if it is possible for us to share the same iTunes library rather than having a lot of duplicate music. Can this be done?
    Thanks in advance
    Graeme

    Oh yes, welcome to Apple, and the Apple forums,
    I hope you enjoy your new iMac,
    Well, the bad news is I don't think that will work, when I tried it one my computer, one User couldnt access the other's Music folder. However, I do think you could make your iTunes Music Folder be a folder in the Public folder for your account, which would allow anyone on your computer, or on your network, to use it.
    To change the location of your music folder to a folder in your Public folder, follow these steps:
    -Go to your Music folder (Users-Username-Music)
    -Copy the folder called "iTunes"
    -Go to that User's Public folder (User-Username-Public)
    -Paste your iTunes folder here (depending on the size of the folder, this may take a while)
    -In iTunes, go to: iTunes-Preferences-Advanced, and look at the "iTunes Music Folder Location"
    -Click the word "Change..." next to it, and choose the new folder (the one you made in the Public folder)( you only have to do this on the account that alread has the music if you want to delete the orignal music folder to save space otherwise leave it as the one in the Music folder for this account)
    -Do this for the other account on your Computer, by selecting the same folder in the first user's Public Folder as the new Music Folder.
    -Select "Consolidate Library..." from the Advanced menu (not the Advanced menu n Preferences, the one on the bear at the top of the Monitor), this will copy the music from the folder into that iTunes Library.
    I sure hope no one else posted an answer while I wrote this, hope it helps.
    Edit: I will test this as well.

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