Best way to move itunes library to new macbook pro

Would like to move my library to my new macbook pro, and have both computers have the library. What do you suggest to do this task?

I have previously backed-up to disk in iTunes, authorized the new computer to play my music, and restored to it - takes all play count, ratings etc across which I wanted too. This was between PCs but sure it will work on Mac too.
Anyone who has switched from PC to Mac - can you use a backup created on a PC to restore to a Mac - I'm switching to a MacBook Pro and want to keep my music!
Thanks in advance!

Similar Messages

  • Best way to move iTunes library & media from MacBook to mini server?

    First, I searched the forums (parameter: "itunes") and didn't see this addressed.
    Second, I searched the web (using multiple parameters), and didn't find an answer on point. I saw discussions about moving the iTunes library (well, media files) to another location (but same computer) and discussion about manually copying everything (with warnings about ensuring that the volume name and path are exactly the same, or else it's totally messed up).
    That said, I currently use SL on a MacBook and I'm getting a mini with SLS. Among other things, I'd like the core of my iTunes media to be on the mini (for direct playback to my TV and for serving/sharing to my Apple TV). I'll still use iTunes on the MacBook for selected media (like books).
    My media includes both iTunes purchases and non-DRM'd media.
    Question: does SLS come with Migration Assistant and will this move my iTunes library from my MacBook (with SL) to the mini (with SLS)? I'm not interested in a migration assistant to move servers (web, email servers) or apps, or documents for that matter, as this is not a server move (some discussions online focused on this).
    If it doesn't, what's the best way to move my iTunes library and media from my "clien" machine to the server so that playlists, ratings, purchases, etc. are all intact?

    MrHoffman wrote:
    iTunes has its own private little world, and this question isn't really specific to Mac OS X Server, and the generic media-transfer discussion will likely receive better coverage over in the [iTunes forum|http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=149].
    Mac OS X Server doesn't do anything special with iTunes, and likely doesn't do anything specific with it at all; you're going to a "different" Mac, and server makes this more akin to a transfer to a new Mac, rather than the "replacement Mac" sequence seen with Mac OS X client.
    I'd be surprised if this music transfer wasn't something that could be sorted out (within the limits of the copyrights) from some FAQ over in the iTunes forum, or from some of the following support articles:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1329
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1848
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38534
    See if the folks over in the iTunes forum have something for this. (And again, server likely isn't relevant here; you're "just" going to transfer your music to a different Mac box here, and one that happens to run Mac OS X Server.
    Thanks for the links - unfortunately, none of those are on point. The reason this is unique to server, I think, is that in the case of a regular mac to mac transfer, you would use Migration Assistant, and the move is easily done. But in seems like server doesn't come with Migration Assistant.
    I suppose when I get it, I'll first try copying Migration Assistant to it, and try to run it. That will probably fail (but you never know), so my next attempt will be to have my MacBook move the media to the server (as if the server is simply network storage), and then copy over the library files. (I'm hoping that will enable the file paths to remain intact.)
    The mini server is special in that it is the most appropriate home server, and home servers should be expected to do double duty - and outright server, and desktop. So, it would be handy for Apple to include Migration Assistant with the mini server.

  • Best way to move iTunes library from network drive to NAS drive?

    Hi all,
    I need to move my iTunes library which currently lives on a Buffalo network drive to a new Synology NAS drive.
    What is the best way to move the library?
    Thanks,
    Ed

    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
    Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.

  • Transfer iTunes library to new MacBook Pro while maintaining playlists, ratings, etc.

    I just got my new MacBook Pro for college, and I need to transfer my entire iTunes library (19,000+ songs) from my dektop Mac to my new computer. I have tried a lot of people's methods concerning transfering libraries, but everytime, I lose my playlists, play counts, and ratings. I have tried a lot of methods, but none seem to work. I have tried consolidating libraries and other methods. Does anyone have any ideas of what I might be doing wrong.
    (I have a 1TB hd that houses all of the music for my iTunes library for my desktop. I am attempting to move it all to the MBP. My MBP has two partitions, one of which is for storage and music (not my Macintosh HD) which is where I am attempting to copy my library to from the 1TB drive.)
    Thanks in advance!
    CB

    Here's one way to connect two computers.  There's other ways but we have absolutely no idea what hardware you have. - How to use FireWire target disk mode - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661 - includes description of hardware and software requirements.
    As for files and folders to copy and where; Kappy has already made a list above, including showing locations.  As for how; using drag and drop in Finder will probably work, but it will depend upon how you eventually connect the computers, or use a hard drive, or a flash drive...  Currently there are too many unknowns about your system to provide a detailed list without itemizing for hundreds of different scenarios.
    By the way, feel free to start a new topic for a question. This one was really about sorting out chrisbraun5's issue.

  • Using old external hard drive as iTunes library on new macbook pro

    Recently purchased new macbook pro with 256 GB of memory.  I have an older external Passport for Mac hardrive with close to 1 TB of music.  I would like to use this external hard drive as my itunes folder.  I opened itunes on new computer, went to preferences - advanced and chose new location /Volumes/JP KAF/Itunes Media/Music and select OK but no music is available.  How do I connect my external hard drive and direct my new computer to use it as my music library.  I tried the starting itunes and holding Left shift key but that does not open an option of creating a library - Again, this is the newest macbook pro with retina screen.  Please help.

    No not do it changing preferences.  That does as it says; it just relocates media, not the whole library which is more than media.
    Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.

  • Copied my iTunes library to new MacBook Pro, why are my iPhone apps greyed out?

    Hi,
    Rather than migrate from an iMac that I sold, I decided to just start fresh on a new Macbook Pro. I did back up my iTunes library and copied it over to the new Macbook. I synced my iPhone and iPad 2 on the new Macbook but the apps are greyed out. When I click the sync apps box all but a few of the apps (I'm assuming the ones that are default with the iPhone and iPad) dissappear.
    I'd like the ability to arrange my apps with the Macbook at times and like the idea that I have a backup of all my apps on my computer. I realize I'm backing them up in iCloud, but just sayin'.
    Thanks,
    Bo

    $eth wrote:
    Do I purchase an external hard-drive and transfer? Or should I just go and get a 32 GB Flashdrive? Anyone have any tips for doing this stuff?
    assuming all your media files are in the default location, connect the two Macs with a firewire cable, boot the source Mac in Target Disk Mode, and copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) from <MacintoshHD>/users/yourname/music on the source to <MacintoshHD>/users/yourname/music on the target (overwriting the iTunes folder in place there).
    So how can I turn off the library on my iMac and just make it two?
    you can't.
    you'll have to wait until you reach the limit of five machines. then you can use the deauthorize all option, following which you can reauthorize those computers you currently use/have access to.
    have a look at this support article.

  • Best way to move iTunes Library to a new PC?

    Hi, all:
    I'm trying to help my sister-in-law... she wants to move her entire iTunes Library from her 10-year-old PC to a new Windows laptop.
    What is the best way to accomplish this?
    Thanks,
    Bill in CT

    If the entire library is on the external drive then simply copy the iTunes folder into <User's Music> on the new computer, then install iTunes. If you've already installed iTunes you will want to remove the empty iTunes folder in <User's Music> first.
    If it turns out you only have the media folder on the external drive then take a look at this post...
    tt2

  • What is the best way to move iTunes library to a different hard drive?

    I have a MacBook Pro and recently removed my optical drive and replaced it with an internal hard drive so that I can have more storage. My iTunes library is on the original hard drive. I am getting close to running out of space on the original hard drive and would like to move my library to the new internal hard drive. What is the best way to do this? Thanks.
    -gigascott

    A re-iteration of what I posted earlier... If you let iTunes manage your music for you then copy the whole iTunes folder and everything it contains to the other drive.  Hold down the option key at the same time as starting iTunes. It will present you with a window, one of the options being to open a different iTunes library.  Navigate to the iTunes folder on the other drive and let it open the library.itl file in the folder there.  In all likelihood it should open it with no problem and you will not see any difference between when you had it on your first internal drive.  If you get info on a track and look at summary you will see it is now referencing media on the other drive.
    Message was edited by: Limnos to reflect using second internal drive.

  • Copy iTunes library to new MacBook Pro

    Hi 1st timer here
    I've just upgraded from a Power Mac (V10.5.8) to a Mac Book Pro.  I'd like to transfer all the music I have in iTunes (V10.6.1) and don't want to have to buy Leopard just for this one-off.  I've used the thunderbolt to copy everything else ok.
    Is there any easy way to do this?
    I'll probably push all my content to iCloud to share on my great new iPhone as well, but 1 brideg at at a time!!
    Many thanks

    iTunes: What are the iTunes library files?
    iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
    iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder
    iTunes for Mac: How to copy purchases between computers
    Message was edited by: b j t

  • Copying iTunes library onto new MacBook Pro

    I want to copy my existing iTunes library to my shiny new 13" unibody MacBook Pro. Since my 17" MacBook Pro remains my main home computer I want to leave the library intact on that machine - I just want to copy the library onto the new machine (album art and all).
    Is Migration Assistant the way to go or should I drag and drop the existing library onto an external drive and then drop the library into the music folder on the new machine.
    I'm normally quite good at this sort of thing. Honest.

    drjbscott wrote:
    should I drag and drop the existing library onto an external drive and then drop the library into the music folder on the new machine.
    you could use an external. or, you could connect your Macs with a firewire cable, start up the 17" in _*Target Disk Mode*_, then copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) to HD/music on the 13" (overwriting the folder in place there). just fire up iTunes on the 13" and everything will be as you are used to on the 17".
    you can then use e.g. _*Home Sharing*_ (or a 3rd party software) to keep both libs in sync.
    enjoy ...
    JGG

  • Reading old iTunes library on new Macbook Pro

    I'm hoping someone can help me, because I can't find anything on the interwebs ... I just bought a Macbook Pro (2015) and am upgrading from a late-08 Macbook. A long time ago, I moved my iTunes library to an external hard drive because it had outgrown the space on my macbook.
    Now I'm trying to connect my XHD to my new computer and access the library, but can't. I hold Option and open iTunes, then try to point it to my library, but get the error message: "An iTunes library could not be found in the folder "iTunes". Please choose a different folder." Which makes no sense, since THAT'S where my library is! What am I doing wrong? If I connect my XHD to my old machine, it reads it just fine.

    No not do it changing preferences.  That does as it says; it just relocates media, not the whole library which is more than media.
    Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.

  • What is the Best way to move my library from old PC to new PC?

    what is the Best way to move my library from old PC to new PC?

    See this migrate iTunes library post.
    tt2

  • HT1589 what's the best way to move content to a new library I created ie a holiday music only library?

    what's the best way to move content to a new library I created ie a holiday music only library?

    Sophie:
    Welcome to the Apple Discussions. You're only hope to recover the library as it once was is to: 1 - if you have a backup copy of your iPhoto Library or 2 - you can put everything back exactly the way it was in the Finder.
    Otherwise you'll have to start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from your current library as follows:
    Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
    Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
    Open the library package like this.
    Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
    Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
    This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
    TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
    I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

  • Best way to share iTunes library with two user accounts?

    I have a single iTunes library on my Macbook Pro.  I would like to share between to user accounts, each with Apple ID's.  What's the best way to do so?  Right now, I've given the second user rights to read/write to the first users "Music" folder.  But when one user adds song files, the other must "Add Folder" in order to see the new purchases.  It's kind of putsy.  Is there a better way?  Thanks!

    Hello again,
    Have the iTunes Library located in the Shared Folder for instance and then launch iTunes in both users while holding option (or alt) on your keyboard. Choose the iTunes library file wherever it may be located. You can keep it in the same spot if you want (i.e. your Music folder). Many people have their's on a local network hard drive and do this.
    The benefit is that when one user updates the iTunes library file, the next user will open an updated version that has all songs that the other user added.
    Since you have one computer shared, this should be fine. I am unsure what happens when multiple computers/users access the library file at the same time.

  • Whats the best way to transfer everything from my old macbook pro to a new mac mini, i have a external hard drive which i backup to regularly via time capsule

    whats the best way to transfer everything from my old macbook pro to a new mac mini, i have a external hard drive which i backup to regularly via time capsule

    Check out > OS X Lion: How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac

Maybe you are looking for