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

Similar Messages

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

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.

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.

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.

Copying iPhoto Library to new MacBook Pro

I have recently bought a new MacBook Pro primarily to use when travelling. I also have a iMac which will continue to be my main mac. I naively thought that by using Migration Assistant I'd be able to copy/transfer all the stuff I have on my iMac (iTunes Library, iPhoto Library etc....) to the MacBook Pro but it's clearly not as simple as that.
Can someone please help me to get the content on my iMac to the Pro and is there a way to update any new photos etc automatically from my iMac to the Pro? It's worth adding that I also have a Time Capsule which is used for backing up from the iMac.
All help gratefully appreciated!!

I naively thought that by using Migration Assistant I'd be able to copy/transfer all the stuff I have on my iMac (iTunes Library, iPhoto Library etc....) to the MacBook Pro but it's clearly not as simple as that.
I don't know what problems you've had, but I was able to do that with Migration Assistant.
To move your Library:
1. Connect the two Macs together
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder on the iMac to the same location on the new one.
3. Launch iPhoto.
That's all there is to it..
is there a way to update any new photos etc automatically from my iMac to the Pro?
Yes, simply use the Pro as a back up location and back the library up using an app like DejaVu.
However, this will work only as long as you use the Pro as a back up for the iMac. If you add photos to the Pro and then try and sync the two you may damage either Library.
Alternatively, you can use iPhoto Library Manager to move Photos, Events and Albums, plus associated metadata between Libraries.
Regards
TD

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!

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.

HT1329 My large iTunes library is on an external hard drive. Can I set up iTunes on my new Macbook Pro and copy the library to it or are there any pitfalls?

I have my large iTunes library on an external hard drive. Can I set up ITunes on my new Macbook Pro and transfer/copy this library to the internal hard drive or are there any problems I should be aware of?

ITs an old Iomega 100gb external HD that has about 90gb of music on it. The Macbook has a 500gb HD. I would like to put the iTunes library on the internal HD so I have room to expand.
Phil0124 wrote:
You can copy it to the internal hard drive as long as it fits on it. How big is your library, and how big is your internal HD?
The only thing you do not want to do is over-stuff the internal hard drive. The OS needs some space to operate correctly, so if your iTunes library uses up more than say 80 to 85% of the internal HD's available space it may not be a good idea to transfer it over.
With that said, the internal HD will provide slightly faster access to the library than the external would, but other than that, you can point iTunes to the external drive just fine.

How to get my itunes on my new macBook pro

Howw do I get my itunes on my new MacBook Pro?

The application should be pre-installed. If you mean transfer a library:
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
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.

I bought a second hand G4 iBook with iLife 09 on it. I have copied iLife to my new Macbook Pro. The applications would not open, so I did a software update and update all three applications, but they will still not open. Can anyone help?

I bought a second hand G4 iBook with iLife 09 on it. I have copied iLife to my new Macbook Pro. The applications would not open, so I did a software update and update all three applications, but they will still not open. Can anyone help?

The seller should have given you the original disk so that you can reinstall as needed. But it likely was a single-user license (which really means single computer) so you can only have a copy on one computer at a time. If the seller didn't give you the disk he is probably still using the software on his new Mac. Your best option to get any of the iWork apps to use in OS X 10.6.6 or later is through the Mac App Store. You can then install them on any Mac you have that has access to the Mac App Store using your Apple ID.

My books are no longer in iTunes library on my MacBook Pro. Not on my iBooks, either. Had over 200 books in itunes library, all synced to my iPad 2. I deleted them as I read them, knowing I still had them in iTunes. I updated to iOS 7. No books! Where?

My books are no longer in the iTunes library on my MacBook Pro. They are not in my iBooks, either. I had over 200 books in my iTunes library, all synced to my iPad 2. I deleted them from the iPad as I read them, knowing I still had them in iTunes. Then I updated to iOS 7. I still have the books I haven't deleted from my iPad, but all the other ones are nowhere to be found. No books in iTunes, no books in iBooks. Where are they? Also, going forward, if I want to add more books to my iPad, especially PDFs that are not available for purchase from the iBooks store, how do I do that? Help!

let's try working through this document. (you can skip the reinstall itunes step.)
No music shows up in iTunes after upgrading

HT1766 How do you sync an iphone with itunes on a new MacBook Pro without deleting everything on your iPhone? It is the iPhone 4.

How do you sync an iphone 4 with itunes on a new MacBook Pro without deleting everything on your iPhone 4 if it was previously syned on a PC?

Follow the steps listed here under the section titled "External Drive". Once you find the location of the iTunes Media folder you can transfer it over a netork connection, rather than using an external drive.
How to move your music to a new computer: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527?viewlocale=en_US

HT1473 How can I transfer my music (not purchased from Itunes) from my Ipad/Iphone to my new Itunes library on a Macbook Pro?

I've recently bought a new Macbook Pro and in my Itunes Library everything I have purchased from Itunes is in my new Itunes Library.
However I want to transfer all my music (not purchased from itunes) from my Ipad/Iphone to my new Itunes Library.... and I have absoutely no idea how to do this? Also I'm scared to press sync when my ipad is plugged into my Mac incase will loose all this music!
Help Please!

The iphone/ipad/ipod is not a backup/storage device. The sync is one way - computer to iphone/ipad/ipod.
Copy everything from your old computer or your backup copy of your old computer.

Set up iTunes on a new MacBook Pro to access an existing music library on an external hard drive?

We just replaced an old MacBook with a new MacBook Pro. We had to keep our iTunes library on an external hard drive because we didn't have space on the old computer. Since our library is large, I'd prefer to keep it that way with the new computer. I want to set it up to see the library on the external hard drive but as I've had issues with iTunes in the past so I wanted to know how to do this from the beginning instead of guessing. Help!

You have to click on the external drive, you will be able to play your tunes, plg in your external dive then double click on your exdrive, all your music should be there. just click on the song/playlist off the exdrive and they should play.

Copy iTunes library to new MacBook Pro

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for