Help with backing up itunes library

I need to transfer my itunes library to a different computer and i wanted to know if backing it up to a disc will back up music, videos, AND apps. The cmoputer has windows 7

Do you have an external hard drive? If not, you might want to get one. Much easier to back up the library that way...
Assuming you use the iTunes default settings where iTunes copied added items to your iTunes folder and organizes your library (meaning - everything is all self contained in the iTunes folder), then all you have to do is drag & drop your iTunes folder (not just the iTunes Music folder you find inside the iTunes folder) to the external drive and copy the entire thing.
If you want to test that it worked or would like to actually start using it from that location instead, use these instructions when you start iTunes to point it to the new location...
How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
If you are just testing, then close iTunes after you verify it works, and restart iTunes again with the same instructions and point it back to your internal drive (original) location.
Additional info...
Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307074
Cheers,
Patrick

Similar Messages

Can you help with restoring my itunes library?

I backed up my iTunes library to my external hard driver per the instructions on the website. I have now rebooted my computer to default settings, downloaded iTunes and I am trying to restore my library. The instructions are to hold the SHIFT key when opening iTunes, this gives me the option to "Choose a Library", when I browse for my iTunes folder which i have already copied back from my hard drive and select this and click Open, it just takes me through to the folders where the albums and songs are stored and then says there are no files which match the criteria and wont let me restore the library. I really dont want to have to add each album back to my library one by one. Can you help?

Scan the drive for files of the form *.itl - you may have managed to backup the media without saving the library database. If you can find the .itl file then it should be possible to fix up the library, otherwise it will be possible to reimport the media (in one go - File > Add Folder to Library) and I can suggest some tools for restoring ratings & playlists from your iPod.
tt2

I need help with moving my iTunes library to a new disk...

I'm soon gonna get a new SSD which is half the size of my HDD. So i guess i wont be able to restore with time machine or use disk utility to clone the drive. I'll have to start with a fresh copy of moutain lion.
What I'll want to do is that keep all my music on my ssd and let all the podcast and itunes u be on an external hdd.
can someone outline the steps to...
create a library on the ssd on which os x is installed.
move music, playlists and apps.
let the podcast and itunes u be on an external hdd and yet be accessible from itunes, like being referenced.
in the past i did this by moving the entire library to the internal drive and then while itunes was running, move the videos from the library folder to the external drive. it autoMAGICALLY was able to find the videos on the external drive while my music and apps were stored in the internal.
now my library size is so big with all the videos that i cannot do the above steps as i want be able to copy the entire library to the internal ssd.
any help is appreciated.
thanks in addvace.
Neerav

Sometimes we sleep. We have even been known to be away from the keybord to bathe (but usually not for longer than 2 minutes once a week ).
I don't know how you automagically did it last time - your details are lacking. iTunes is normally terrible at following you moving things, especially from drive to drive. You either have to let iTunes do the moving (by consolidating to a new location) or you have to disable iTunes managing your media in which case it will follow moving inside a drive but still not between drives.
Despite the new version, iTunes still does not make it easy to split your library between drives. Probably since you only buy your items from iTunes and are never away from a high speed Internet connection it doesn't matter since you can always stream or download items you need from your Match subscription, right?
Small hard drive? Split your iTunes library across multiple volumes - http://www.macyourself.com/2009/04/24/small-hard-drive-split-your-itunes-library -across-multiple-volumes/ - copying media folders to external, then deleting from internal, then adding again.
Splitting & Managing Your iTunes Library - http://machintsandtips.com/i-j-k/itunes/splitting-managing-your-itunes-library/ - using option+drag to override iTunes from copying file to your default media folder.
Dougscripts: Relocates selected files to a folder of your choice - http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=relocateselected - replaces "Move Files To Folder"
https://discussions.apple.com/message/10160819#10160819 - Change location of media folder to start putting files on second drive. Note later follow-up post about leaving 'organize media' and 'copy to drive' checked.
TuneSpan: (OS X app) A utility that allows you to distribute the media files in your iTunes Library across multiple drives. - http://tunespan.com/ - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tunespan/id528459889?mt=12 - Requirements: OS X 10.6.6 or later, 64-bit processor

I just changed the OS from Vista to Windows7. I have a folder on the same computer with the old iTunes library. I installed a new version of iTunes from scratch. How do I move my music library, etc from that backed up folder into the new iTunes folder.

I need help with moving my music library.
I recently upgraded the OS on my computer from Vista to Windows7.
During the process it copied my iTunes library to a folder on this same computer (marked it Windows.old)
Once the OS was done, I installed a new copy of iTunes on the Windows7 but it now has a blank library (folder)
How do I move my music from its current folder location (on this same computer) into the new iTunes library folder ???
There don't seem to be specific instructions on how to do this.

Skydiver119 wrote:
My situation may be different from yours since all mu music is ripped from cd's not bought from iTunes, but I would think the premise is the same.
Doesn't matter what is in your library.
When I moved computers I literally dragged and dropped the music where I wanted it to be. THen when I opened iTunes I imported the files back into iTUnes
This creates a new library with all the same items but you lose a lot of info: Ratings, comments, date added, custom EQ, playlists, etc.
If you simply copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder, it is the exact same library, not a new library. No info is lost.

HELP! - An iPad can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time....

I had to reinstall Windows 7. After that I reinstalled iTunes. I went to sync my iPad and it says "An iPad can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time. What would you like to do". I really don't want to lose ANYTHING on my iPad. Please tell me how to sync the data on the iPad to iTunes so I don't lose anything.
Thank you!

One of the three choices is "cancel" - just click that.

HT204088 How how can I synch my ipod + iphone music to my new computer? I get the same error "my ipod or iphone is synched with another itunes library.An Ipod can be synched with only one itunes library at a time. What would I like to do Erase and Synch

How can I synch my ipod & iphone music (purchased from itunes on my old laptop) to my new laptop? I keep getting the same message on my itunes on my new laptop: " The ipod/Iphone is synched with another itunes library. An ipod/iphone can be synched with only one itunes library at a time. What would you like to do - Erase and Synch or Transfer Purchases?" What do I do?
A couple of other items:
1) I am guessing Apple does not keep a history of all my music purchases? As I did not have my entire library backed-up anywhere, and relying on the music I have on my ipod and my iphone as my only source of itunes music....I have lost over 500 songs!!!
2) I used to have an Apple account under another account name, and since have switched to a new account name. Is there anyway to find the history of purchases from my old Apple account name and transfer these over to my new account name and onto my new laptop?
I hope someone can help, I am having a very difficult time trying to obtain answers. Angie

The iphone/ipod is NOT a storage/backup device. Not maintaining a backup copy is a big mistake.
You can transfer itunes purchases from your iphone/ipod to your computer:
Authorize your computer for all accounts and then click File>Transfer Purchases

How do I sync my iPad with a new iTunes library without erasing all the previously purchased apps & data on my iPad?

I'm sure this is a common issue, and I've google-searched for solutions but I cannot find a straight forward answer anywhere. I really hope an expert here can help me out.
I purchased an iPad last year and synced it with my iTunes library on my old PC laptop. Well, my PC laptop harddrive crashed last week and I cannot access anything on my laptop anymore. I did not make a back-up for my PC harddrive either. I know, next time I should make a back-up and I will. But that's irrelevant. The PC is gone now.
I replaced my PC this week with a brand new Mac Book Pro. Excited about my new purchase, I quickly hooked up my iPad with the hopes of easily transferring and accessing my iPages, iNumbers, and other productivity iPad apps seamlessly to my new beautiful Mac Book Pro. But now I've run into the nightmarish dilemma of not being able to sync my beloved Ipad with my new MAC without getting the warning that basically says "your iPad is already synced with another iTunes Library. You may only sync to one iTunes Library at a time. You will lose all your data if you sync to this new computer."
Can someone give me a straightfoward answer as to how I can sync my iPad with my new iTunes Library on my new Mac Book Pro without losing any of the apps that I previously purchased? I want to be able to access the apps I downloaded on my iPad on my Mac Book Pro.
Thanks so much!!!!!!

how to use iTunes to sync is in the
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes
For MacBook Pro community and OS X
MacBook Pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os?view=discussions
http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro
While it isn't as easy to just use a Mac iDevice as media storage as Android and Windows, you can add documents and such like Word, PDF and others manually in iTunes to have them sync as well.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1351
They are all there searchable from Bing, Google or every Mac product has a support page.
http://www.apple.com/support/

I have an older ipod with a large itunes library and a new ipa 2. the both have the same email but different passwords.Can i sink th old ipod's library ith the new ipad's library?

I have an older ipod with a large itunes library. I have a new ipad2. Both have the same email address but different passwords. Can I merge both itunes libraries?

Not sure if this helps:-
The music files, were they bought from your iTunes account or did someone gift them to you after buying from the iTunes account? If they are yours you can download them again if you clear or de-authorise the ipod, it has to be done by whoever gave you the ipod to do this (the registered owner). If they were bought for you on another itunes account I don't think Apple let you use them as they are copyrighted and they don't belong to you, they belong to the person who bought them. If the music files where ripped from music cd's then click and drag them to a new folder on your desktop and have the person who gave you the ipod to de-authorise and unregister it. Then you re register it and put your files back from your desktop folder in your iTunes folder and synch. Hopefully that would work. Any files which you did not buy, I would not know how get around this, best bet is to take it to you nearest Apple Store and explain that they were gifted to you and ask how you can use them. The best way to gift music files is to buy the gift tokens and give these. Hope above helps.

An iPhone can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time

I recently bought a MacBook Pro, and I figured it would be pretty simple to move my iPhone to sync with iTunes on the Mac from iTunes on my pc, afterall it is the same program and both are designed for the iPhone.
I have been successful in getting the Contacts and Calendar to sync, but the Music, Applications, Video and a few other things give me this message when I check the sync box:
"The iPhone is synced with another iTunes library. Do you want to erase the iPhone and sync with this iTunes library? An iPhone can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time. Erasing and syncing replaces the contents of this iPhone with the contents of this iTunes library."
Obviously, I don't want to erase everything. Actually, I don't care about Music, Videos, Podcasts or Ringtones as I don't have any, but I do care about Photos and Applications. Actually Photos I can reload too, but I don't want to loose the apps I have purchased with the iTunes App Store.
I even tried going back to the PC and unchecking the Sync boxes on it, hoping this might disassociate it from the phone, but now even on that PC I get the same message.
How do I disconnect phone from the old iTunes and be able to sync it to the new iTunes? This should be simple right?

I made an appointment with a Mac Genius and I will say that while it was better than getting to talk to India on a poor quality phone call it was just about as helpful. Sure she was cute and friendly, but I left without my issue resolved and was surprised that I didn't even get a followup from anyone asking about my experience (hence my venting here)
Anyway, I found a solution for my issue here: http://tinyfish.net/2008/07/18/how-to-sync-iphone-with-multiple-computers/
This is a real solution to the issue, and has the benefit that I can do this to as many machines as I need and sync at any of them instead of just one. Hopefully, Apple doesn't delete my response since it truly is the answer to the problem and others might be looking for the same solution.

I got a new pc and I am getting this message: The ipod 'harms ipod' is synced with another itunes library Do you want to erace this Ipod and synce with this itunes library? An Ipod can only be synced with only one itunes library at a time. Erasing and

The ipod 'harms ipod' is synced with another itunes library.Do you want to erase this ipod and sync with this itunes library? An ipod can be synced with only one itunes library at a time. Erasing and syncing replace the contents of this ipod with the contents of this itunes library.
I don't know what to do? I should save my library before I replace the contents, but I don't know how to do that! HELP!!

See this older post from another forum member Zevoneer covering the different methods and software available to assist you with the task of copying content from your iPod back to your PC and into iTunes.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2452022?start=0&tstart=0
B-rock

My iphone / mac no longer recognize they are the same Itunes library. When I try to sync my phone now, it wants to erase everything and replace it with the computers itunes library. I have purchased items on the phone I don't want to erase

My iphone / mac no longer recognize they are the same Itunes library. When I try to sync my phone now, it wants to erase everything and replace it with the computers itunes library. I have purchased items on the phone I don't want to erase them from the phone. The phone backs up fine, but won't sync.

File>Devices>Transfer Purchases from "iPhone" and then sync.

I upgraded to iTunes 10.5 and now I can't back up iTunes library to disc. In previous versions it was in file library backup to disc. In iTunes 10.5 that is gone!

I upgraded to iTunes 10.5 and now I can't back up iTunes library to disc. In previous versions it was in file>library>backup to disc. In iTunes 10.5 that is gone!

Some of us have our enture itunes library backed up on CD/DVD - what a waste of time and effort as now presumably you can't use these discs to restore itunes on a new computer! WHY NOT APPLE?
Very unimpressed with itunes 10.5/ios5 - wifi tracking apps have been removed from the store (and won't function in ios5), it's impossible to sync photos (I have spent a whole day trying to sync my iphone 3GS with itines 10.5) to no avail and now, no CD backup facility.
I have never had problems with apple before - I was thinking of upgrading my whole system from PC to Mac but now I am doubtful - if this is typical of apple software, I will stay with windows!

I want to replace the music on my iphone 5s with a new itunes library

i couldn't find any answers on the forum, i'm hoping someone can help me... basically, i got a new laptop and instead of wanting to transfer my other itunes library from my old laptop, i decided to start fresh... i spent ages sorting all my new music out and itunes doesn' sync... i want to delete the music from my iphone and replace it with my new itunes library, i've tried pretty much everything, when i plug my iphone in and click sync, it skips through the 4 or 5 stages, the music never updates on my iphone. i'm really confused, i didn't want to click restore just incase i lost absolutely everything, PLEASE HELP
p.s. i already managed the accounts on itunes store and selected this computer, and my iphone, deleting my other laptop (so only this itunes library is active if that makes sense)

See Here...
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
Or...
From your OLD computer...
Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive... and then from the External Drive to your New Computer..
See Here > Move iTunes Library from PC to MAC
http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/move_itunes_windows_mac.html
Also... Have a look at these 2 Videos...
http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-library.html
http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-media-to-an-external-drive.html

HT201195 Who can I call about getting help with redeeming my iTunes card?

Title is pretty self explanatory: Who can I call about getting help with redeeming my iTunes card?

There isn't a phone number for iTunes Support, you can contact them via this page (you will probably need to give them images of the front and back of the card, and possibly its receipt) : http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact/ - click on Contact iTunes Store Support on the right-hand side of the page, then iTunes Cards And Codes

I was trying to add an itunes library to my computer, and now my itunes library can not be found. An ipod can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time. How can I find my Itunes library, complete with playlists ?

I was trying to add an itunes library to my computer, and now my itunes library can not be found. An ipod can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time. How can I find my Itunes library, complete with playlists ?

I have the same problem too and tried alot of things like time zone , restarting or changing DNS of wifi connection to 8.8.8.8 still nothing happens .. !!
iPhone 5s, iOS 8.3

Help with backing up itunes library

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for