How do I backup my iTunes music collection? I've read that you're meant to go File Library Back Up, but there's no option to back up under File Library! Confusing...

How do I backup my iTunes music collection? I've read that you're meant to go File > Library > Back Up, but there's no option to back up under File > Library! Confusing...

Copy your entire itunes folder to an external drive

Similar Messages

  • How do I transfer my entire music collection to a new computer and sync my iphone with new mac without deleting existing music in iphone?

    Hi All,
    I will describe my current setup and the required setup below. Please help me with the steps to do this
    Current setup:
    OS: Windows 7
    Total Music collection: 80GB of mp3 , which is NOT added to itunes library (I use foobar)
    iTunes Music collection: around 500 songs, synced to my iphone (unchecked "manually manage" that meeans all these songs are in itunes library)
    Now the required setup: (Since I am planning to get a macbook pro)
    OS: Mac OS  (This means the music file path will be different)
    Total Music collection: 80GB which is to be added to itunes library
    iPhone Music: The same 500 songs as before.
    Is this possible? In Mac OS I want my entire 80GB to be added to itunes library, also keeping my existing iphone songs intact.
    Any ideas?

    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) so you get a prompt to select a library, then guide it to the 'iTunes Library.itl' file in the moved iTunes folder.
    If you put the copied iTunes folder in the default location of Macintosh HD > Users > *User Name* > Music  then you don't even need to start with the option key held down, iTunes will automatically look for it there.  (Make sure there isn't anything already in the iTunes folder there that you want to keep since you will be replacing it with the one you are moving.)
    Longer answers if for any reason you do not think all library files are inside your iTunes folder (changed preferences settings at some point):
    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.
    For the record there's this reference for iTunes 11 but it really doesn't strike me as having the specifics you need. iTunes 11 for Mac: Move your library to another computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12168
    2011 ilounge article: Transferring your iTunes library - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/  - An article with good background information (similar to the links above), particularly if you are not sure your media files are all grouped for quick answer above. Unfortunately under the single term "transferring library" it describes two very different moves; relocating just your media (not  really transferring your library and not recommended unless you really need this configuration), and relocating media+database (really your whole "library").  Make sure you understand the difference before electing to move only media.
    Windows users see tip at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/18879381
    Consider moving everything from your Windows PC to your Mac in a single move, including your iTunes library: About Windows Migration Assistant - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4796 - Learn about how to use Windows Migration Assistant to migrate your files from a Windows PC to a Mac.
    Transferring the library as above will connect your i-device to the same library on the new computer even though it is stored on different hardware. You should not see the "erase & sync" prompt, and syncing will preserve game scores and other data on the device.
    As for the 80GB of music in foobar, add that to the iTunes library at some stage by dragging those files to the Automatically Add To  iTunes folder.

  • How can I  move the 'Itune music file' to another disk

    Hello
    I am using ITUNE in a Winfow XP environnement. I am running out of space on my C disk. How can I move my ITUNE music file
    C:\Documents and Settings\Yves\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music
    to another bigger partition on the same computer?
    Sorry if that question as been answered before I may have missed it.
    Thanks Yves.

    Sorry, there is no way to move that file out of the Profile folder, or specify a different location for it, built into Firefox.
    One extension that might be able to help you do that is Pike's Bookmark Backup extension. BB allows you to specify which files are backed-up and where those backup files are saved. It also has a backup interval setting, IIRC. <br />
    http://www.pikey.me.uk/mozilla/?addon=bb

  • My old laptop broke (idk what kind) and my iTunes was on there and now i got a new macbook pro. how do i get my itunes music and videos and etc. on this computer without removing them on my phone? please help!

    My old laptop broke (idk what kind) and my iTunes was on there and now i got a new macbook pro. how do i get my itunes music and videos and etc. on this computer without removing them on my phone? please help!

    If the old laptop was a mac also, then use your Time Machine backup to restore you user settings and files.

  • How do I transfer my itunes music library to my new computer

    How do I transfer my itunes music library to my new computer (not a mac owner)?

    These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
    Method 1
    Backup the library with this User Tip.
    Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
    Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
    Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
    Method 2
    Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entire iTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
    Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.
    I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.
    If you have an iOS device that syncs with contact & calendar data on your computer you should migrate this information too. If that isn't possible create a dummy entry of each type in your new profile and iTunes should offer to merge the existing data from the device into the computer, otherwise the danger is that it will wipe the information from the device.
    If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See make a split library portable.
    Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library, or a backup of it, then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.
    tt2

  • IPod is dead, how can I get my iTunes music back?!

    I recently dropped my iPod in the toilet, as if you have never heard that story before! So now it is fried. We also got new computers, so we didn't have iTunes downloaded onto this computer. I re-downloaded it and signed in, but I found my music and movies, EVERYTHING was gone!  I don't know how to get it back, or if it is even possible at this point.  I put my iPod in rice too, but it still isn't working.  Are my iTunes purchases and everything gone forever?  That is so depressing if it is!  So PLEASE respond!  I'm desperate at this point!  Thank you!!!

    Have you not got a backup of your content on external drive(s) that you can copy onto your computer ? If not, and you are in the US, then you should be able to re-download past music purchases (assuming that they are still available in the store and you use the same iTunes account as you originally used to purchase them) : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519, but films can only be downloaded from iTunes once.

  • ITunes music collection after 6th hardware update gone?

    Dear Community,
    I hope someone can help me with this question:
    Every year or two I upgrade my hardware, 4th time now – each time iTunes is counting down -
    How can I prevent losing my music collection when I upgrade the 6th time?
    Do I get an option "Buy all again" and it costs me a fortune? Is the iCloud the solution.
    Here's thanking you in advance for helpful advice. Cheers

    If you've got 5 computers authorised for the account in question, and you need to free up authorizations, I'd do a "Deauthorize All" from one of the computers you have access to, and then reauthorize the computers you have access to.
    For instructions, see the following document:
    iTunes Store: About authorization and deauthorization

  • TS4036 how do i backup photos and music from my computer to icloud

    How do I backup photos and music to icloud to download to my iphone4s or ipad.  Not having any luck transferring by direct connect

    You can redownload music purchased from iTunes as explained here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519.  Music from other sources can only be accessed from iCloud if you subscribe to iTunes Match.
    Photos can be transferred by putting them in a folder, then selecting the folder on the Photos tab of your iTunes sync settings and syncing.  Or, you can transfer them over wifi by using an app like PhotoSync.  To stream them with iCloud, you have to set up iCloud on your computer as explained here: http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/pc.html, enable photo stream, then add photos as explained here: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2606.

  • HT4527 I am a beginner, and could anybody help me learn how to upload my iphone itunes music to my computer so i can get an iphone update?

    I am a beginner, and could anybody help me learn how to upload my iphone itunes music to my computer so i can get an iphone update?

    Transfer Purchases
    File > Devices > Transfer Purchases
    More Info Here  >  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848
    How to BackUp
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1766
    How to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  • How do I backup my Itune library in Version 11 ,

    How do I backup my Itune library in Version 11 ,
    The link under File/Devices/ Backup / Restore backup are greyed out!
    I want to buck up all of my music and misic videos TO DVD

    I presume your songs were on the computer before you updated to the recent version. If so see Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash or
    Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device. For backup advice see the user tip Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy.
    I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "print" your library, but I have a script called ExportCSV that can be used to export selected data which can then be read with a spreadsheet such as Excel.
    tt2

  • The comupter that has my itunes account died, how do I access my itunes music files?

    The comupter that has my itunes account died, how do I access my itunes music files?

    Restore it from a backup, or use these instructions to redownload it through the iCloud.
    (92830)

  • How do i sync my itunes music on my computer to my ipod shuffle 2

    how do i syn my itunes music from computer to my ipod shuffle

    Hello marciashoe,
    The following article goes into detail over the various methods for transferring media to your iPod.
    iTunes: Syncing media content to iPod
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1351
    Cheers,
    Allen

  • How do I consolidate an Itunes music library on two windows computers onto one windows computer?

    How do I consolidate an Itunes music library on two windows computers onto one windows computer?

    Click here, pick the option which best fits your situation, open the larger library in iTunes, move the media files from the smaller one into the library in the open iTunes program window or the Automatically Add to iTunes folder, and then import the playlists. Any rented movies will only play on the computer they were originally downloaded to.
    (126751)

  • HT1373 How do I backup my itunes library to an external drive

    My iTunes library is unstable.  I have two questions:
    1) How do I backup my iTunes library to an external drive?
    2) Why am I constatntly prompted to add my computer to iCloud when I have done so multiple times?
    When opening iTunes, I receive he error message: "Please Sign In Again,  iTunes Match has encountered an error.  Please choose Sign Out and he Sign In from the iTunes Store menu and try again."
    I tried downloading and installing/repairing the latest iTunes.  That did not correct the problem.
    Also, I have sync'd to iCloud.  Every time I select iMatch from iTunes, I am prompted to Add This Computer to iCloud.  I have already done this multiple times.

    Hello cijackson,
    You posted your question in the iTunes for Mac Forum. You may get better results on the iTunes for Windows forum. Best of luck > https://discussions.apple.com/community/itunes/itunes_for_windows?view=overview

  • HT2729 how can i transfer my itunes music from one computer to another?

    How can I transfer my Itunes music from one computer to another

    Copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder from the old computer to the new computer.

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