How to move my iTunes library from Windows PC to new Mac

I have been using a PC running Microsoft Windows 7 64 bit for the last 12 months or so. I have now purchased a Mac. I want to move my iTunes library from the PC to the Mac.
The PC setup is running the latest version of iTunes for Windows, however, the music etc. is not stored in the default location, instead it is stored on an external HDD (it's approximately 700GB, so too large to have on the internal HDD).
Anyone know the best/easiest way to make the switch and in doing so maintain all my playlists etc.?

So, what I have done so far to try to achieve this is:
I have my Windows PC with it's NTFS formatted external HDD containing the music etc.
I have my Mac with a new external HDD formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
On the Windows PC:
* I opened up iTunes.
* Went into Preferences, and then under the Advanced tab I checked both 'Keep iTunes Media Folder Organised' and 'Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library', so that all the files would be in the main iTunes Media folder when I copy it over.
* Then File, Library, Organise Library and ticked the 'Consolidate Files' so that it moves any files that aren't in the right folder.
Next I copied the files over. So I copied the updated media folder from the NTFS (Windows) external HDD onto the Mac external HDD.
And I copied the files from in My Documents/Music/iTunes on the Windows PC to User/Music on the Mac.
But this doesn't seem to have done it.

Similar Messages

HT1364 How to move my itunes library from old PC to new PC

I switched PCs, the iTunes files are on a seperate external drive. How to get all back on New PC.

SachinMohan wrote:
... the iTunes files are on a seperate external drive. ..
did you follow ALL the steps as shown here...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
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

How can I copy my Itunes-library from Iphone to my new Mac, as I forgot to copy the files from the old PC, and now it is to late. I only have music on my Iphone.

How can I copy my Itunes-library from Iphone to my new Mac, as I forgot to copy the files from the old PC, and now it is to late. I only have music on my Iphone4. Thank you.
gunnarfromhovik

For iTunes purchases only..
Connect the iPhone to your Mac, launch iTunes.
If you haven't done this yet, go to the iTunes menu bar click Store / Authorize This Computer
Now from the iTunes menu bar again, click File / Transfer Purchases From...

My 1st ipod was lost. My library is on a Dell with Windows. I registered my new ipod to a Mac. How can I get my library from Windows onto my new Ipod?

My 1st ipod was lost. My library is on a Dell with Windows. I registered my new ipod to a Mac. How can I get my library from Windows onto my new Ipod?

Thank you for your help. I am still having trouble. As you can tell, I am not technologically advanced AT ALL. My music is all showing up in the library but when I go to file in the top left corner, Sync is greyed out and I cannot select it. I'm gonna continue to try this. It's been a long time since I had my 1st ipod and things have changed so much I will probably need to research this stuff. Thanks again for your help.

How do I migrate itunes library from a PC to a Mac RETAINING playlists?

I am trying to import a 90GIG itunes library from a pc external hard drive to a macbook pro. I did it initially but had no playlists. How would I keep the playlists organized so itunes looks exactly like it did on my old PC?
thanks!!

Jilllfrombennington wrote:
How do I move my itunes library from a PC to my new Imac.
Simply use Migration Assistant to copy all your user data from old compuoter to new computer.
See this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4796

How can I transfer itunes library from old pc to new imac?

I just got a new iMac and am trying to transfer iTunes library from old PC (barely running) to new iMac. I tried through Home Sharing but couldn't find how to sync. Is it necessary to get Firewire? Or should I sync it from my iPad? I'd like to avoid the middleman. Thanks!

Try this article too - http://www.myfirstmac.com/index.php/mac/articles/how-do-i-move-my-itunes-library -from-pc-to-mac-and-keep-my-settings-intact
MJ

How to move my itunes library from my PC to my iMac

Hi, I need to move my iTunes library off an old Windows laptop and on to my new iMac. The library is approx 100Gb in size. I searched and searched and can't believe Apple don't have an app for this. I found a third party app called CopyTrans TuneSwift which i read rave reviews about so paid my $15 USD for it and gave it a go. The backup worked well. Then came the part of downloading the Mac restore file. Once I tried to run this on the iMac, I recieved an error saying that the developer is not registered with Apple and could be a dangerous file.
I paid $4000 US for this iMac and yes I don't want to screw up the op system on day one. I can hold down the Control key and clicking to run the CopyTrans App to bypass the Apple security but I never want to do things like this... I want to keep the iMac clean and stable.
What to do now.
How can I move the iTunes library safely from my Windows laptop to my iMac.
Can anyone help.
Kind Regards

There's a failry discriptive guide on how to use TuneSwift to transfer iTnes from PC to Mac here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbl8PDuMJJ8

How to move mt itunes library from one external hard drive to another

I would like to move my itun4es library from my external hard drive H to external hard drive M; how do I go about this? without losing items

Short version: use the itunes consolidate command
Long version: read this
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/

How to transfer Itunes library from Windows XP to new Imac?

I have just purchased a new Imac and want to transfer my Itunes library from my Windows XP pc to new Imac. I have both computers on an Airport wireless home network. If this proves to be difficult, can I use a jump drive? Thanks
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I just got a shiny new Mac, and don't want to lose my music library!
No need! iTunes for Windows is almost exactly identical to iTunes for Mac, and switching over is actually very easy.
First thing you're going to have to do is figure out a data route. Although you can technically use CDs or DVDs, in order to best transfer all data, including playlists and ratings, you'll want another method.
If you have a network set up, you're good to go.
An external hard drive will work as well, just remember that Windows won't read a Mac formatted disk. The iPod is also an external hard drive, and can be used in the same way.
<hr>
Once you have the method set up, you're going to have to prepare iTunes.
Open iTunes for Windows, and hit Edit>Preferences>Advanced, and make sure that the folder listed is \My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music.
Next, hit Consolidate Music Library. This action is irreversible, and it will make sure that all of your music is put in the aforementioned 'iTunes Music' folder. Shut iTunes, and move on.
Now you're going to have to move the info to the Mac. If you have an external hard drive, drag the iTunes folder, located within My Documents\My Music onto it. If you have a network set up, copy the iTunes folder to a location that can be accessed by the Mac.
Now, on the Mac, open either the external HDD, or the network folder, and copy the folder iTunes to the Home/Music folder.
Start up iTunes on the Mac, and everything should be in place.
Cleaning up
If you have music purchased from the iTunes Music Store, you're going to have to authorize your Mac. If you're not going to be using your Windows machine for iTMS songs anymore, you may want to deauthorize it. Either way, this article has all of the information you need: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93014
If you're not going to be using the Windows machine for music, you can safely delete the music from it, as it is now on the Mac. However, unless it is actually bothering you there, there's no reason to do so. Redundancy is great for data.
About an iPod:
First, Apple has a doc about using the iPod to switch. It has some great info about moving your documents, emails, etc. However, the method of music transfer there doesn't save most of your library data.
Second, you may want to reformat your iPod for the Mac. The advantage, basically, is some transfer speed. The disadvantage is Windows' inability to read Mac disks without 3rd party software. Either way, the doc on formatting (restoring) is here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983#One
That's it! Your music collection should be up and running in iTunes for Mac. A couple of places to check out, both showing the 'extras' of the Mac version of iTunes vs. Windows:
Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes
VersionTracker
<hr>
With a lot of help from DC

How do I move my iTune library from a pc to my mac book pro?

I'm getting my son a MacBook Pro. How can I get his iTune library from a pc to his new Book?

I keep my library on an external hard disk, as I have moved machines it is just a case of plugging it in, telling iTunes the path to the library, this works for me as I do not add items frequently and keeps the hard disk space free for other uses in my case my photos.

HT4527 how to move my itunes library from my Ipod to a NEW PC

My Laptop had to be reformatted and as a result I lost access to Itunes. I was not able to save any of my backups nor my iTunes library.
I am trying to sync my iPod and iPhone to my NEWLY formatted hard drive and iTunes wants to WIPE my devices.
Is there a way to "PUSH" the iTunes library from my iPod To my laptop?
Thanks,
Willie J. Sanders, Jr.

I thought I just explained this.
The sync is one way - computer to ipod. The exception is itunes purchases: File>Transfer Purchases
You can transfer itunes purchases form your ipod to your computer: Open itunes, connect ipod, click File Transfer Purchases
Did you fail to maintain a backup copy of your computer?
You may be able to purchase a program to get the other music

Transfer itunes library from windows pc to new macbook pro?

I have a new Macbook Pro on the way. This is my first Mac ever.I just want to know how I can transfer my itunes library from my windows pc to my new Macbook Pro?Thanks for the help.I am sure I am going to have alot more questions on Tuesday when I get this. Thanks for the help. John

See this: Move iTunes from PC to MAC, http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/moveitunes_windowsmac.html

How to move ALL musical content from old PC to new Mac

Sorry if this has been asked a million times before, but since iTunes has been updated and processes get changed/revamped, etc., please let me know your opinion on this:
I am getting my first-ever Mac. I want to move my approximately 2,600 songs from my HP Windows 7 laptop to the new MacBook. These songs consist of content ripped from CDs, Amazon MP3 purchases, and iTunes purchases. Will authorizing the new Mac in iTunes and turning on Homeshare be the best way to transfer ALL music or would it be better to do that with an iPod? How can I be sure that all content, including non-iTunes purchases, is transferred? Thanks.

Your best bet is to use an external drive to transfer everything over.
For more detailed info see this
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/

How to move an iTunes library from the internal hard drive to another bootable disk.

         I got two Mac OS X installations on my i Mac system. One on the internal hard drive (320 Gb), that has been there since the iMac was bought 3 years ago, upgraded to Lion on 2 August. (call that INT) . I have a USB external drive, and recently bought a firewire Lacie external drive (2Tb), so to boot from there when I can, with hard drive space getting tight this year. I successfully installed another copy of Lion on LACIE.
         Then I went to work to transfer my iTunes library, which the media files were optioned to store on the USB drive. Intending to transfer both the music and video files, and the megadata ( playlists, ratings, playcounts ) I found the media files and the iTunes library file and the .xml document in my iTunes folder from INT. I made a new folder in the USB drive, and copied the contents from the old iTunes folder to that new folder. I re-started in LACIE, and found my empty iTunes folder. I copied over to the new iTunes folder, then opened iTunes. My eyes saw the music library to the same number of items, with the playlists etc showing.
        However, I tried to sync an iPod Nano, and a window came up saying 100 songs could not be copied to the iPod because they could not be found. After ejecting the iPod I tried to play a song from iTunes, and the screen filled with exclamation points. A small window came up, asking for a password to open "sparsebundle" and my name. I entered my password for the administrator's log-in and it said try again with the password. Without knowing what password to put in, I clicked Cancel, and got another small window asking to locate the file. Then clicked Cancel again, not knowing where to search. All the media folders were showing after quitting iTunes and opening Finder .
      I re-booted into INT, and opened iTunes. The library was still there. I synced my iPod again, ejected it, played 3 songs on the iPod, synced again, ejected it again, and opened the playlist "Recently Played". It showed up okay with no problems. So my iTunes library in INT is alright.
      Has anyone got any idea how to make the transfer into LACIE and get it running alright, or what went wrong with what I did ?
      In the meantime I will empty my LACIE iTunes library folder's contents to the trash, and securily empty the trash .

Solved the issue without using the trash . I tried to consolidate the library in LACIE, then clicked on any exclamation-mark song and tried to locate the file. Repeating those steps 3 or 4 times cleared it up. That was confirmed when I synced the entire library on a iPod Classic, and showed up no problems after syncing the Nano.
     What went wrong was perhaps to fail to consolidate the library at first .

How to move my iTunes library from an external FAT32 drive

My music library is located on a FAT32 external drive that was created with a PC. It works just fine when I access the drive using iTunes on my Mac.
Now, however, I would like to permanently move my library to a different external drive, which has been formatted for Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
How should I do that? Is it as simple as dragging my music folder to the new drive? Will iTunes be able to see the metadata, etc.?
I have SuperDuper, but it won't work from a FAT32 drive. Anyone have any suggestions? Naturally, I'm paranoid about losing my music.. but I'm also paranoid about losing the data.
Thanks!

If it's the same as with a PC, the procedure would be to:
(a) Plug in the new external drive,
(b) Set your iTunes preferences such that the iTunes Music Folder is on the new drive,
(c) Use the iTunes "Consolidate Library" utility to copy your library to the new location.
(d) When the transfer is complete, check "Get Info" on some songs to verify their location.
The original files will remain on the old drive, so you'll have a way to recover should there be a problem. You may need to manually copy any iPhone/Touch Apps to the new drive since I'm not sure those are transferred with the Consolidate utility.

How to move my iTunes library from Windows PC to new Mac

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for