Library in my user account?

My library is hidden in my user account. I can save files to it but I can't access it to delete old unneeded foles.

in the menubar, Finder > Go > hold the option key down > Library will appear.
Regards,
Captfred
Edit: The library is hidden in Lion. Once you open a Library window, drag the icon to the finders sidebar for a future shortcut.

Similar Messages

Sharing an iTunes Library across multiple user account and a network.

Sharing an iTunes Music Library across multiple user accounts.
Hello Everybody!
Firstly, this was designed to be run in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. It will not work with earlier versions of Mac OS X! Sorry.
Here's a handy tip for keeping your hard drive neat and tidy, it also saves space, what in effect will be done is an iTunes music library will be shared amongst multiple users on the same machine. There are advantages and disadvantages to using this method.
• Firstly I think it might be worthwhile to state the advantages and disadvantages to using this approach.
The advantages include:
- Space will be saved, as no duplicate files will occur.
- The administrator will be able to have complete control over the content of the iTunes library, this may be useful for restricting the content of the Library; particularly for example if computer is being used at and education institution, business or any other sort of institution where things such as explicit content would be less favorable.
- The machine will not be slowed by the fact that every user has lots of files.
The disadvantages to this system include.
- The fact that the account storing the music will have to be logged in, and iTunes will have to be active in that account.
- If the account housing the music is not active then nobody can use the iTunes library.
- There is a certain degree of risk present when an administrator account must be continually active.
- Fast User Switching must be enabled.
Overview:
A central account controls all music on the machine/network, this is achieved by storing iTunes files in a public location as opposed to in the user's directory. In effect the system will give all users across the machine/network access to the same music/files without the possibility of files 'doubling up' because two different users like the same types of music. This approach saves valuable disk space in this regard and may therefore prove to be useful in some situations.
This is a hearty process to undertake, so only follow this tutorial if you're willing to go all the way to the end of it.
Process:
Step 1:
Firstly, we need to organize the host library, I tidied mine up, removing excess playlists, random files, things like that. this will make thing a bit easier in the later stages of this process.
Once the library is tidied up, move the entire "iTunes" folder from your Home directory to the "//localhost" directory (The Macintosh HD) and ensure that files are on the same level as the "Applications", "Users", "Library" and "System" directories; this will ensure that the files in the library are available to all users on the machine (this also works for networks)
Optionally you can set the ownership of the folder to the 'administrator' account (the user who will be hosting the library.), you may also like to set the permissions of 'you can' to "Read & Write" (assuming that you are doing this through the user who will host the library); secondly you should set the "Owner" to the administrator who will be hosting the library and set their "access" to "Read & Write" (this will ensure that the administrator has full access to the folder). The final part of this step involves setting access for the "Others" tab to "Read Only" this will ensure that the other users can view but not modify the contents on the folder.
Overview:
So far we have done the following steps:
1. Organized the host library.
2. Placed the iTunes directory into a 'public' directory so that other users may use it. (this step is essential if you plan on sharing the library across multiple accounts on the same machine. NOTE: this step is only necessary if you are wanting to share you library across multiple accounts on the same machine, if you simply want to share the music across a network, use the iTunes sharing facility.
3. set ownership and permissions for the iTunes music folder.
Step 2:
Currently the administrator is the only user who can use this library, however we will address this soon. In this step we will enable iTunes music sharing in the administrator's account, this will enable other users to access the files in the library.
If you are not logged in as the administrator, do so; secondly, open iTunes and select "Preferences" from the "iTunes" menu, now click the "Sharing" tab, if "share my library on my local network" is not checked, the radio buttons below this will now become active, you may choose to share the entire libraries contents, or share only selected content.
Sharing only selected content may be useful if their is explicit content in the library and minors use the network or machine that the library is connected to.
If you have selected "share entire library" go to Step 3, if you have selected share "share selected playlists" read on.
After clicking "share selected playlists" you must then select the playlists that you intend to share across your accounts and network. Once you have finished selecting the playlists, click "OK" to save the settings.
Overview:
In this step we:
1. Enabled iTunes sharing in the administrator's account, now, users on the local network may access the iTunes library, however, users on the same machine may not.
Step 3:
Now we will enable users on the same machine to access the library on the machine. This is achieved by logging in as each user, opening iTunes, opening iTunes preferences, and clicking "look for shared music". now all users on the machine may also access the library that the administrator controls.
This in effect will mean that the user will not need to use their user library, it will be provided to them via a pseudo network connection.
As a secondary measure, I have chosen to write a generic login script that will move any content from the user's "Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" directory to the trash and then empties the user's trash.
This is done through the use of an Automator Application: this application does the following actions.
1. Uses the "Finder" action "Get Specified Finder Items"
1a. The user's "~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" folder
2. Uses the "Finder" action "Get Folder Contents"
3. Uses the "Finder" action "Move to Trash"
4. Uses the "Automator" action "Run AppleScript"
4a. with the following:
on run {input, parameters}
tell application "Finder"
empty trash
end tell
return input
end run
IMPORTANT: Once the script is adapted to the user account it must be set as a login item. in order to keep the script out of the way i have placed it in the user's "Library" directory, in "Application Support" under "iTunes".
Overview:
Here we:
1. Enabled iTunes sharing in the user accounts on the host machine, in effect allowing all users of the machine to view a single iTunes library.
2. (Optional) I have created a login application that will remove any content that has been added to user iTunes libraries, this in effect stops other users of the machine from adding music and files to iTunes.
Step 4:
If it is not already enabled, open system preferences and enable Fast User Switching in Accounts Options.
Summary:
We have shared a single iTunes library across multiple user account, while still allowing for network sharing. This method is designed to save space on machines, particularly those with smaller hard drives.
I hope that this hint proves to be helpful and I hope everybody will give me feedback on my process.
regards,
Pete.
iBook G4; 60GB Hard Drive, 512MB RAM, Airport Extreme Mac OS X (10.4.6) iWork & iLife '06, Adobe CS2, Final Cut Pro. Anything and Everything!!!

how to share music between different accounts on a single computer

Question re. sharing iTunes library with other user accounts

I have seen this document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
I want to share one library with four users on my account. I'd like for any music purchased or ripped to this computer to end up in User 1's iTunes library, and for Users 2, 3 and 4 to have access to User 1s library just as User 1 does.
When I follow the directions for "Listening to another account's music files" in the above referenced document, it tells me to navigate to User 1's library through the dialog box that pops up after User 2 clicks "Add to LIbrary".
The problem is, when User 2 is doing that, and User 1 has put the iTunes library in ~user1/public, as the directions suggest, that dialog box won't allow user 2 to access User 1's Public folder.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance...
Chris

Another long description in store here...
iTunes has two main elements. One is the library.itl database file. When you open iTunes it is this that you see. It contains what music is in a library, playlists, date added, playcount, etc. It is this that is really the library. The other element are the media files. When you tell iTunes to play a track it checks in its library file which music file is associated with that track and goes and plays it.
Now you say, "for Users 2, 3 and 4 to have access to User 1s library just as User 1 does." Do you really want User 4 to be able to go and delete or rename tracks, or change the playlists? This can be done if you really want it. Or do you want each person to keep their own library [file] and share media? Even that has disadvantages as a person might still be able to rename a file or even delete it for all. At least everybody would have their own playlists, ratings, etc, though a person could delete a file and then it would appear as a broken link for others. To be honest, iTunes isn't great for sharing.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Exactly what you want to do will involve different setups so before going into detailed insructions it would help to know which ones to provide. Here's an sampling:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189
Chris CA's instructions on sharing one iTunes music library between multiple user accounts - https://discussions.apple.com/message/8974074 - Multiple users using a single library file - similar post at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3753008
iTunes Home Sharing now works between users on same computer - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3865597 The problem with HS is I think you then end up with multiple copies of files, one for each user. At least they cannot damage another's collection though.

Can my husband access my itunes library from his user account on our shared mac?

My husband and I share the use of our iMac and both sync to my itunes library. Because we both want to use the Cloud we've just set up a separate user account for my husband but I believe there is some way he can share my itunes library under his User Account. Can anyone tell me how to do this please? I've looked at the instructions to share the library with other devices that I may have but this doesn't seem to apply to sharing with my husband as he now has his own user a/c and he has his own Apple ID.

Does this article contain anything useful?
(20198)

Use 1 itunes library for multiple user accounts

Is there a way to use 1 library for multi-user accounts on mac osx? I have 4 iphones and was previously using the main account only. I'm getting tired of having everyones contact lists downloaded into my main phone. I can't seem to figure out how to sync the music to the same library.

Hi There,
I sync 2 iphones with the same library, and to stop the other iphones contacts adding to mine I have two groups in the address book, one has my contacts in and the other my friends. I then just sync the appropriate address book in the info pane when the iphone is plugged in.
Hope this helps.

Sharing one library with two user accounts.

I want to share one iTunes library with two user accounts on the same iMac.
I've followed the tutorial where you move the iTunes Music folder to a shared location HD/Shared/iTunes and then pointed both iTunes to that location via the advanced menu, but only the admin account has the music. The other user account iTunes shows nothing.
Also, I've now moved the music folder back to my area on the HD (not shared any more) and now the iTunes music folder shows all the album folders where before I guess they were hidden. Why and how do I get it back to how it was...?
All we're trying to do is share one mac. My wife and I have our own log in user accounts, but want to have the same music and iPhotos accessible on our own set-ups.
Thanks for any help.

Out of interest I got this to work.
I made a folder called 'All Music' and put all the album folders in it.
Moved this folder to User/Shared/ and then clicked on the file, and Get Info.
In Get Info added my wife to Sharing & Permissions as Read & Write.
In iTunes / Advanced found the folder on my user account, and then did the same on my wife's account and hit add to library.
I hope this was the right way to do it..... It seems to have worked.

Sharing iPhoto Library between Two User Accounts

Is there any way to fully share a single iPhoto library between two user accounts on one machine (iMac 2.0GHz dual core Intel, 10.5.1, iPhoto '08), without using an external drive (because I don't have one)? By share, I mean each user has full rights and priveledges to the entire library, regardless of who uploaded the pics. Holding down the option key on iPhoto startup does not work because my wife can't access the pics I loaded even though she's pointing to the shared library in a shared folder.

If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc. then:
Quit iPhoto in both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. *You could also use a dmg*.
(Some people have had success putting the library in the Users/ Shared folder. If you do this make sure the file permissions are set to allow read/write access to everyone. But that's unlikely to work on 10.5 because of the way that the permissions have changed with the new OS.)
In each account in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue, select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new library location. From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Regards
TD

Can i share itunes library between separate user accounts?

i bought a new imac and i am in the process of migrating from my pc. I have transferred my itunes library into my user account on my imac from my old windows computer. I have 3 other user accounts on my imac that i would like to be able to access the same library. I have selected the option to share libraries, but i cannot seem to access the itunes library on any of the other user accounts. Since the music files are on the hard drive, it seems like i should be able to access those files on all accounts. any suggestions?

Have a look at this page it might be of some help: iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

How do I use one iTunes library for several user accounts?

This is definitely a question!
I have several user accounts for my osx. One I use at home, one at work etc.
What I never have been able ta manage is a way to use the same iTunes library (the same music files) for the different accounts.
When a new user profile is created, everything in it is set to scratch.
I have tried all kinds of tricks:
- Direct iTunes to look for It's library on the other users folder (wich doesn't really work, cus even if you are Admin you don't have access to other users folders through another user).
- Creat an alias for the other library-folder and refere to it.
etc. etc. You name it...
Anyone?

Hi,
This will help you - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195
Regards

Sharing Itunes library with another User Account & Fast Switching

Hi. I recently purchased a new iMac G5 and am in the process of setting it up to be used by 2 separate users (girlfriend and me). I apologize in advance if this is more of an Itunes issue and not solely an Administration issue.
My question deals with creating a new user account on my Mac (with Fast Switching) and allowing my girlfriend to share my iTunes library with the ability to transfer music to her ipod when she is logged into her own unique account. I will be the Administrator on the Mac.
We are trying to avoid loading our music two times into the Mac under each of our logins. Is there a way that we can share the music I have already loaded into my Itunes library when she is logged into her account so that she can transfer to her ipod and create her own distinct playlists? If so, any advice on how to enable this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Seth
iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Unfortunately, baltwo's solution will not allow your girlfriend to create any playlists or copy songs to iPod.
The easiest thing would be to share the entire music folder, so anyone of you can listen to your music.
You'd have two options.
If you want to be using the exact same library, so any playlist you created can be edited by your girlfriend and vice versa:
1. Go to yourusername/Music/iTunes. You'll find two files called "iTunes library" and "iTunes music library" Copy them to your desktop, so you'll have a backup just in case.
2. Move your yourusername/Music folder to computer/users/shared. (The folder will be copied ONLY in case your using FileVault, so you'd have to delete the original User/Music folder after making sure you'd got a functional copy at computer/users/shared) Select users/shared, press "apple+i" to get the info window, go to "Ownership" change all permissions to "read & write" and hit "apply to enclosed items"
3. In case you're using FileVault, either delete or rename the original Music folder within your own account. Again, not necessary as long as FileVault isn't enabled.
4. Select computer/users/shared/music, hold down "ctrl" while clicking on it and choose "create alias" from the contextual menu. Copy that alias into your homefolder as well as your girlfriend's account (need to log in) and rename it to "music" without the "alias" at the end.
5. Launch iTunes. Done.
6. Don't worry, in case you don't see your music. I've used a slightly different approach, yet this one should work totally fine.
If you want to listen to the same music, yet be able to set up your own playlists, ratings etc.:
For your account:
- go to yourusername/Music/iTunes, move "iTunes Music" to computer/users/shared and change ownership according to #2.
- If FileVault is enabled, check #3. Of course, you want to rename the original "iTunes Music" in this case.
- create an alias for computer/users/shared/iTunes Music and copy the alias to yourusername/Music/iTunes. Rename it to "iTunes Music" without "alias".
- Launch iTunes. Should be working the way it used to. Quit.
For your girlfriend's account:
- log in, copy alias to username/Music/iTunes, rename alias.
- Launch iTunes, go to File-> Add to Library, select username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music, choose.
That's it.
The only downside is, only one user at a time can access the music folder, so if you're logged in and running iTunes, you're girlfriend, logged in via fast user switching, won't be able to open iTunes until you quit it for yourself. Haven't found a way around this yet.
Fell free to report any issues.
huhh...rather long posting...

How do I move iTunes library from one user account to another?

I bought apps for a (now obsolete) Apple ID, however, I then created a new Apple ID, which I now use. How do I delete the old Apple ID and is it possible to move my iTunes library and other files and folders from my current user account to a newly created user account? Will this allow me to use only the new Apple ID instead of having to sign in/out bewteen 2 IDs which is frustrating.

How would I transfer iTunes from one external hard drive to another external hard drive with iTunes 8 since I do not see the consolidate option? During previous attempts with version 7 I received the following error: The song __ could not be used because the original file could not be found.

Copying iTunes Library from one user account to another on the same MacBook

I recently purchased a new Macbook running 10.4.8 and transferred my iTunes library from my G5 via firewire.
The problem is that I started using one user account and
when the library transferred over it went into another
user account. Is there a way that i can take the library
and put it under the user account that i had established
prior to the transfer or do i have to import each MP3
(via the HD) separately?

Does this article contain anything useful?
(20198)

Can I share my iPhoto library with other users accounts on my computer?

My wife and I both have our own user account on the computer. Right now all the photos are on my account. If we put the iPhoto library in users/shared will this allow us both to access the photos?
Thanks.

Yes, this is exactly how I use iPhoto on my system.
You do need to update the permissions on the iPhoto directory after it's moved to the Shared folder. the default permissions will only permit your account to fully access the files, your wife's account will get errors or not see thumbnails correctly when accessing the pictures from iPhoto in her account.
After moving the iPhoto Library into Shared (and with iPhoto closed), Get Info on the iPhoto Library folder and change the Others access to Read+Write. Let it apply to all enclosed folders, also. Then hold down the Option key while starting iPhoto and choose the Shared version of the folder as your Library. Repeat the iPhoto launch w/option key on the other account as well and each user will access the same set of pictures, albums, keywords, etc. Just make sure you don't open iPhoto from both accounts at the same time. Close iPhoto before walking away from the computer or letting the other person logon.

How to move iTunes library to new user account?

My primary user account on my Mac (I'm the only user but I have an admin account just incase my 1 account ever gets corrupt or something) was operating very slowly and messed up an external hard drive among other problems so I made a new user account which seems to be operating more smoothly. I've tried to trouble shoot the problems with the old user account but it took a lot less time to just make a new user account. Anyway, I tried copying over my entire iTunes from older user account to new user account. When I open iTunes in the new user account, I changed the iTunes folder location in preferences and then restarted iTunes. None of my playlists or media were showing up in iTunes. I tried importing the XML file by doing FILE > ADD TO LIBRARY. I also tried draging the .it file to iTunes. No luck. Any ideas?! I was able to copy my library back to the old account and have everything there but the new account doesn't import all my media/metdata/playlists. I don't want to re-import my whole library again because I will lose some of the meta-data like play count, ratings, etc. I've looked at a lot of guides online with no luck.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

If you put the entire iTunes folder in the exact same location as it was in your other account it should have opened up intact. There should be no need to change the media file location preferences since this has nothing to do with iTunes looking for your library file which is what it uses to locate everything else. iTunes will automatically look for the library file in the default location in whatever account is used to invoke iTunes.
An issue that might arise would be permissions not being set correctly on the files, but then I would have expected iTunes to complain clearly about that.

Consolidate Library with multiple user accounts

On my startup disk I had my music folder in Macintosh HD:Users:Shared:Music:iTunes:iTunes Music I did this so all users on the mac could access the music without making duplicates. Now I got a extra storage drive (160gb) and to free up some space on the startup disk I was going to store my music files on the new storage drive. But I want the same setup I had, where everyone on the mac could access the same file for the same song, so no duplicates would occur.
I first started on my user account and Consolidated my library to the new location stated above. Worked great, all my files are now in the new location (also changed the import location to the same place). Since all of the other users are still accessing their music on the old location I didn't clean it up until the other users could access the new location. I next moved to the Guest account so if I messed anything up It wouldn't affect very many people, and the library isn't too big.
In the Guest account I first changed the importing location to the new one, and then went forth and Consolidated the Guest library to the new location. In my mind I thought that it would ignore the files that were already in there that had the same file name, and add the ones that MY account didn't add during the last Consolidate. Or at least Overwrite the files that were already there since if its the same file name my other account should still read it. But instead it made a duplicate of every file it had to and added a "1" to the file name.
Just another girl.mp3
Just another girl 1.mp3
Now I have 1400 songs that are duplicates like above. I want the all users to access the same file. How can I fix this for future users, as I could probably figure out a spotlight filter so I can delete these duplicates.
That was long,
Thanks for taking the time.
EDIT: I was just thinking, I could make a script that fetches all iTunes songs (the ones listed in itunes browser) and make if delete " 1" from the end of every filename that has it. And do that in the "alias" or itunes data file. But too bad I don't know how to make scripts.

1 Quit iTunes.
2 Drag your entire *iTunes folder* from /Username/Music to /Users/Shared.
3 Log out.
1 Log in on your other account(s).
2 Start iTunes and immediately press an hold the Option key.
3 iTunes will ask to *Create new library* or *Choose existing library*. Select *Choose existing library*.
4 Select the *iTunes library file* in the *iTunes folder* in /Users/Shared.
5 Now go to File -> *Add to library* and select the *iTunes music folder* located in /Username/Music.
6 - iTunes will add all the music in from this account to the main iTunes music folder/library.
7 Delete the *iTunes folder* in /Username/Music
8 Restart iTunes normally (don't hold Option). Everything should be there.
9 Quit iTunes and log out of the account.
10 Do the above steps for all users. Don't do the first 1-3 steps. Start at the second series.
Log into your account, start iTunes normally and all music should be there.
Whenever any of you do anything in iTunes, it will be seen by all since you are using one and the same iTunes library file.
Create a "main" playlist for each user with their own music. Create a smart playlist and set it to Playlist is not the playlist you created above. Select this and it will show you everything NOT in your playlist. Do the same for the others. This will help when adding only the music you want your own playlist.
Note that iTunes can only be opened by one user at a time. If you have Fast user switching enabled, the other users must quit iTunes in order for anyone else to use it.

Using one music library with multiple user accounts

I want to use one Music Library and be able to have all my computer user accounts be able to access it. Article 93195 does not work for some reason. It is easy to share music over a network but not on the same computer? This can't be. I have talked to several Apple "Geniuses" and they all scratch their head. One guy could do it in Leopard, but not in Tiger. Could it have something to do with the permissions of the Itunes Music Folder? Any help would be appreciated. This is driving me crazy.

1 Quit iTunes.
2 Drag your entire *iTunes folder* from /Username/Music to /Users/Shared.
3 Log out.
1 Log in on your other account(s).
2 Start iTunes and immediately press an hold the Option key.
3 iTunes will ask to *Create new library* or *Choose existing library*. Select *Choose existing library*.
4 Select the *iTunes library file* in the *iTunes folder* in /Users/Shared.
5 Now go to File -> *Add to library* and select the *iTunes music folder* located in /Username/Music.
6 - iTunes will add all the music in from this account to the main iTunes music folder/library.
7 Delete the *iTunes folder* in /Username/Music
8 Restart iTunes normally (don't hold Option). Everything should be there.
9 Quit iTunes and log out of the account.
10 Do the above steps for all users. Don't do the first 1-3 steps. Start at the second series.
Log into your account, start iTunes normally and all music should be there.
Whenever any of you do anything in iTunes, it will be seen by all since you are using one and the same iTunes library file.
Create a "main" playlist for each user with their own music. Create a smart playlist and set it to Playlist is not the playlist you created above. Select this and it will show you everything NOT in your playlist. Do the same for the others. This will help when adding only the music you want your own playlist.
Note that iTunes can only be opened by one user at a time. If you have Fast user switching enabled, the other users must quit iTunes in order for anyone else to use it.

Library in my user account?

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