Moving an iTunes Library to a different Mac

I want to make a mac mini the main iTunes Library in the house (presently a PowerMac G5). Transferring the media files seems pretty straight forward but how do i go about moving the apps from one iTunes to another (want to use the mini to sync iPad/Pods as well)...is that even possible? Can I just copy the entire iTunes Library folder wholesale and point the mini to that folder?

tmartine wrote:
Can I just copy the entire iTunes Library folder wholesale and point the mini to that folder?
yes.
the simplest way would be to 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).
JGG

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Moving an iTunes library from PC to Mac

Hi
I'm trying to move an iTunes library from a PC to a Mac and failing miserably. Have tried various methods from the internet, but none seem to work. I've consolidated the PC library, copied the files to an external hard drive, but it's the last part that doesn't seem to work. The Mac has had an iTunes library on it before, and all the files have been transferred to another Mac and deleted, but I can't get the new files from the PC to appear.
Any help would be much appreciated

If your media files on the PC are inside the iTunes Media folder, which, in turn, is inside the iTunes folder that contains your library files then it should be easy.
1. Copy entire iTunes folder (and all subfolders) from PC to Mac, either directly over a network or via an external harddrive.
2. On the Mac rename *...\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl* as *...\iTunes\iTunes Library*
3. On the Mac delete *...\iTunes\iTunes Library Genius.itdb*
4. Launch iTunes and immediately press & hold down the Option key until a dialog opens asking you to *Create or Choose a library*. Navigate to the folder/drive you've copied from the PC and open *...\iTunes\iTunes Library*.
5. Job done.
If your PC has tracks that are outside your iTunes Media folder then you'll need to Consolidate the library before you start the move.
tt2

ITunes Library on two different Macs

Greetings all,
Sorry if this is covered somewhere, but I need a little help. Is there a way to sync my libraries between two macs? And by this I mean to have the same playlists and songs between the two, without having to create the same playlist on the other? I currently transfer my songs and videos between the two so they have the same things, but I would like to stop having to set up the same playlist manually.
Should I just be able to copy one of the .xml's over to the other? I have heard that this might cause me nightmares. So obviously I would (and have already) backed up all of my music and video's on both macs.
If there is a link or anyone knows something about this, your help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Matt.
15 PB 1.5 Ghz; iMac 20" NOT intel, 60GB iPod, 40GB iPod Mac OS X (10.4.6)

You have your music on both hard drives?
I had a similar issue and was able to sync the two by replacing the Library file on one computer with the file from another. I now use one computer as the "main" iTunes into which I import all the new music then periodically replace the Library file on the other computer to keep it sync'ed.
But I store all my music on an external to which both computers are linked.

I would like the share an iTunes library between two different accounts on one Mac. How do I do this?

iTunes no longer works properly (aka at all) while using one of the user accounts set up on my iMac. It does, however, work when logging in under another user account on the same iMac. (if any of you can help me solve this issue that would be perfect). If there is no solution can anyone help with my request to share an iTunes library between two different accounts on one Mac. How do I do this?

jc_hering wrote:
that works for anything he purchases after he creates the new account. What about his current music that currently resides in my itunes library? How can I get his current music out of my library into his new account/library?? Thanks..
Copy it to his computer into his iTunes library and authorize his computer with the iTunes account used to purchase them..
You cannot tranfser items from one iTunes account to another. Purchased items remain part of the iTunes account is was purchased with.
iTunes account - used to purchase items
iTunes library - where purchases (and CD RIPs) go on the computer

Moving iTunes library from PC to Mac using iPod as external disk drive

O.K. I read the tutorial on this website on this topic and found it helpful though I haven't tried it yet. My question is - the tutorial examples assumed I would be using 2 macs. But, I am moving the iTunes library from a PC to a Mac (using the iPod as an external disk drive). Is that possible?

Thanks Erik. O.K....one more question... My PB obviously came w/ iTunes installed, and I have already added to it's library. So, is it possible to move my old iTunes library (on the PC) onto my new PB and keep the all of the songs from the PC's library and the Mac's (basically consolidate both libraries into one)? Or will it replace the Mac's library with the imported library from my PC? Thanks for your help.

I am trying to transfer my itunes library from my old Mac to my new Mac; however, all that transfers is the music I downloaded from itunes. It does not transfer the music I downloaded from my cd's.

How do I transfer my itunes library from my old Mac to my new Mac? When I try all that transfers is what I downloaded from Itunes. It does not transfer the music I downloaded from my cd's/.

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.
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 iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
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
Windows users see tip at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/18879381
2011 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, particularly if you are not sure your media files are all grouped for quick solution above. Unfortunately it uses the single term "transferring library" for two very different moves; relocating just your media (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.
If you put it 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.)

HT4527 Okay ... So I wish to transfer my itunes library to a new mac from a PC. Question, I do not have an single "iTunes" folder, I have three, because I have created several itunes libraries: Richard's iTunes, Justin's iTunes, and Rachael's iTunes fo

I am trying to follow the instrucitons for moving my iTunes account to a new Mac from a PC. I wish to use the External Hardrive Method, (also I have too much info to fit into the free iCloud space) ... and I am wondering how to handle several iTunes accounts for my son and daughter. We all share the itunes media folder, but I use the control-click option to open either mine, my sons, or my dauthers account.
I.e. On the old windows PC I have itunes, Richard's itunes, Justin's itunes, and Rachael's iTunes folders. The instructions speak of the simple itunes folder ... so, do I copy all of these folders to the external hard drive and will things operate as before?

Yes, you copy each one's iTunes folder to the /Home/Music/ folder in each of their separate user accounts. You will first need to create a separate user account for each of them using the Users & Groups preferences.
MacWorld - Move an iTunes library from a Windows PC to a Mac
Mac OS X 10.7 Help- Create a new user or group account
Mac OS X- Setting Up User Accounts

Can you set up apple tv using 2 different itunes accounts from 2 different macs in same household?

can you set up apple tv using 2 different itunes accounts from 2 different macs in same household?

No, you can only connect to one Home Sharing account at a time. If you want to see the content of the other Mac's library you will have to turn off Home Sharing on the Apple TV and log back in with the other iTunes account.

HT1495 My Wife and I have separate accounts on the same Macbook Pro. I have moved the iTunes library to a shared area and we can both access it, however, my Wife (secondary user)can't import cd's. Is there something we are missing and is there a way to d

My Wife and I have separate accounts on the same Macbook Pro. I have moved the iTunes library to a shared area and we can both access it, however, my Wife (secondary user)can't import cd's. Is there something we are missing and is there a way to do this?

You are more likely to get relavant and useful suggestions posting to the Mac forums instead of the iTunes for Windows forum where you've posted.

Moving my itunes library to a removable hard drive.

I have moved my itunes library to a removable hard drive. Every time I try to trash my old itunes file and access the removable HD, I cant find it from iTunes. the only thing I can get it to do is to reload (duplicate) the entire 30gb library on the HD I want it off of. Now I have 2 duplicate versions of my library, but still can't get it to keep the files on the HD. Can someone help?
Mark

Hey Mark -
I think it's helpful to understand how this whole process works, and along the way, maybe we'll find where things went wrong for your situation.
iTunes can take as much or as little control of your library as you like, and different settings may be turned on or off for you as it's not always standardized.
If you'd like your entire iTunes Library to be transferred to one centralized, organized location (wherever - a local directory or an external drive, whatever you like), here's what you need to do (and if it's not too late, here's what you need to go "back" and do to make this transition smoother).
- Open iTunes with the default library (where you had it).
- Select iTunes, Preferences, Advanced, and ensure that "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" and "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" are both checked. This ensures that your music files are actually going TO the iTunes folder (and not, for example, just being referenced in a downloads folder which you'll probably move or delete later, breaking all those links) and that iTunes will sort your media by Artist\Album\Track Number Song.xxx instead of just moving the file as-is to a different spot.
- Select File, Library, Organize Library and check "Consolidate files" and "Reorganize files in the folder 'iTunes Media'". These two marks take anything up-to-this-point and consolidates them into the one location, then uses its sorting structure to file it all away.
Then, Mark, I think it's appropriate to exit iTunes, take that entire library folder (YourUsername\Music\iTunes\) and put it wherever you'd like it to go. To tell iTunes where your new library is, hold the Option key and click on the iTunes application, then "Choose Library" and reference your new location.
I think it's important to follow the preliminary steps first. I've run into instances with customers where they've moved their Library file, referenced it by Choosing the new Library, and then thought everything was fine, only to find two weeks later when they try to play an audio file that the file isn't found - and this happens because the user moved the library FILE but didn't have a consolidated library TO move - the files were spread out all over the computer.
I hope that's helpful to you. I know it may be too late to "undo" yourself back to the beginning and do those organizational steps, but it's at least useful to know the process and how it might help you in the future.
Best of luck.

How do i move my itunes library to a different drive

i underestimated the space i needed for my itunes library. at the time, i thought 75gb is more than enought for my 60gb ipod, then the videos and movies came along. although i cannot put them on my 4th gen ipod, but i did downloaded a bunch of free tv shows and video podcasts.
i thought i was simply gonna delete some already-viewed files as i push the limit, but then the recycle bin on my ipod specific drive screwed up. i can no longer delete anything off that drive. since the partition i had earlier was kind small for my ipod drive, i think i want to reformat the drive to a different partition.
of course, i need to move my itunes library first. can someone please teach me how to move my itunes library to a different drive? thank you very much.

When I added a second drive internal drive I used this guide: Moving your iTunes Music Folder

Problems after moving my iTunes library to an external hard drive.

Hello everyone. I recently followed the instructions in the Apple support article to move my iTunes library to an external drive. After completing all the steps in the article I consolidated my library on the new drive and verified that all of my files made it over to the new location. Then I deleted my music files from the old location and made sure, one more time, that my music and videos would still play through iTunes. Everything worked fine. The files in iTunes all referenced the new location. Then there was a problem...
The next morning I opened my iTunes and every song and video showed an exclamation point. None of them could find their files! I went into my iTunes preferences to confirm my setting were still good and found that my iTunes music folder had been changed back to its default location on my Mac hard drive! All the files are still located on my external drive where I consolidated them, but iTunes is trying to pull them from the default location.
Why has this preference changed?
How can I fix what's happened?
And, how can I make sure this doesn't happen again?!
Thanks to anyone who wants to offer me some advice!
Mike

I may have found an answer here:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive
They only thing I can assume is that my external hard drive was slow to start and iTunes defaulted to its old directory (see the last paragraph at the link above). However, once my external was recognized shouldn't everything have fixed itself?
Message was edited by: williamson42
Message was edited by: williamson42

What is the best way to transfer my iTunes library to my new mac book pro?

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TRANSFER MY ITUNES LIBRARY TO MY NEW MAC BOOK PRO? I AM A NOVICE COMPUTER WIZARD!

From your Old Computer... Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive... and then from the External Drive to your New Computer..
Backup iTunes to an External Drive
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
Moving iTunes Media Folder (Mac)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449
If your Old Computer is a PC... See Here...
Move iTunes Library from PC to MAC
http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/move_itunes_windows_mac.html

How to Transfer iTunes Library from Windows to Mac

I'm having some trouble moving my iTunes library from my old Windows XP Dell to my new MacBook Pro. I used my iPod video on the Dell, but now that I have a Mac, I want all my songs to be moved over there. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to do this. I looked at the Apple Support pages, but none of them address this particular issue. Can someone guide me on how to do transfer my library?
Thanks!

the ipod now showing up in my computer or wherever is probably because the ipod is not set for disk use. go to the ipod settings in itunes and fink the check box where it says "enable disk use" this should make the ipod show up. now you should be able to put the songs onto the ipod as a music file to transfer them. other methods of transfer could be an external hard drive, a travel drive, a usb cable, or the most convenient but frustrating way is to open the ipod folder in my computer... and nvm i cant remember how to do it and dont have a working ipod at the moment to find out. ill post that solution later. i will say it involves opening the folder where the music is saved on the ipod, copying them onto the computer and renaming every single file. this is convienient only because it doesnt require modification or movement of any songs to the ipod because it uses the ones on there. all the files renamed with random letters and numbers when put on the ipod so youll have to reorganize all songs

Moved my iTunes library to ext HD...MacBook won't boot

I followed the directions on moving my iTunes library to the ext HD, checked to see if iTunes worked correctly, shut down my computer and went to class. Got home and when I tried to start my computer all I get is an picture of a folder with a question mark in it.
I used the startup disc to verify and repair the HD and it says there is a problem with one of the volumes but it is unable to repair it.
I've never had a single problem or even a hiccup in the six months I have owned it.
Anyone know what to do? It has been several days and because of my schedule I can't get to a Mac store to for help.

It won't start even with the ext HD unplugged. I have tried to repair the drive a bunch of times and it just says that it can't be repaired.
I just find it odd that I've never had a problem until I moved my iTunes library.
Is there a way I can use my wife's MacBook to explore my drive and check for files? I know I can connect them with a firewire cable and hold the "t" when booting up but I can't figure out how to access the files on my computer.

Moving an iTunes Library to a different Mac

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