Moving existing iTunes library onto new imac

I have just bought a new iMac. My iTunes library is on an external hard drive. What's the best way of moving this library onto my new mac so that iTunes recognises it?
Thanks for any advice
Rob

Rob,
Put/copy (drag and drop) the files into the Music/iTunes/iTunes Music folder on your iMac. Be sure to copy the iTunes Library and iTunes Music Library.xml files as well.
Then, select "preferences" under the iTunes menu and select "advanced." Then make sure the location of your music library is the music folder on your mac (this will be the default).
Sharon

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Sync issues after moving entire iTunes library to new iMac

I have a question regarding moving an itunes library to a new computer and what happens to the devices that were synced with it.
I moved a clients entire iTunes folder from the user-music folder on one iMac to another iMac, replacing it's itunes folder.
I then opened iTunes and it read the library just fine, all content intact.
The issue was with syncing the ipods that were originally connected to the previous computer.
I thought that I could just hook up their iPod to the new iMac, since it is essentially the same iTunes folder/content/data and all should continue syncing just fine. Nope.
The ipod (touch) would show 'syncing' yet no data would move between it and the new iMac.
Same thing with their Apple TV - it was originally being synced with the older iMac.
I had hoped, once moving the entire itunes folder to the new imac, that itunes would just go on talking with the Apple TV. Not the case.
So far, the only thing I can do is to do a 'restore' on the ipod touch, then treat it like a new ipod and sync it with the new computer.
I haven't dealt with the Apple TV issue yet - it would not be fun to erase the entire contents of the apple tv, then resync with the new imac. Lots of data to move around - but perhaps this is the only way?
Kind of a bummer. Is this correct?
It never gave me the 'this ipod is being synced with another computer/library' message either. It 'seemed' like it was going to work as I had hoped.
I looked all over the computer, preferences folders, etc. to see if I could find something that associated the ipod with a particular library. I did locate the ipod backups folder in the application support folder and moved it over to the new computer too.
I've always moved client's itunes library from their old computer to new computer without issues - I don't remember their being an issue with previously synced devices like iPods/iphones/Apple TV's.

You didn't mention whether or not you authorized the new computer in iTunes. If not, do that and then sync the iPod. The iPod will recognize that this is a new computer and will ask you if you want to proceed - in this case, you want to do exactly that.

How do i transfer my existing itunes library from my imac to my usb memory stick

how do i transfer my existing itunes library from my imac to my usb memory stick

assuming all your media files are in the default location, copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music or media folder) from <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music to the USB stick.

I lost my ipod. Bought a used one to replace it. When I plug it into the computer, the computer doesn't even seem to realize it's plugged in. How do I put my existing itunes library onto the new (used) ipod?

How do I clear out a used ipod classic and put my existing itunes library on it? I lost my previous ipod and bought a used one to replace it.

Do one or more of the following
> Restart your computer
> Uninstall & Reinstall iTunes
> Reset iDevice (won't erase everything)
> Go to My Computer (windows xp) or Computer (windows vista & 7) and see if iDevice shows
> Restore the iDevice completely (will erase everything)
> Make sure the iTunes and/or iOS firmware is up-to-date.
The ones I cross over is the ones you don't have to do. This should help

Copying iTunes library onto new MacBook Pro

I want to copy my existing iTunes library to my shiny new 13" unibody MacBook Pro. Since my 17" MacBook Pro remains my main home computer I want to leave the library intact on that machine - I just want to copy the library onto the new machine (album art and all).
Is Migration Assistant the way to go or should I drag and drop the existing library onto an external drive and then drop the library into the music folder on the new machine.
I'm normally quite good at this sort of thing. Honest.

drjbscott wrote:
should I drag and drop the existing library onto an external drive and then drop the library into the music folder on the new machine.
you could use an external. or, you could connect your Macs with a firewire cable, start up the 17" in _*Target Disk Mode*_, then copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) to HD/music on the 13" (overwriting the folder in place there). just fire up iTunes on the 13" and everything will be as you are used to on the 17".
you can then use e.g. _*Home Sharing*_ (or a 3rd party software) to keep both libs in sync.
enjoy ...
JGG

Problems with transferring iTunes Library to new iMac

I am having a problem with transferring my iTunes library to my new iMac. I have read many of the suggestions posted in this forum along with numerous articles on other sites. I have not seen anyone describe my exact problem.
When I got my new iMac, I used Migration Assistant to transfer everything (files, applications, settings, etc.) from my old iMac to the new iMac. On my old iMac, the iTunes music folder (i.e., the actual mp3s) are on an external HD, while the iTunes Library file (the database and xml files) were in the /user/Music/ folder on the old iMac.
After the Migration Assistant was done, the /user/music/ folder and the library files were copied to the new iMac, but the iTunes music folder was not. It is still on the external HD.
If I open iTunes on the new iMac, iTunes shows me all of my songs, but if I play one, I get the "song can't be found; do you want to find it" error. In iTunes preferences on the new iMac, the "iTunes music folder location" is the new iMac.
I have the 2 iMacs connected by a firewire cable, but neither iMac recognizes the other computer as being on the same network. That is, in Finder on the new iMac, I cannot see the external HD of the old iMac.
I can't change the library location on the old iMac, because the new iMac does not appear in Finder or in the "Change Music Folder Location" dialog box.
I want to move the music folder (the actual mp3s) from the external HD of the old iMac to the INTERNAL HD of the new iMac. I don't need to keep them on the old IMac, as I will be selling that computer. Of course, I want to keep all my playlists, artwork, etc from the old library.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks.

Never mind. Figured it out. I attached external HD to new iMac and consolidated. Duh.

Transfering PC iTunes Library To New iMac

Hi Everyone
I am very very new to macs and have been a pc user for the last 10 years. I have recently bought the new iMac and was wondering how to transfer all my music from the PC to it??
I sort of have an idea how to do it but I do not want to lose any of my playlists as I am a DJ and have somewhere in the region of forty. I have started by coying the entire iTunes folder on my PC harddrive onto a portable harddrive. Is all I have to do is connect this to the Mac and then copy the music files into iTunes and then go to consolidate library which will make a copy onto the Mac?? It seems simple enough but is this how to do it and will this keep all my playlists??
Any help is great
Al.

How to Copy and Move your Music Files from One Computer to Another
This is the conceptual framework with related and important links. Apply it to your specific situation and resources.
The safest, quickest, and most optimal method to move your Library to a new computer is to actually clone the entire ‘iTunes’ folder structure, rather than just copying just the song files. By copying the entire ‘iTunes’ folder and all sub-folders, you capture not only the music files, but the all-important ‘iTunes Library.itl’ database file (usually located in the ‘iTunes’ folder), which contains all the data about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). See: What are the iTunes Library files?
Install iTunes on the new computer. Then go back to your old computer and move (copy) the "iTunes" folder which usually resides inside your "My Documents\My Music" folder from the old computer to the exact same place on the new computer. When you open iTunes on the new computer it will look and behave exactly the same way it did on the old, Play Counts, Ratings, Comments and all!
NOTE: It is usually safer moving files between computers with the same version of iTunes!!
Here's a list of methods to copy and move your music files from one computer to another:
1) Use an External Hard Drive (ExHD) to move the complete files and Folder structures from one computer to another (my preferred option). You can clone’ the entire ‘iTunes’ folder structure in one very easy step. Also great to have available for complete backups of your Library. External hard drives now run less than $100 for 200-250GBs of storage. See This Link
2) Directly connect the two computers:
2a) Connect them through a Router
2b) Connect using a Direct (w/Mac) or Crossover (PC/PC) Ethernet cable (See: http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3001.html)
2c) Connect them via a USB-to-USB Network Bridge. See: here as an example. There are many out there (Google).
Copy files from one computer to the other.
3) Use the iPod as a transfer device, as this extensive Apple link explains. It will be a bit easier if your iPod has a larger capacity than your music collection, otherwise you will need to perform multiple copy/move transfers. This well written process also works fine while using any other data transfer medium (ExHD, Flash Drive, DVD, CD, Zipp, Jazz, etc.).
4) Burn several DVDs (at 4.7GBs each) with your music data files and folder structure, and load them onto the new computer. Re-writable DVDs are more cost effective (if your DVD drive can manage these types).
5) Burn 6x more on CDs (at 700MB each) than in #4 above and load the files and folders on the new computer. Re-writable CDs are more cost effective (if your CD drive can manage these types).
6) Use a larger USB Flash drive (1GB - 4GB) to move the files and folders. Best if the flash drive is larger than your Library, otherwise you will need multiple copy/move transfers.
Switch from PC to Mac Using the iPod
hudgie: Migrating iTunes for Windows to a new PC
How to copy music between authorized computers

Syncing to iTunes library on new iMac

Having just bought a new iMac I connected up my iPod which was immediately recognised by ITunes which opened. Unfortunately it says that it can only transfer the purchased items as the iPod is linked to another Library - presumably the one on my old PC. How do I reconcile this and avoid having all my songs erased during a 'sync'?

Thank you for your response! Here is how I had my system set up. I found a link to this in the chain from Zevoneer:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
After re-reading my initial post, I realize I was probably not clear enough about what I wanted to do with the music files on my external drive. This is where I have been operating my iTunes from, so everything is there. The only thing that isn't there as a result of my failed backup software is the backup of HD\Users\Me\Music\iTunes folder with the all important iTunes Library and iTunes Music Library.xml files. In other words, I've not only operated my iTunes from my external drive, but was (key word there) performing full system backups to this drive as well. Since the back up (what I need for iTunes Library files) is not current, I think all I can do here is put the pieces back together some other way. I will loose things like artwork and playlists, but my content should all be there, correct? I see it when I browse the external drive folders. My content consists of music and movies ripped from CD/DVD from my own collection, music, movies, and TV shows purchased from the iTunes store, and music purchased from other music stores as well as music I created myself in Garage Band and mp3's from other devices. Here are my more specific questions:
1. To put my content from my external drive into iTunes, do I just copy everything from the external into the internal iTunes music folder?
2. Is there something I need to do from here to rebuild my two Library files?
Then I assume I would need to repeat the steps in the previously mentioned KB article to get my "mechanical" set up back where I have my music files on my external drive only.
3. What, if anything will I need to do at the iTunes store in terms of registering/de-registering devices/computers? Since this is the same computer, my initial thought is nothing. I have a feeling though that even though it is the same exact hardware except for the new HDD, with a re-installed operating system, iTunes Store might think this is a new machine? Will I have to do anything specific to accomodate songs I brought in from my own CD's vs songs I purchased from the iTunes store? Will my iPod be OK as far as being registered on my account and later syncs with my rebuilt iTunes? I'll probably avoid syncing it as long as I can since I will loose my playlists once I do.
I read your message at the bottom about importing the contents of the media folder from the external drive, but don't see where to do that in iTunes. Do you mean to just copy the files from the external to the music folder on the internal? I'm running iTunes 10.1.1 (4) on Snow Leopard 10.6.5 if that helps. Regardless, thanks for taking the time to respond. I've already learned quite a bit more than I had before! Thanks!

Getting iTunes library onto new computer

Ok, so about a month ago, my computer died of a broken motherboard. the hard drive did survive, however, and now lives on in an external case. i purchased a new computer, and do not know how to go about getting all of my music onto it. i currently have:
1) An iPod nano full of my music
2) my old computer's hard drive, also full of the same music
3) My new computer, with NO music at all on it
What would be the best way to get my entire music library into iTunes on my new computer? The iPod or the old computer's hard drive? what would be the easiest way to do it? i do have quite a few songs purchased from iTunes. Thanks in advance.
-Kyle

bump

HT1660 I want to put my itunes library onto new computer, can i just sign in and bring up the library without having to back it up and reinstall it all

I want to transfer my itunes library to a new computer can i just sign into my apple account and transfer all the tunes or do i have to back it all up and reinstall?

I want to transfer my itunes library to a new computer can i just sign into my apple account and transfer all the tunes or do i have to back it all up and reinstall?

How to transfer/enable my entire itunes library on new iMac? Purchased also

Songs from cds, songs i have downloaded from other suppliers & all my purchases from itunes store.
Now i have searched for the answers already but havents found clear answers which make me think i can manage it or do it myself.
I do not want to lose everything or even part of it. I have tried authorising my itunes library on other computers but in the case of my pc laptop, only 1 episode of a tv series came up when there where at least 2 or 3 entire seasons of other tv series purchased.
So whats the most straightfoward way. Also will be looking to transfer pics & video clips from my camera etc. Should i buy a firewire & can it be used for transfering my itunes purchases also???

OK. First you need to de-authorize the old computer: About iTunes Store authorization and deauthorization.
Next you need to copy your Music folder and some preference files to an external drive:
/Home/Music/ folder
/Home/Library/Preferences/ folder: transfer these preference files:
com.apple.iTunes.app.plist
com.apple.iTunes.eq.plist
com.apple.iTunes.plist
com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist
Once you transfer all this to the new computer you will need to authorize the new computer per instructions in the above link.
If you don't have an external drive, then you can perform the transfers via Target Disk Mode:
Boot your old computer into TDM. After the TDM logo appears boot the new computer normally. Your old computer's hard drive should appear on the new computer's Desktop. You can then transfer the files by drag and drop.

Can I import my existing Itunes library to new computer

I am sure that the last time I changed computers it was very simple to move the Itunes library using Export Library from the old computer and Import Library in the new computer, This simple mechanism seems to be no longer available,
I know that, in File/Library, there is an Export Library option but this produces a very small XML file which I believe is used for playlists - it is clearly not an export of the full library. There is also an Import Playlist facility for the new computer but no Import Library facility
So how should i go about transferring transferring my Itunes library to the new computer?

Thanks Diesel. That worked fine,
I am left feeling a bit silly as the answer was so straightforward. For some reason i was assuming that Itunes would never be so easy. I'm not sure what traumatic experience lay behind that feeling.
But thanks again
ps
I meant to mark your post as the answer but I can't see any obvious box to click

Moving my itunes library onto my new ipod

I get a brand new 30 gig video capable ipod. Honestly I don't care about the video I just want the album covers as I browse my music. I've gone to great lengths to convert my old CD and tape collections to mp3 and even in spite of losing some hard drives over the years still have most of it. I supplemented JUST SOME of my still owned tapes and cd's out of convenience from Limewire and other such sources... but this is a very small part of my collection. SO... My legal library is mixed with all kinds of conversions as tech was available over the years is now in itunes. I buy this brand new spiffy 30 gig video ipod from the apple store yesterday on Michigan Ave.
I get it home and plug it into my stand by home (little used) imac... (purple if you must know) and proceed to watch itunes sync to it. It finishes and I look at my ipod... nothing in any music category at all... I reset it and do this again... nothing... mind you this is an imac running 10.3.9 and with itunes 7.1.1 Then I go to the support pages here and read some things on the internet that basically say if you didn't buy it from the apple itunes site or rip it with itunes... it won't be recognized by your ipod. Is this really true?
I can't put my legally purchased original copy of aqualung that I took the time to convert from tape via a convoluted mess of hardware into digital... let alone ultimately mp3 format... on my new nearly 300 dollar ipod???
My ipod shows in itunes fine and even shows the music (greyed) and the space it is taking etc. in itunes.
But if you scroll into the menu on the ipod,for music, there is nothing.
I had a 20 gig old ipod and the drive on it crashed but it didn't have all these rules etc. i'm reading about with it.
It was great until it died.
What am I doing wrong?
I really can't sync my library to my new ipod unless I repurchase all this music?
Should I take a single box (of many boxes) of my CD's and tapes to Michigan ave. and drop them on the door to illustrate how much music I actually own?
Why does itunes say I'm sync'd and even show the space it took up on the ipod and yet not allow me to play anything as if I had no music on it?
HELP!

Have you tried just resetting your iPod while it is connected to your computer?
I am assuming your iPod is showing a large amount of data in "Other" and nothing in music?
The problem may have to do with ID3 tags in your MP3 songs and not in the format of the songs, but you might right click on one in your iTunes, click Get Info and post the results here.
There is nothing that says if you didn't rip it with iTunes or buy it from iTunes it can't be on the iPod. There are posts here where people have used other converters and the resulting files have bit rates that cause problems for some iPods. And you can't play protected songs from other sources on the iPod with first burning them to CD and then ripping them. Whatever you read on the Internet was not correct, and you probably aren't going to collect from that Nigerian bank either.
Incidentally, acquiring music from Limewire and "other such sources" would make your statement of "My legal library" not quite true.

I've moved itunes library onto new computer and now it won't sync. I did the back up and restore things and tried to sync, and although I've said yes to erasing and syncing, the sync won't start. Help please!

It just keeps telling me "The session failed to start"

It means the device is in recovery mode. You'll need to reconnect it to iTunes and restore it again.
You may need to connect it in recovery mode manually using the instructions in this Apple support document.
iOS: Unable to update or restore
B-rock

Trying to move iTunes library to new external hard drive

I'm trying to move my iTunes library to a new, second, external hard drive and I'm not having much luck. I have two G-Tech 500 GB external drives. One is my Time Capsule and the other one I plan to use to house my iTunes and iPhoto libraries -- I want to free up space on my internal drive.
The iPhoto library moved over to the new disk with no problems. iTunes, on the other hand, keeps hanging up, with the "beach ball of death" and a lot of file error messages. I began moving my iTunes library onto the external drive by following these steps:
• Open iTunes
• Go to Itunes Preferences
• Click the Advanced Tab
• Note where the Music Library's located under iTunes Media folder location
• Navigate to the folder and drag the library onto the external HD.
The plan was to then go back over to iTunes and input the folder location in the iTunes Preferences so iTunes can find the library again. However, the simple drag-and-drop just isn't working. My iTunes library is about 10,000 songs and videos; if I have to do this album by album (which seems to be working, but I'm still having the occasional hang-up and freeze) it will take weeks! Has anyone had this problem before, and if so, did you find a fix?
Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for taking the time to look -- Tom

the support article Dennis pointed you to would consolidate your media files to the external but keep the iTunes folder on your startup disk.
another approach would be to copy the entire iTunes folder to the external and run your library from there (this assumes that all your media files are currently in <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music/iTunes/iTunes music).
so, if you're willing, start over yet again. before you proceed, erase the external using disk utility and make sure it is formatted for Mac (make sure the partition map scheme of the drive is GUID and the volume is Mac OS extended (journaled)).
now copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) to the external using the finder. when the copying has finished, launch iTunes while holding the option key, click on +choose library+ when prompted, and select the iTunes folder on the external.
once you're satisfied everything worked as expected, you can delete the contents of your local iTunes music folder.
JGG

Moving existing iTunes library onto new imac

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