Moving iTunes library between users

I am creating a new administrator account, and I would like to know how to move my iTunes library from the old account to the new account. Thanks to any and all who reply.
Chase

If you want to share your library between the two accounts, see the following article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195

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Problem moving iTunes library between users on MacBook Pro / OS Lion

Hey guys, I can't figure this one out. I bought a new MacBook Pro, and since I didn't have the firewire cable, I just made my account on the new one. I got the firewire cable, and used migration assistant to transfer my old MacBook Pro over (photos, music, documents, etc...)
Now I have two accounts - my primary one "Matt Dustin" and my old one "Old Macbook." When logged into my primary, I can access all my songs, but they show up under shared, and not when I click Library at the top of my iTunes source list. How do I move them over? I tried placing my old library in a shared folder and important that, but it doesn't work.
I just want to delete account "Old Macbook" since I already transferred my old Macbook and have everything under "Matt Dustin", I just can't make my old iTunes library my primary one on the new account. Any help? I'll try to attach a screenshot of where the music currently is. You can see from the pics where it is, I want it on the top "Library", not "Shared."

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
There is a folder in /Users directory named "Shared" which can be opened by all users and where you can put your iTunes library to be shared among different users. Another option would be to use an external drive.
You only have to copy the iTunes library to that folder. In order to access there, open a Finder window, select the Go menu -> Go to Folder, and type:
/Users/Shared
After doing this, open iTunes while holding down the Alt key, and point iTunes to the library saved in that folder. Finally, open iTunes, go to iTunes menu (in the menu bar) -> Preferences -> Advanced, and choose the iTunes Media folder in the Shared folder. Do this in all your users.
Both roaringgnome's and Niel's answer (which is the same as this one) are valid. Just use the one you want to :-)

Move an iTunes library between users on the same mac

How do I move an iTunes library between users on the same mac?
I accidentally created a secondary user on my mac some time ago when using the migration tool and am now going back and transferring all my files from the secondary to the admin user profile.
I wanted to know which itunes files/folders need to be copied over.
Is the process as simple as replacing the itunes folder on admin with the copied itunes folder from my secondary profile or do I need to delete the admin folder first and then copy the old folder over or do I delete the contents of the folder and replace with the copied contents?
I am using shared folders to move between users, but want to make sure that I am picking the right files to transfer.
Thanks in advance.

Assuming you have left iTunes to default settings so everything is still in the iTunes folder the way iTunes likes it to be, copy the whole of the iTunes folder to the new location. If it is in the default directory (Home > Music) for iTunes the application will automatically use it there for the new account. If you put it elsewhere you will have to start iTunes and immediately hold down the option key to direct it to the new location.
It is just possible you will have to change permissions. If you encounter those issues read the part about changing permissions on the iTunes folder in: https://discussions.apple.com/message/11583914
This is all a slight variant on: iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

How can I share my iTunes library between user accounts in iTunes 11

Since upgrading my iTunes library to Version 11 I can no longer share the library between user accounts on the same Mac.
The 2nd user is asked to create oir use an iTunes library, but when it is pointed to the Media folder it cannot share it.
Previously in iTunes 10 it all worked fine.
How can this be done please?
The library is in a shared areas that we both have Read/Write permissions to.

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

Cannot share itunes library between users after Lion upgrade

Before the Lion upgrade, I was able to share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer. The library is located in HD > Users > Shared. Both users have read and write access to the folder. Home sharing is turned on in iTunes from the one user who can open iTunes.

This can be done with ACLs. I use it to share an iTunes library between my and my wife's user accounts.
First go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups, and make a new group. Call the group itunesshare. Add the users you want to the group.
Then, in Terminal, paste in all of this and press return:
sudo chmod -R +a "itunesshare allow delete,chown,list,search,add_file,\
add_subdirectory,delete_child,file_inherit,directory_inherit" \
Then drag the iTunes Library folder into the Terminal window and press return again. Enter the admin password when prompted.
Your iTunes library will then have full read and write permissions for all users in the iTunesshare group. This includes permissions to any items added to the library at any future time.

Share iTunes library between users

I would like all the users on my computer to share the same itunes library. It is music that belongs to our whole family and I don't want to have to store it in multiple places and take up space. How can I do this?

Create a folder within /Users/Shared to put all of your media. Then have each user account point its iTunes Library to that folder.
Follow the instructions here, except you're not moving your media to another hard drive; just to another (shared) location on the same hard drive:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/inside-itunes/2011/02/how-to-move-your-itunes-librar y-to-another-hard-drive.html

Sharing iTunes Library between user accounts...possible?

Hello all,
I'm an experienced Mac user but am currently setting up a new iMac for my family. I've never had more than one user account because I'm the only one who uses my macbook but now my family wants 3 different user accounts for the new iMac in their home.
Because I only use my one user account at home, I never thought about the fact that different user accounts would also split up iTunes music libraries. If I import music from a CD, I would like that to be accessible and available when using any 1 of the 3 user accounts. Is this possible?
For example, my mother and father purchase CDs together...so they both own the same albums. They want to share music on the iMac, but if I import discs twice it takes up twice the amount of time and much more importantly twice the amount of space. How can I get around this??? Can one user access another users iTunes library and make that the default folder?
Thanks for your help as always!!

What you need to do is locate the iTunes Music Folder that contains the actual music in a location that is read/writable by all users. By definition, the security on each user's home folder keeps others out.
A common suggestion is to locate the music in the /Users/Shared/ folder and make sure that everyone has read/write privileges. Bear in mind that means that anyone will be able to delete all the shared music.

No, I don't want to share my iTunes library between users.

My wife and I have accounts on my Mini, and separate iTunes libraries. We also have our own iPods tied to our own iTunes setups.
Problem is with fast user switching. If I plug in my iPod, if her profile has iTunes running *at all*, it won't connect to my iTunes. I have to switch over to her ID and terminate iTunes and switch back to get my iPod connected correctly. The inverse is true for when she plugs in her iPod.
Is this a known issue? Is there something I can tweak? Is there an automator script I could use to make sure the other user's iTunes is down? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

good gracious. that sounds like the sort of issues that folks get with Windows XP Fast User Switching.
... by any chance, are you running Bootcamp on the Mini, and running two different XP user accounts?

What is the best way to share a iTunes library between 5 users on the same computer?

What is the best way to share a iTunes library between 5 users on the same computer?
Currently I have a common itunes library in a shared folder that each user is linked to. The problem is that when one user adds music to the shared file, it does not automaticaly appear to other users when they open their iTunes. They have to go to the shared library and select the new music in order to make it visable in their iTunes.
Would iTunes file shareing fix this problem?
Thanks

aapl.up wrote:
Rick, are you saying that if you try to share a folder outside of home and use sharepoints, then the other mac wont prompt you to log in? Have you tried that? It is hard to believe that is the case
I am sort of saying that. Have you tried it? I know it's hard to believe, but you really need to help us out by trying some steps that you don't believe.
We can't see what your exact situation is. We sort of know what's worked for us out here. Just trying to help you get this going in less than 24 hours!
Sharepoints manages the samba configuration file. It's free software that puts a pretty face on an otherwise cumbersome config file.
Give it a shot.
windows will not prompt for passwords, I have tried this with multiple computer at home for both vista and xp
As I stated. You will not get prompted on windows, if you have set up sharing in an insecure fashion. You are not using a secured sharing situation.
No argument with your statement.

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Thank you Joe - I tried this but it's only showing a teensy amount of music - the stuff on the second users account as opposed to the giagntic library on the 'main' account. I actually went to a Genius Bar and they said that apple doesn't really want you to share music between accounts - parents don't want to hear their kids music etc. Which seemed strange, but it might be the case sadly Thanks anyway!

Sharing iTunes library between different user accounts

I recently purchased my imac and made the leap from the PC world. I set up another user account aside from the general administrator and followed the steps of having itunes folder go to the users/shared folder in an effort to be able to share files between users. I am able to now share the library between users but find that when I load new songs onto one user I then need to go into the other user's account and manually copy the new songs from the shared folder into itunes.
Anyone know how I can have it so when I load songs into one users itunes they will automatically appear in library of the other user's itunes without having to take the step of copying/importing?
Also when I was downloading and importing over 4000 songs my imac had the transparent black box which informed me I needed to shut down my computer at least twice. Should I be concerned? I'm assuming this notice is very similar to the "blue screen of death" known in the PC world so that can't be good especially when I paid the extra $ for fully loaded imac.
Thanks for the help!

DANMAC808, Welcome to the discussion area!
See KB 93195, iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer.
Also when I was downloading and importing over 4000 songs my imac had the transparent black box which informed me I needed to shut down my computer at least twice. Should I be concerned?
That is not normal at all.

Question/Problem Sharing iTunes Library between multiple users

Hello all,
I have a question (potential problem) regarding sharing an iTunes Library between multiple users.
In the past, I had placed the iTunes folder in /Users/Shared, and created an alias to it in the "Music" folder of each user, and it worked fine. However, with a recent upgrade to Mac OS 10.5, only the Home user account can access the library.
I read the Apple Support Document http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203 uner Mac OS X which specifically states *not* to move the iTunes folder, just the iTunes Media folder (which I don't have, would that be iTunes Music?).
Any recommendations? Should I delete the different alias, move the iTunes folder back to the home user, and then follow the instructions in the support document?
We're also looking to sync music purchsed on our iPod touches, as well as apps (which weren't supported in our privous Mac OS X version.
Any advice is appreiciated.

David Guay wrote:
... iTunes Media folder (which I don't have, would that be iTunes Music?).
yes.
specifically states *not* to move the iTunes folder
*do* keep the entire iTunes folder in /users/shared, however, instead of creating aliases, launch iTunes while holding the option (⌥) key, click choose library when prompted, and select the iTunes folder in /users/shared.
obviously, only one iTunes at a time can access the library !

Can I share one iTunes Library between 2 different Windows Users?

I'm having syncing issues (discussed in a different post) with using my 2nd Gen Shuffle and 30G iPod video from the same instance of iTunes. Previously I tried creating a 2nd user on my Windows PC and using my Shuffle with another instance of iTunes loaded by the 2nd user. This worked fine, but I would like to avoid the necessity to rip my CDs to both user's iTunes instances.
Can I rip my CDs to only one of the iTunes instances and share this iTunes Library between both instances of iTunes?
Thanks for any assistance......
TIC

Can I rip my CDs to only one of the iTunes instances and share this iTunes Library between both instances of iTunes?
Have a look at this article in the Apple Knowledge Base and let us know if it brings you any combination of joy and/or satisfaction.

Sharing Itunes library between an admin and user account on one imac G5

Hello,
Please forgive the repetitive question. i have set up an admin and a user account on my iMac. I set the itunes library to users/shared/music/itunes/itunes library on both accounts. The music shows up on the admin account but not the user account.
Can anyone give a quick step by step including obscure settings that may need to be altered so that I can finally get this pesky stress monkey off my shoulder!
Thanks!
iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3) Ipod video 30Gb

Hi,
Someone recently poasted a similar problem as yours.
Here's the discussion and solution:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1192454

Different way of moving iTunes library - will it work?

At our house we run one iTunes install and it is on my iMac. We have two Apple TV's and two iphones that we sync to this install.
We have purchased A LOT of movies, tv shows and music over the last year since we have had the APPLE TV's as well as burned a lot of our personal DVD's to the hard disk (we still have the DVD's which we purchased so all is legal) so that our entire collection can be accesssed.
Currently our collection takes up 1.6TB and lives on a 2TB Firewire disk connected to my iMac.
We just got my wife a Mini Mac and we want to make her computer the main iTunes computer in the house.
Now I have read lots of articles about moving your iTunes library between computers but they all involve moving the files to a portable disk and then copying them to the new computers drive.
Being that we have so much space in our library and that they are already on a portable disk is there another way?
I would love to just unplug the firewire disk from my computer and plug in hers and have it moved over but I am guessing there is more to it then that, and since there is so much data there I do not want to risk it and have anything go wrong.
Any ideas on how to best move the library to my wife's computer?
Thanks in advance.

There are two main parts to the iTunes library - the database files & the actual media. Usually the database files are placed in *<User Folder>\Music\iTunes* with the media placed in *<User Folder>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music*.
If you have the standard layout then, in principle, your library should be "portable" and you can move the top level iTunes folder to another path or connect the drive to another computer with ease. To open a library in a different location click on the iTunes icon and immediately hold down Option(Mac) or Shift(PC) until a prompt appears, navigate to the new folder location and open the *iTunes Library.itl* file therein - iTunes should resolve all the file pointers and be able to access all your media. Simply connect the drive to the other machine, install iTunes and connect to the library using this method.
If you've kept the database on the internal hard drive, but moved the content folder (iTunes Music or iTunes Media with iTunes 9.x) to the external drive then things are little more complicated however it may still be possible to make your library portable. Copy the database files (iTunes Library Extras.itl, iTunes Library Genius.itl, iTunes Library.itl, iTunes Library.xml & sentinel) plus any other subfolders (Album Artwork, iPod Games, Mobile Applications) to the parent folder of the media folder on the external drive. I.e. if your media folder on the external is called *...\Music\iTunes Music* then copy the files into the ...Music folder. Now use Option/Shift to open the library database on the external drive and test that you can still access your media. If that works, install iTunes on the other machine, connect the drive & use Option/Shift to open the libray on that machine. If any step fails simply go back and open the previous library - you're not doing anything destructive here, or asking iTunes to take charge of moving 1.6Tb of data about which could potentially go wrong.
If you've split the content between different locations, e.g. put all your movies in a separate folder outside of iTunes Music, then you should be able to use the general method as above, delete (from iTunes only - NOT the files) any content that is not inside the iTunes Music/iTunes Media folder, then reimport from it's new location on the relocated drive.
tt2

Moving iTunes library between users

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