Moving Library and Playlists to Mac

I have iTunes on my PC and want to move it all over to my Mac. How do I do this? I read the info about using my iPod to move the library from one computer to another, but it does not mention about moving the playlists. Do those get "lost" ?
Thanks

Please read this post, it should help:
http://discussions.apple.com/click.jspa?searchID=386048&messageID=1238756

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MOVING LIBRARY AND PLAYLIST TO A NEW PC

I had my music library i an external hard disk, where i have even a backup copy of it.
Now I changed my pc and I would like to use the same library and playlist on the new pc, can somebody tell me how to do it?
I have already got the songs on the new itunes, but not the playlist.
Thank you very much

Apart from copying the actual music files themselves across on to your new computer, the files you need to copy across in order to maintain your playlists are called "iTunes Library" and "iTunes Music Library.xml".
Not sure where the relevant files are stored under Windows, but on a Mac, the files are located at:
Username >
Music >
iTunes >
Just do a search for the file called "iTunes Music Library.xml", see where it is on your current machine, and then copy that file and all the other files in that folder across to the same place on your new machine.

Moving library and playlists to a new computer?

Is there an easier way to transfer everything to a new computer? Purchases from iTunes are easy enough, but I've also got all of the music that I've burned from discs, and gotten from Napster (From when they were subscription music site, not when they were a file sharing site! ). All in all thats 700+ songs I need to transfer, not to mention the 50+ playlists I have.... Any help would be very much appreciated!

The easiest way is to backup your library to an external drive, then restore that backup to the new machine.
See this User Tip for a suitable backup tool. As long as all the media is inside the iTunes Media folder which in turn is inside the main iTunes folder then the library can be restored to any location with enough room. If the media has been split out into one or more alternate locations then to successfully restore the library all the media must be restored to identical paths to those it was backed up from. You can use the same tool to restore the library to the new machine.
After confirming that your library is working properly on your new machine you should deauthorize the old one if you no longer need to access protected content on it.
tt2

HT4527 I am trying to move my library and playlists to a new computer by burning to CD's. However, I followed the directions by going to File and then Library - then they said to go to burn CD(s) - I DO NOT have that option for some reason. How do I do th

I am trying to move my library and playlists to a new computer by burning to CD's. However, I followed the directions by going to File and then Library - then they said to go to burn CD(s) - I DO NOT have that option for some reason. How do I do this? I have done the library sharing thing but I am getting rid of my primary computer and am afraid I will lose the library.

To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network,Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
and select the Library that you moved. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
Your first option didn't work because you imported one Library to another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.
Your second option didn't work because you simply referenced her library on the old machine.
Regards
TD

How do I backup my Itune Library and Playlists to my Backup drive?

How do I backup my Itune Library and Playlists to my Backup drive? Where are they stored on my computer?

For iPhoto, see > iPhoto: How to move the Library folder to a new location
For iTunes, see > iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder

How can I transfer my iTunes library and playlists from one computer to another?

How can I transfer my iTunes library and playlists from one computer to another?

Copy the iTunes folder (Mac: Home\Music or PC: My Music) to the same location on the new computer. If an iTunes folder already exists on the new computer (it will on a Mac) replace it with one you copied.

I have tried and failed to copy my iTunes library and playlists from my Windows 8 desktop to my Windows 7 laptop using an external hard drive. Can it be done? Help would be appreciated.

I have tried and failed to copy my iTunes library and playlists from my Windows 8 desktop to my Windows 7 laptop using an external hard drive. Can it be done? Help would be appreciated. I have followed instructions found online but the library of music doesn't pull in. Thanks!
Nate

Migrate an iTunes library from one computer to another
These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
Method 1
Backup the library with this User Tip.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
Method 2
Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entireiTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one, with ratings, play counts, playlists etc. preserved. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.
I'd normally recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library and unlike copying with Windows Explorer the process can be resumed if it is interrupted and it will continue to the next item if there are any read/access errors.
Note if you have iOS devices and haven't moved your contacts and calendar items across then you should create one dummy entry of each in your new profile and iTunes should merge the existing data from the device.
If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See Make a split library portable.
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then then seeRecover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.
tt2

HT1386 Switched from ipod to ipod touch. When trying to sync songs get lost. Show in the library and playlist but a message says cannot be found. An exclamation symbol with a circle aroung it shows on the missing songs. How can I sync the new ipod touch?

Switched from ipod to ipod touch. When trying to sync, songs get lost. Songs show in the library and playlist but get a message that says songs cannot be found. An exclamation symbol with a circle aroung it shows on the missing songs. How can I sync the new ipod touch?

The ! Next to a song:
The song can’t be located; it may have been moved or deleted
To find them try:
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
You can redownload iTunes purchases by:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store

Library and playlists all deleted

i accidently deleted a playlist..... so i googled how do i recover deleted playlist's and followed theese steps
1. Quit out of iTunes.
2. Go into your home folder, then into the Music folder, and finally into the iTunes folder.
3. Find a file called iTunes Music Library.xml and drag it out of that folder (to the desktop, or somewhere else that's convenient for you).
4. Delete the file called iTunes Library.
5. Re-open iTunes and go to the File menu. Select Library -> Import Playlists... and choose the iTunes Music Library.xml that you saved.
followed all them and then whole itunes library and playlist's were gone!!
I use itunes for all my music and had so much stuff organised in playlist's ect, im a music producer so it was really important to know what music i had in what playlist's..... im using windows 7 and done a system restore and that did not work.... Can someone please help me out with this asap! thanks heaps

mueller6878 wrote:
That's about the same time all of my music disappeared! Apparently no one has the answer, I am not sure how to retrieve it
Restore it from your most recent backup.
and MAC wants me to pay to talk to tech support....
Who is MAC?
Apple is the company that makes Mac(intosh) computers.

Restore iTunes library and playlists to new computer

Hi. I'm buying a new computer and am looking for an easy way to transfer all my music and playlists over from the old computer to the new one. I have the entire iTunes folder backed up onto a different network computer from my current (old) computer. Now the way I understand it, is if I copy the entire iTunes folder from my network computer onto the new computer, it will restore all my library and playlists. Is this right? The only problem is, I will be using different versions of iTunes. This is because I am moving from Windows 2000 to Vista and I can't download the latest version of iTunes to Windows 2000 because it isn't being supported any more.
Will I be able to restore my library and playlists from one version of iTunes to another? Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks!

Yes provided all your music files were in the iTunes Music folder in the iTunes folder, you should be able to copy the iTunes folder to your new PC and have all your playlists etc.
Install iTunes on the new PC first. Then, with iTunes closed and before you add any music, drag the iTunes folder out of the Music folder on the new PC to the desktop.
Then copy the iTunes folder from the backup onto the new PC to replace the one your dragged out.
You need to check the file permissions of the iTunes folder to ensure your account has full control, Vista is fussy about this, and the folder was created under another account.
Once you have done this, start iTunes and it should convert the library to the newer version etc. With any luck you will have your everything back as it was.

HT4527 Pb with Home share moving music and playlist transfers to new computer

I am trying to move my music library and playlists from my old computer (which I want to get rid of once I get my files transfered) to my new computer. After searching and reading, it seemed Home Sharing would be easiest method. I shared my library between my old and new computer. The help screen indicated you had to then save the shared list to the new computer if you want to deactivate the sharing feature (and not use other computer).
When I tried to copy music I'd shared onto new computer, it appears to work until I go to play the music on the computer. Then all the songs cut off about a minute from the end. How do I fix this problem?
Playlists: With the playlists, I followed the directions and exported my playlists to a memory stick and then imported them onto the new computer via itunes. The playlists all show up, but when I play music from the playlist it only plays the first 15 seconds of the song and then moves onto the next song. How do I fix this problem?
Thanks for any insight, directions anyone can share. I have a PC with Windows 7

With a Mac, you'd connect the iPhone to the Mac using the USB cable and then launch iPhoto or whatever other photo/movie application you like, and then import the videos from the phone. You should be able to do the same with your PC; use whatever video importer you like, it should treat the iPhone like any other camera.
You can also use this iOS app, but it will only work pictures and with fairly short videos.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wifi-photo-transfer/id380326191?mt=8

How to Restore Library and Playlists to Newly Wiped Hard Drive

Due to Windows problem, I had to reformat my hard drive.
Before I did, I copied the entire My Documents folder, including My Music and the iTunes music files and the My Playlist text files to a second hard drive - the D drive - in the same tree structure as they existed on the C drive.
I do NOT want the music files on the C: Drive - I want the music files on the new D: storage drive. I want iTunes on the C drive but knowing the music files are on the D drive.
I installed the iPod disc onto the newly cleaned C: Drive and downloaded iTunes ver 6.
Now I would like to have my iTunes library and playlists back just as they were but I am confused over the ADD FILE and ADD FOLDER commands.
Add Folder appears to copy the full music files back to the C Drive, which I do not want.
Add File appears to add the meta data, the library list, and
the playlists to iTunes, but when you go to play a track, the program says it cannot do so because it can't find the music file. To tell each track the new location of the music file listed means I would have to edit over 1200 line items -- even though I already told the program where the
music files would be.
Before trying to add the library and playlists as files, I went into EDIT, Prefences, Advanced and changed the iTunes folder location from
c:\mydocuments\mymusic\itunes\itunesmusic to
D:\mydocuments\mymusic\itunes\itunesmusic
Earlier I had used the Add Folder option and it copied all the music files to the C: drive. I had to delete them and
try something else.
What must I do to transfer just the meta data and keep the actual music files on the D drive?
Dell 8250 desktop Windows XP

The XML file is less important (See the link that Katrina provided above).
First re-install the iTunes program (if you have not already).
Make sure that the music folders and files are copied to the exact same location they were in prior to the PC Restore. If they were running on the C: drive, you'll need to place them there at first, then move them within iTunes.
Then copy the original ITL file you saved into the 'iTunes' folder, replacing the newly created (and smaller) ITL file that was created when you reinstalled iTunes.
Open iTunes and the Library should be as it was prior to the Restore.
To move the files to your D: drive keeping iTunes 'informed' see this link:
http://discussions.apple.com/click.jspa?searchID=721335&messageID=1316838
Post back if you still have questions.

The same itunes Library and playlists on the same computer with two systems

I want to have the same itunes library and playlists on the same computer with the two different Os 10.3.9 and 10.4.9 each one on the different disk. without copy this in the itunes folder (because my library its 30Gb)
I have the same user name on the Os. I use the same version of itunes in both systems
I use my ipod to play the library but its not the best solution (i lost my library in ipod twice because I confused from what os was synchronized)

Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Amalgamate the two iTunes libraries. Then load iTunes and hold down the Option/Alt ⌥ key and then choose "Choose Library" and then point both copies of iTunes to use the combined iTunes library.
regards
mrtotes

HT201272 I have tried several ways to transfer my itunes library and Playlists to a new computer. I get the music library but not the playlists. Can you advise? 2nd I purchased 21 new tunes yesterday on the new computer worked great but when I made a disc

I have tried several ways to transfer my itunes library and Playlists to a new computer. I get the music library but not the playlists. Can you advise?
2nd > I purchased 21 new tunes yesterday on the new computer> worked great> but when I made a disc to transfer the playlist. I get the music but no album info just 1,2,3,etc. So I have signup both computers to share thinking that would work. But no to that also.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Bob

Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from old computer to new computer.
See this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

Can't back up entire library and playlists

I set up my I'Tunes to backup to a DVD drive (I did it with a CD drive before and got no song titles or artist names). I hit back up and when asked I chose to back up the entire library and playlists. The back up gave me 241 of 1100 songs on a DVD which was 4.7 Gbs and the library is 3.99 Gigs. It was not the list of songs that I've added since my last back up. It was a bunch of random songs. All the songs in the library were checked and rated. I had upgraded to 7.3.2. I considered going back to 7.2.after what I've read here. I don't know how, but I know it involves filehippo. I Googled filehippo and found one reference which allowed only an upgrade to 7.3.2. Do I need to have my I-Pod plugged in when I back up? I'm scared to death to do this because I'm seeing all these horror stories about losing all songs. All the playlists are on I-Tunes. Any help is really appreciated.

With all due respect, and I really appreciate your help, I may be slow here, but there are about 100 places to look for Help. I started with the help offered with my I-Tunes library and plugged in "can't backup" but I had no luck at all. I kept looking around for an area called help - and they were all over. I would really appreciate it if you could be more specific or, if you wouldn't mind, if the answer is simple if you could just give it to me. I understand it may not be simple, so I really need some more info pointing me to where it is. Sorry I'm so lame on this. It's just that all this I-Tunes mess with all these tons of questions has me confused.
Thanks a million,
Dawn

Moving Library and Playlists to Mac

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