Multiple iPods, multiple computers, one account???

I have four computers and will soon have four iPods (one model #M946OLL, three new Nanos) My main computer has iTunes loaded with all our downloaded and purchased music. Please advise as to how I set up the three new Nanos, each with their own computer, but sharing all the music. Note, all music will be purchased with the same account. Thank you!

Start with these links:
Natalie Beresford: Multiple iPods/iTunes Installations
How to use multiple iPods with one computer
How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
Using iPod with Multiple Computers
Then post back with your desired 'end-state' vision of how all four PCs will work with all four iPods. It may or may not be possible (or even easy, if possible).

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I have a family of 6, we each have various ipods (iphone, ipod, nano, shuffle, etc), and we have multiple computers -- some Mac and some PC.
We need to understand what factors impact the ability to put a particular track on one or more devices, manage a given device from one or more accounts on one or more computers, and share, as allowed, between devices, people, iTunes libraries, iTunes store accounts, for both purchaed tracks and MP3 files that we might already own, etc...
I'm looking for a simple and concise description of all of the factors. Any pointers?
If the iTunes world were simple we could simply each have our own music -- stored in one or more places in one or more accounts, on one or more computers. We would be able to share what we like, and put whatever subset we like on whichever device, manage any device from any account on any computer, etc... Of course this could be subject to licenses, but it should at least be possible to get a statement of what license restrictions exist.
Can anyone suggest any references for this? I assumed it was simple, but anyone who has recently plugged a "guest" iPod into another computer will know this is not the case after having been rewarded with the choice of wiping all content off of the iPod, or somehow transferring the content to the friend / family member (with no clear indication of whether this also comprises transferring the content away from the original user, nor how, if possible, to undo such a move later, etc...)
I have seen an article relating to using multiple ipods with one computer, but it does not address all of the issues -- for example using one ipod with multiple computers, etc...
Thanks in advance.

Let's see if we summarise the main points that will help you decide on a strategy:
+ An iPod can automatically sync (one-way transfer from iTunes to iPod) with just one iTunes library.
+ An iPod (but not an iPhone) in manual mode can accept tracks from multiple libraries.
+ iTunes can transfer (copy) purchases from an iPod into the library if authorised for the account used to purchase them.
+ Networks, memory sticks, portable hard drives, CD-R, DVD-D and iPod to PC transfer programs can be used to move other content between your libraries.
+ The new "home sharing" feature probably has some relevance too, but I've not explored just what the capabilities are.
+ For each account, DRM puchases can be authorised on up to 5 computers at any one time.
+ For each computer, up to 5 accounts may be authorised on it at any one time.
+ Each iPod may hold DRM content from up to 5 different accounts.
+ DRM content may be transfered to as many iPod's as you wish.
+ Most iTunes Store content is no longer subject to DRM, the main exceptions being Movies & Games/Applications.
+ iPods can be formated for use with either Mac or Windows. You can manage content on a Windows formatted iPod with either system, but the reverse is not the case. Firmware updates & restores must take place on the native system.
+ An undocumented/unsupported feature is that if you clone a library (make a complete copy of the iTunes library files and media content) and place this on another machine, an iPod "synced" to the original library will also see any clone as its "home" library. Once cloned you don't have to keep all the content available in each locataion. For regular iPods if syncable content cannot be found corresponding files on the device will be left alone (not updated or deleted).
+ The main database file of an iTunes library can only be opened by one process - multiple users on the same computer or over a network will lead to problems. Always close iTunes before switching profiles.
+ The media content folders can be simultaneously accessed by multiple accounts.
+ Automatic syncing has a number of advantages. You can update tag info. in iTunes knowing that when updated the iPod will recieve all the updates. Using playlists you can manage the content that will go on an iPod without having it connected. Ratings & playcounts can sync in both directions. All the content required to restore your iPod is in one location.
+ Manual management allows you to add content from whichever library you are connected to.
+ iTunes does not keep track of files moved or updated by other programs or instances of iTunes. If you share content folders then it is best to avoid the *Keep iTunes Media folder organised* option. When you update content on one machine, e.g. change a capitalisation or correct a spelling, other libraries will only notice the change if they access the file in some way, e.g. by playing it.
I'm sure there's more that I can't think of just now but that's a start.
*Personal Case history:*
Our family has an iPhone, a Nano, 3 Classics (old & new) and a 5th gen. I started by making most of the purchases on my account, putting the children's gift cards onto my store account for example, but two now have their own accounts. I manage most of the music in one main library that sits on a network. One child has a separate library which started as clone of the original and then had content that he dislikes removed... This means I can update his iPod at either his machine or mine although if I add any of his music I have to remember to update both libraries. When he uses iTunes on his computer he only sees the rock/blues/metal that he likes whereas the main library has everybodys content lumped together.
All the iPods are set to sync automatically using the method two (Sync with selected playlists) from the Apple support document How to use multiple iPods with one computer, although I have a slight twist. Rather than regular playlists I set the grouping field to indicate which users should receive which tracks and create smart playlists based on the content of this field.
e.g.
"Alice's Tracks" is "Playlist is Music" + "Grouping contains Alice" + "Kind contains audio"
"Bob's Videos" is "Playlist is Music" + "Grouping contains Bob" + "Kind does not contain audio"
Tracks that both Alice & Bob want on their iPods have the grouping set to "Alice/Bob"
etc.
This way each of us gets a different selection of content to suit our tastes and the capacity of our iPods. An advantage of using the grouping field is that it is stored in file tags (for non-wav audio files anyway) so that it is relatively easy to recreate the playlists should the iTunes library get trashed. Also useful if you move files about manually as playlist membership is preserved when you delete & re-import the tracks.
However you choose to do things you should also create a backup. My main library gets synced to a portable hard drive using SyncToy 2.1 (Windows) which I sometimes take to work and sync there, giving me three complete copies of my library at any one time and I can update any iPod from any instance of the library. An occasional scan of the contnet folders with iTunes Folder Watch helps me catch up if, for example, a podcast has download at one location but the library is overwritten with a newer version from the other.
Hope that's given you some useful food for thought...
tt2

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Maybe here
How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer
You can have an unlimited number of devices that you own or control for private use tied to one iTunes account. But you have only have five tied to one iCloud account.
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MacMost Now 653: Setting Up Multiple iOS Devices For Messages and FaceTime

How do I set up multiple IPOD's on one computer?

Hi I have 2 IPOD (kids) and one IPAD (mine). How do I set them up where I can control the content that get's loaded on them independantly? Eg. Some songs I only want on IPAD or vice versa. I currently have all devices linked to one account.

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How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495

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Using one store account for multiple iPods and users, and having different iTunes gift cards to redeem per user, when entering the card info using Redeem function, does the store account list the distinct gift cards to select when making a purchase or automatically charge the cc on file? Bottom line, want to be able to make purchases and select the CC or gift card to charge against.
Thanks

does the store account list the distinct gift cards to select when making a purchase or automatically charge the cc on file?
No.
It charges gift cards first, then from CC.
If you have different users, they should create their own iTunes account and add their gift cads to their own account.

Multiple iPod users on one computer, one iTunes

Need help.
We have 3 iPod 5th generation using one computer and each of us have different tastes in music/movies/games etc. I just spent 6 hours redoing my personal setting to resync my iPod after my son reset it for his tastes. Is there any way of setting up preferences within iTunes for each iPod to prevent or elivate this total waste of time. When adding new music, audiobooks, and/or movies it should be a no-brainer to resync them but it is a total pain-in-the-arse.
Thank you

When the iPods belong to different people, there are basically three ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
a) Sharing a single iTunes library
b) Creating Multiple Libraries in a single user account
c) Creating multiple user accounts.
Note: When you are sharing an iTunes library, you don't have to set each iPod to update in the same manner, you can mix and match from the options below as each iPod has it's own update settings
Sharing a Library and/or User Account
If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish): iPod - Syncing Music
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for the iPod and drag the tracks you want into it. If you tire of the list and want to change it, you just add or remove the songs you don't want. The ones you take out out remain in the library to be used some other time if you choose. You can read more about playlists at these links:
iTunes: Creating playlists of your favorite songs
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
Or you can choose to update any or all of the iPods manually and just drag whatever content you want to them: Managing content manually on iPod
Loading the iPod shuffle differs slightly but it can still be used with the others, for details have a look at this page: Adding songs to iPod shuffle - Windows
Multiple Libraries
It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Shift key in Windows when launching iTunes 7. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to the other Library.
Note: You can only have one Library open at a time and iTunes will default to the last library opened if you don't use the keyboard command to choose one. This can prove tricky when using multiple iPods, if you don't use the keyboard command you can risk syncing to the wrong library: Using multiple iTunes libraries -Windows
Separate User Accounts
Another option is to create a separate User account for each person on your PC or Mac. Different accounts by definition would give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one. The iPod can be set to update however the owner chooses, sync all, manual or sync specific playlists
I don't use Windows so I can't give you a step by step on that one, however I can point you to another web page which should help you out. You can read about Windows user accounts here: Using Windows XP User Accounts

Multiple ipods users and one computer

Our household has several iPods but use one computer. I just purchased a new iPod and when I connected to the computer (Windows XP) it allowed me to identify my ipod but sunced the other ipod user's music. I'm lost - how can I or can I maintain 2 different syncs?

When the iPods belong to different people, there are basically three ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
a) Sharing a single iTunes library
b) Creating Multiple Libraries in a single user account
c) Creating multiple user accounts.
Note: When you are sharing an iTunes library, you don't have to set each iPod to update in the same manner, you can mix and match from the options below as each iPod has it's own update settings
Sharing a Library and/or User Account
If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish): Loading songs onto iPod automatically - Windows
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for the iPod and drag the tracks you want into it. If you tire of the list and want to change it, you just add or remove the songs you don't want. The ones you take out out remain in the library to be used some other time if you choose. You can read more about playlists at these links:
iTunes: Creating playlists of your favorite songs
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
Or you can choose to update any or all of the iPods manually and just drag whatever content you want to them: Managing content manually on iPod
Loading the iPod shuffle differs slightly but it can still be used with the others, for details have a look at this page: Loading songs onto iPod shuffle - Windows
Multiple Libraries
It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Shift key (or the Option key on a Mac) when launching iTunes 7. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to the other Library.
Note: You can only have one Library open at a time and iTunes will default to the last library opened if you don't use the keyboard command to choose one. This can prove tricky when using multiple iPods, if you don't use the keyboard command you can risk syncing to the wrong library: Using multiple iTunes libraries -Windows
Separate User Accounts
Another option is to create a separate User account for each person on your PC or Mac. Different accounts by definition would give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one. The iPod can be set to update however the owner chooses, sync all, manual or sync specific playlists
I don't use Windows so I can't give you a step by step on that one, however I can point you to another web page which should help you out. You can read about Windows user accounts here: Using Windows XP User Accounts

Multiple Ipod users for one computer

How do you set up Itunes for 2 Ipods running through one computer/Itunes?
Thanks!

If both iPods have all the same music in their iTunes libraries (or if they're using the exact same iTunes Library) and both have the option selected to Sync All Selected Songs ... then they'll both have everything on them.
If you go by the two user accounts method, make sure the iPod is set to sync only selected songs/videos/etc, and then that ONLY the songs, etc, they want are selected.
If you use the playlists method, make sure that each iPod is set up to sync only the playlists they want. Personally, I'm using the playlist method for my two iPods. The other iPod's in the house use yet another method that is much more complicated and involves creating multiple iTunes libraries for the same account.
To answer the question of the "Privaledges" question, I think you were trying to go by the two accounts method. If so, the account installing iTunes has to have Administration rights. But once it's installed once, you can RUN it from multiple accounts without installing it again. Just browse to the iTunes.exe file and run it in the other account. When it runs, iTunes will probably load with an empty Library.
This happens because iTunes just created a new library file in the new account's "My Music\iTunes\" folder. That's a good thing. Then if you go to iTunes Preferences and change the location of the iTunes library to where all the music is, and let iTunes manage your music folders, it will add everything to the new library file.
Now, both accounts have the exact same files added to their independent Libraries. From here, they can Un-click or delete the songs they don't want in their library--just make sure to let the users/kids know NOT to Click "Move to the Recycle Bin". That will delete the file so that neither account can access it. When they delete files the other user may want, they'll have to select "Keep File(s)".
But then, they should have their own private music libraries WITHOUT actually having the music stored in two separate locations, possibly making lots of duplicates and wasting hard drive space. I'm pretty sure in both Windows XP and Windows Vista you can change the permissions of user accounts to where they CAN'T delete files, and that may actually be something you'll want to try if you think they'll just end up deleting each other's music permanently.

Multiple ipods on under same account

Is it possible to use multiple ipod systems under the same account? I have a nano that is currently synced with my itunes and I recently found my old mini that still works. I have thought I could download my kids' songs on the mini that way if something happens to it, I won't be upset.
SG

I currently sync my old iPod for Video 5G, my 1st Gen iPod Touch, my 3rd Gen iPod Touch, my iPhone 3G, and my new iPhone 4 all to the same library using the same account.
I seem to recall that before it used to allow me to sync multiple devices at the same time, as long as I had open USB ports to plug them into. I have recently seen that now, if I have an iPod Touch or iPhone connected & syncing, the computer doesn't seem to see a second one if it is connected, but as soon as the first device is ejected, the second one is picked-up and synced just fine.

How can I use multiple ipad's on one account without sharing individuals personal email accounts?

Is it possible to have multiple ipads on one account and share info, but also allow the individual users to have personal email that is not seen on the other ipad's? We have all ipads on same icloud account because we all need to see the same ical. It seems like that's the problem. If it IS related to icloud then if we have separate icloud accounts, how would we share the main ical otherwise? Sharing the ical is very important for this business so everyone can access the daily schedule. Of course each user still wants to have private email.
Hope this wasn't too confusing!
Thanks!
Doreen

you could set up the main icloud itunes acount for ical and not have in setup on the devices
and share the calandar with the other itunes accounts on the devices
or only have it on one device
devices have the users indervidual itunes icloud setup
they should be able to access the shared "main" itunes icloud ical account once it's shared
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57542557-285/three-methods-for-sharing-an-ic loud-calendar/
if the devices are company owned you could go futher and setup find my iphone on the main itunes account
and not on the user icloud accounts

How do i set up multiple ipods on the same account

I have two Ipod touch, each child has their own. I am unable to figure out how to set them up as seperate devices on my itunes acct. Any advice would be great.

See:
How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer

How to sync multiple iPods & iPhones to one iMac?

Ok, so my problem is that my whole family syncs their Apple electronics to one computer and we all get our information mixed up. For example, my notes end up on my brother's iPod while my dad's contacts, end up on my iPod. Please help me get this all straightened out?? Thank you!

Hello MariBe,
And welcome to  Discussions!
Perhaps this  support document can assist you.
[How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer|http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1495]
B-rock

Help! multiple ipod's on one PC

i'm sure i'm being really dumb but I need help. I have my ipod and itunes running fine on my PC. I have just got my girlfriend an ipod. Do i need to add a second version of itunes on my PC, i have tried but my computer won't let me. Please help

Hi all,
I'm having a different problem that maybe you can help me with. I'm using multiple iPods on one PC. I read the apple explanation suggested earlier in this thread and it doesn't seem to address my issue. I downloaded a free music video from iTunes and was able to drag and drop it from my purchased folder to my iPod classic 30g. When I try to drag and drop it to my wife's iPod nano 4th gen 4g, it won't let me drop it to hers. I get the circle with the left to right slash when trying to put the video on the Nano. Any ideas? Is it because it was free that it won't allow me to put it on another iPod? How does iTunes know which iPod I'm trying to put it on? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Multiple iPods, multiple computers, one account???

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