Multiple Users -- Multiple iTunes Libraries

In order to teach my kids computer responsibilities, I have created accounts for each of them. As time has gone, by and numerous iTunes gift cards each has a library of tunes and movies. Each has their own iPod which is bound to their account library. Now they want ot share, how do I do this? When I plug an iPod into iTunes of another person account it wants to erase the whole thing before allowing one song to be put onto the iPod. How do I overcome this serious limitation within a computer OS which supports seperation of users.
Thanks

I suggest reading up on these (it says multiple computers, but it works in your case as well):
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61675
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42673
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195

Similar Messages

  • How can I have multiple users on iTunes (in order to connect to a shared office iPad)?

    How can I have multiple users on iTunes (in order to connect to a shared office iPad)? Currently each of us has our own iTunes account, so I've made an "all office" Apple ID. However, I can't seem to get two different accounts (my personal and the office) to work on my machine. Even when I login as "the office", my personal library is still showing. Additionally, when I try to setup with a first-time use in iTunes, I get an error that I don't meet the minimum age requirement - no matter what birthdate I enter!

    The library exists regardless of which user is logged in.
    The only way around that is to create different user accounts on the computer.
    There is no way to have 20 unique iTunes users access a shared iTunes under a single login on the computer.

  • Multiple Users, Multiple iPods sync problem

    At home my iMac is set up with multiple accounts for my family members, 2 have iPod Nano's and I've an iPhone. Each of us has our own iTunes library. Now, a lot of the time I will stay logged in and just return to the log in window. Same goes with the kids who do the same (Time limited accounts means this happens quite often as they don't get logged off automatically).
    Up until 9.1 iTunes (I think, could have been 9.0) everything worked fine. I would leave my iTunes running constantly - this allowed me to stream over to our Airport Express units using the iPhone Remote app whenever I felt the need.... However, we've now run into a problem.
    More often than not my daughter will log in, dock her iPod and it won't show up on her iTunes - instead I have to switch to my user account where I'll find it showing up on MY iTunes! I then have to shut down my iTunes to allow her to sync her iPod with her iTunes.
    This didn't used to happen, it used to be that the user who was CURRENTLY logged on would get the plugged in iPod but that appears to be totally broken - I can't find any documents that say this is the way it was meant to work, searching the 'net for multiple users, multiple iTunes turns up so much that it's impossible to find any related issue.
    Is anybody else noticing this? Am I doing something daft wanting to use iPods & iTunes like this? Any suggestions on how to fix the issue?
    Thanks for any help!

    Chris CA wrote:
    it used to be that the user who was CURRENTLY logged on
    But according to your post, other users are still CURRENTLY logged on.
    Ok, so 'logged on' is vague, the other users are still logged on. I mean the user that has the desktop focus. The active user.
    a lot of the time *_I will stay logged in_* and just return to the log in window. Same goes with the kids who do the same (Time limited accounts means this happens quite often as *_they don't get logged off_* automatically).
    You can set System prefs - Security to log users off after xx minutes of inactivity.
    Yes, you can, but that does not solve the issue on 2 levels:
    1. If I did that then I couldn't leave my iTunes logged in to be able to stream from it to my Airport Express units. I'd have to manually go to the iMac and log myself in - which would kinda defeat the benefit of being able to control this all remotely as I've been doing perfectly happily for the past couple of years. 9 times out of 10 I don't want to be logged off for any number of reasons.
    2. As I said, some members of the household have Time Limits on their accounts via Parental Controls. This does not log users off, it merely drops them back to the login window. There is no way that I know of setting this up to actually log off. As a side issue, it'd be great if I could specify that for certain members of the family who use up all their time and get pushed back to the login window with Flash games running in a browser window consuming CPU unnecessarily... but that's a side-issue.
    You can send suggestions for iTunes here -> http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html
    Um, ok, great, suggestion: Make iTunes work the way it used to work please . Seriously though, this is not a new feature request, I want to see if other people have experienced this and if there is a work-around out there.

  • One Computer, Multiple Users, Multiple iTunes Libraries

    Hello
    My family shares a single Mac via Fast User Switching. We all have separate iTunes libraries. I had some difficulty getting TV to be able to use all of the iTunes libraries as alternate sources for streaming music. I'm posting this here as I've noticed a couple of questions here about it with no solutions.
    The symptom is that you are able to add the multiple libraries to TV by entering the passcode in iTunes but when you try to the new source, it fails to load the library. 'Loading <library> name ...' goes on forever or eventually gives up and then the library appears grey in the source list and you have to go through the registration process again. Music sharing appears to work between copies of iTunes running on the same computer.
    It's a firewall problem.
    It seems that iTunes choose a new TCP port to share each different library. For me it seems to allocate ports in the 4915x range. I can't find any documentation about this. The ports are not listed in the well known list for Apple products. I discovered it because the Windows version of iTunes has an informative error message that tells you to check that a particular port is open in the firewall for the particular library when it fails to load it.
    To fix it you just need to open these ports in the Mac's firewall. After that, provided all the users remain logged in with iTunes running, you will be able to stream their libraries.
    I hope this helps others to get it working more quickly than I did.
    I see that there are some Apple employees participating in these discussions. If you see this, maybe you could modify the documentation? Or add the solution to the How-To pages? I'll submit some feedback anyway.

    I wrote a simple shell script that executes each time a user logs in (well, actually, each time I log in, coz' it's not really applicable to other users). It syncs my work and home addressbooks and iCal calendars to one another.
    I named it "sync". Then I read somewhere that if you wanted to make it double-clickable (to launch it from the Finder), I appended a ".command" filename extension (so it's now named "sync.command"). I also did a chmod 755 to that file so that it had execute privileges. Depending on whether you give each user their own copy of this thing, or keep a single copy in, say, the /Users/Shared directory, you may have to play around with chmod. Whatever, just so long as the user that has just logged in has execute permissions to the file, and to the entire path to the file, you should be good.
    Then, in SysPrefs > Accounts > Login Items, I added that "sync.command" file to the list. So, really the only difference is I'm not wrapping mine inside an Automator script like you are.
    I had tried adding it to ~/Library/LaunchAgents and make a launchd plist for it, that would kick it off at login. But I didn't get that to work. Don't know why. But just adding the double-clickable executable unix script to the Login Items list did the trick. Whether the plist has to hang out there with it, I don't know. I still have it there, though, in case I ever get motivated to figure out what's wrong with my launchd plist file. So, if just adding it to the Login Items list doesn't do it for you, you could try making a (functional?) launchd plist for it and plopping them both in ~/Library/LaunchAgents, too. That's how I am now, and, like I said, it launches at user login as that user's process (not as a root process like the above referenced article said how login hooks worked -- although, you may want it to run as root since you want this to work with multiple users...in which case, you might want to listen to Cole and not me...).

  • Multiple users using iTunes

    My wife has had an iPod and has already set up iTunes. I recently purchased an iPod and everytime I link my iPod to the computer, it configures the way she already had her iPod set up. Now when I make changes to the iTunes by setting up new folders or uploading my CDs, she will plug her iPod into the computer and it will change her iPod to what changes I have made. And the samething happens when she makes changes, it effects my iPod. Any thoughts as to how we can set up 2 different accounts and the changes I make will not effect her? Please help my marriage. Thanks.

    There are basically two ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
    a) Sharing a single iTunes library and or user account or
    b) Creating multiple user accounts.
    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
    It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Option key (or 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

  • IPod Nano: Multiple Users- Single iTunes

    We just bought an ipod nano for a second family member. Do I need to install a second itunes so we don't get the libraries mixed up, or is there an easier way?

    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 (every account uses the same iTunes program executable from your Programs File so it doesn't have to be installed more than once).
    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
    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 Option key (or 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 macs & different iTunes libraries with iCloud

    I have multiple macs with different iTunes libraries, and I don't want to blend them.  What do I need to know/do before setting up and using iCloud?  I don't mind choosing one library for use with iCloud, but I don't want to disturb the other libraries - although I do want to continue to sync calendars, address book, etc. on each computer.  Can I have more than one computer having the same iTunes library?
    Thanks for any feedback!
       Keith

    Until I tunes match comes out it does not matter.  I cloud is for e mail, contacts, and calendars.  Your I cloud ID MUST be an @me.com ID.

  • Multiple users sharing itunes songs?

    hi,
    my family shares our imac (me, wife, 2 daughters) and we all have our own identity/logon. we also all have our own devices such as ipods that we use to synch our own itunes libraries. we also all listen to some of the same music. i'm the admin on the imac and have moved my itunes library to the itunes music folder for the shared user so i can add the songs we all want to each itunes library. when i go to add these songs to someones itunes library, some songs purchased from itunes don't show up when logged on as another user other than me. logged in as me, i see everything.
    have i done something wrong? any suggestions on how to do this?
    thanks!
    tony

    what you can try is to authorize iTunes on each account (login, identity) to play/use content purchased with the other iTMS accounts.
    for example, authorize daughter #1's iTunes to play music purchased with your, the wife's, and her sister's iTMS accounts.
    authorizing iTunes for additional iTMS accounts is basically very easy. all you have to do is +log out+ of one account (click on the account name in the iTunes store window and select +sign out+ from the pop-up dialog) and into the other, and then they will both be authorized. (be sure to just *log out*, not de-authorize ).
    JGG

  • Multiple Libraries for Multiple Users on iTunes

    Is there a way - using iTunes 7 - to have multiple libraries? Our family shares a computer and I would love to have separate libraries.
    Thanks.
    Tas804

    Hi there
    Hold down the 'alt' key for a couple of seconds when you launch iTunes from the dock.
    You should get a prompt to create a new library, or choose another library to launch.
    Good luck
    noel

  • Help with icloud and multiple users in iTunes

    Our family music is under my iTunes/apple id.  My mother, husband and I all synch to iTunes on one computer.  Can we set up multiple icloud accounts for synching our contacts separately?

    Yes, that's the usual advice - everyone use the one itunes account and each user has his/her own icloud account.

  • HT1420 Can multiple users have Itunes accounts on the same computer?

    New to the Mac. Can my wife and I have separate iTunes directories on the same computer accessed based on our login?

    Yes. This happens automatically with different user accounts on the computer, and can be manually set up for a single account by launching iTunes with the Option key held down.
    (94685)

  • How do I synch multiple iPhone iPod iTunes libraries?

    ppurchases were made on 2 iphones and 1 iPad.  How do I synch the libraries?

    Open itunes plug in iphone. go to msuic tab, select what you want and sync.
    Have a look at the manual:
    http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iphone_user_guide.pdf

  • Help with multiple users in iTunes

    Dear all
    I seem to have made a right mess of iTunes. It all started with my 80gb Classic ipod and iTunes on my Toshiba Windows 8 laptop. All was fine then my daughter got an iPod touch and I think here was where I made my first mistake. I setup a new iTunes account and used my wifes email address as her Apple ID. Again all was well because we also have Windows 7 laptop in the house.
    Next my daughter got an iphone 4s so the ipod was given to us and I added it to my iTunes account in devices. This seemed to be ok and all was well again. My wife then also bought an iphone 4s and this is where I think I made my next mistake. I had to get my daughter to change her apple ID so that my wife could have her old email address back but this seemed to be ok. Are you still with me
    Last night my daughter decided to buy an album on iTunes on her phone but iTunes began asking her for the answers to security questions. We are certain that we didnt setup any security questions & answers so were mystified. I logged into iTunes and it defaulted to my wifes account but it was showing the voucher and it was showing the ipod touch in devices. I signed out then back into my daughters account and it was still showing the voucher but still showing the ipod touch in devices. I went ahead and clicked buy album of my daughters choice and it immediately began to download to her iphone.
    So im in a bit of a mess as you can see if you have been kind enough to read this far. I dont know what to do except somebody suggested just having one account but the problem is with icloud as my wife & daughter will want some privacy and if we are all on the same ID everyone sees the same thing ?
    Help !!

    Yes, that's the usual advice - everyone use the one itunes account and each user has his/her own icloud account.

  • How do I set up multiple users on itunes.

    My two kids have my old phones and I want to set up apps and music for them and keep separate from mine...they are too young to have their own itunes account. Can anyone point me in the right direction

    Log into the user account on your Mac, open iTunes, make sure the account is set up and autosync disabled in iTunes/Settings/Devices.
    Connect the phone, right click on it in the device list and choose backup. This manual backup will save all data and settings. Do the same for the purchases, to copy apps and bought media.
    Set up at least one contact and event, to be able to merge contact and calendars during the first sync.
    Let iTunes set up and erase the phone and use the manual backup to restore from.
    All content should be back on the phone again.
    Music and apps can also be downloaded again for free: Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
    Message was edited by: Ingo2711

  • Using 1 public Windows 7 folder, how do multiple users share itunes music?

    I have 4 users on Windows 7 which use iTunes under the same Apple account. All of the music files are in the same public folder, but not listed in each each user's library. How can I have these music files automatically appear in each user's library?

    Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923

Maybe you are looking for