One library on multiple computers

I have my iTunes library on an external firewire drive that I move between 3 Macs. Is there any way to not have to make iTunes organize it every time? It seems some songs get missed and then when I switch computers other songs have been moved so they are not found. How can I do this easily?

Similar Messages

Using one library for multiple computers and accounts (not store accounts)

Okay, we currently have four macs in the house. One was recently bought: i7 iMac (late 2009), another is dying: (mid 2005 iMac), another is going somewhere else: (late 2006 iMac) and another is a laptop: C2D MBP (late 2008). We might add another computer into the mix some time later.
Anyway, what I want to do is have one iTunes library which all of the computers can access (even guest's/friend's computers). We have a Time Capsule, and as I have heard one can make the TC the HDD for the iTunes library, I thought it best for it to be there.
The only thing is, how can each computer (and the possible multiple accounts) each access the same library, without duplicating and messing anything up? Is that possible? If it is too hard for multiple computers to do this, I would still want the (late 2009) iMac to be able to use the same library for the two accounts on it.
Thanks.

Make sure everything you want to share is on the centralized drive (music, video, and books, but if any of you have mobile devices, keep the apps on your local drive). Mount the drive on your computer. (Remember, from now on you must do this before starting iTunes.) If iTunes isn't running, start it now.
At the moment iTunes thinks the library is on the local computer and has all the music on it so that has to be changed. Click on Music in the left window pane, select all, and delete. This deletes all the music from the library and, if you choose, from the computer too. (Until you are sure this set-up is to your liking, don't delete the music from the drive.) Now go to Preferences and select the Advanced tab. Set iTunes to look at the music folder on your shared drive. And finally, select File>Add to Library to repopulate your iTunes library. This could take a while if you have a large music collection.
Since you changed the music location, anything that is added to one person's library will be saved onto the shared drive so it isn't too much of a hassle to manually add music. You'll have to rebuild playlists which is a minor hassle but it’s a one time deal.

Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?

Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?
note: one library universally shared, not Home Sharing (one library each, shared to each.)
I want to share one library stores on my server and access it through various local computers. When I buy a song from a computer (non-server), I want it to be added to the library (stored on server). I want it to auto copy to my server, for organization. I want to be able to sync my phone from any computer.
Most of this I can do, if i figure out how to use one universal library for all my computers.
Any ideas how I can do this?

eyeinit,
You can authorize your iTunes account on up to 5 computers at a time.
However, purchased music is downloaded to the first machine to download it, but these articles have more information on moving your music between authorized computers:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93063
This one is for moving all your music using an iPod as a storage drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
Hope this helps,
Nathan C.

Having one iTunes music library for multiple computers via TimeCapsule

Hi there,
I'm just wondering how to best set-up my iTunes library. I want the library on my TimeCapsule wireless hard drive, and to be able to set this as the library for multiple computers at home. It's a waste of space to have duplicate libraries on both computers.I had this working with an earlier version of iTunes, but its not working now.
I also want to know how I can get the wireless device to fire up simply by pressing the iTunes icon. If I do this without, iTunes says it can't find the library.
Thanks.

Frank, yes. Only one library of the songs and content if it's stuff from the Music Store.
If the music is your own CD rips, then you can put all the music on a central server and have all the computers connect in on your home network.
You do NOT set your iTunes to share their libraries, or look for shared libraries, you manually do the drag-and-drop with your networked music folder into the iTunes library window and each copy of iTunes behaves as if the network volume is it's own.
The only shortcoming to this is if you add music with one machine, the others will NOT have the new songs added to their own library lists unless you drag and drop the songs into the iTunes library manually for each computer.
I have enough music that I have broken down the library list into five folders, A-E, F-J, K-O, P-T, and U-Z. When I add new songs, the folders they're in will be added at the root Music Library folder level, so I can refresh the libraries with the new music THEN manually file it into one of those five correct folders.
This is what my network library looks like:
http://home.comcast.net/~foodandart/Network%20Library.jpg - you can see that I haven't added the Clapton, BBC, Roxy Music, etc, to the library lists for the entire house.
The G4 frankenbeast computer in our living room, is the media server for the house and has the stereo system rigged through it and is used to rip vinyl and watch the video. I still have to refresh the libraries in my husband's laptop, and on my main internet computer, so those albums haven't been filed yet.
Of course the caveat here is that I haven't a single item that's purchased through the Music Store and thusly locked down, since I rip my own LP's and CD's, so everything is much more flexible in how I can handle it.
Deb.

Syncing the same iTunes library among multiple computers

I have two computers, a Windows 7 laptop and a new iMac. iTunes on both computers are signed into the same Apple ID. I currently have my iTunes library on my laptop, but I would like to also have the exact same library on my iMac. For instance, if I download a new podcast to my laptop, it should be placed on my iMac as well. When I delete the podcast, it should be deleted on the iMac too. When song metadata is updated on my laptop (play count, lyrics, etc), I want it updated on the iMac automatically.
I have not had much experience with Home Sharing, but would that do all of this automatically? I know I could manually transfer songs from one computer to the other using Home Sharing, but what about updated metadata or deleting files?
iCloud has made this situation more interesting. I know iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match will keep music files in sync among various devices (including metadata?), but what about podcasts or movies or files not purchased via iTunes? I know there are plenty of details that are yet to be released concerning iCloud, but do you think it will solve this problem entirely, or will manual labor be required to obtain the exact same library among multiple computers?
I have considered only using my iMac to maintain my library, since it is always on and I could use Home Sharing to listen to music on my laptop since they are on the same Wifi network. However, I feel it would be best to keep the same library on two computers for when I take my laptop on vacation away from my home network.
What would you suggest for this situation?
Thanks!

sorry about the slight irrelevence of this post on this thread....i saw this much older post you had in my explorations and it is almost to a "T" my issue currently and i was wondering if you ever came to a conclusion or had any tips or resolution paths i could explore. your original message:
     I have 2 computers I'd like to set up Home Sharing on. One is Windows XP and the other is Windows 7.
     I set it all up but then the libraries never show up. Nothing happens.
     The computers are on the same network and I can successfully share files and a printer. Both computers are      authorized using the same account. Both are signed into that account.
     I don't know why it's not working. Can you please help?
          Thanks!!
is EXACTLY my problem with the only variable being that both of my computers run 7. furthermore, you went on to say you were experiencing issues with the "remote" app. that was the initial objective for me in my system that got me here with a deeper problem with home share. i want to home share my itunes library and control it from my iPod touch 4g. is that such an unreasonable request?!?!? lol. i'm incredibly frustrated and was hoping that since you had such specifically similar circumstances....have you found a solution? PLEASE HELP!!! thank you so much for your time.

Same iTunes Library on Multiple Computers

I was wondering whether someone could help me out a little here. I have 3 computers at home. A MacBook Pro, a Windows Vista Laptop and a Windows Vista desktop PC. Both my Wife and I have iPods (mine an iPhone and hers an 8Gb 2nd Generation Nano).
What I want to be able to do is access my iTunes music collection (the music files are currently stored on the MacBook) through any computer in the house (I have wireless through Time Capsule). This I am told is easy through iTunes sharing, however this does not allow you to connect your iPod to any machine and update it, as sharing does allow this.
Is there a way of storing the iTunes library and files on one machine, like a central server and then you can play music from any computer (perhaps using iTunes on that machine) and you can also plugin your iPod/iPhone into any machine in order to update it?
Looking forward to hearing peoples suggestions on this one.
Thanks.

Hello
Try this website:
http://theappleblog.com/2008/10/13/one-itunes-library-on-multiple-computers/
I have been using this solution with my Library and Music situated on a NAS for awhile now with great success.
Hope this helps.
Kevin

Using the same library with multiple computers over a network Use Aperture

Hi Everyone. I am researching some cataloguing/editing programs to recommend one to my boss, and I was wondering if it was possible to use the same library between multiple computers on a network. Does anyone know if this is possible? This may be what makes or breaks the decision on whether or not to go with Aperture as we need a program that can access a large database of photos on multiple computers.
Thank you.

Welcome to the forum.
You can do it, but...
It's not supported by Apple.
Performance won't be great unless you're running a really fast network.
If more than one person tries to access the Library at one time you're likely to end up with a corrupted database, and there's no code in Aperture to limit access to one person at a time.
The Library must be stored on an HFS+ volume - don't even try putting it on a FAT32-formatted drive.
If you want 'proper' multi-concurrent-user network-enabled cataloguing software you're looking into a whole different level of investment than the low price of Aperture - think more in terms of thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
Ian

HT1206 Lots of info about one user using multiple computers. What about multiple users with separate Apple IDs using same computer? Having problems getting my wifes new iPhone talking to her apple account on the computer we share (2 users)

Lots of info about one user using multiple computers. What about multiple users with separate Apple IDs using same computer? Having problems getting my wifes new iPhone talking to her apple account on the computer we share (2 users)

You need to create a user account for your wife (or yourself depending on who has the current user account). When syncing, each of you should sign in as a separate user, login to iTunes and then sync. I had this problem when my sister got an iPhone. When we did her initial sync, everything on my iPhone showed up on hers. Apple gave me this solution.

Grant RDP access to ONE user on multiple computers !

I want to Grant RDP access to ONE user on multiple computers using PowerShell.
List of computer names are stored in an excel sheet.
Can this be done easily ?
Thanks, Yeleshwar

Hi, this script add users to remote desktop users group.
$InputServers = Import-Csv "c:\servers.csv"
$InputUsers = Import-Csv "c:\users.csv"
$Servercount = 1
$ServerCountTotal = $InputServers.Count
$InputServers | ForEach-Object {
$ServerTemp=$_.ComputerName
"Starting " + $Servercount + " of " + $Servercounttotal + " : " + $ServerTemp
$InputUsers | ForEach-Object {
$objUser = [ADSI]("WinNT://" + $_.Username )
$objGroup = [ADSI]("WinNT://" + $ServerTemp +"/Remote Desktop Users")
$objGroup.PSBase.Invoke("Add",$objUser.PSBase.Path)
"Complete " + $Servercount + " of " + $Servercounttotal + " : " + $ServerTemp
$Servercount++
Servers.csv has a header of “ComputerName” and then a list of servers you want to affect one per line.
Users.csv has a header of “UserName” and then a list of user names Domain/User one per line.
check this blog > http://www.blackops.ca/cms/blog/?p=215

Using single iTunes library for multiple computers

With the new Airport Disk utility, can I attach an external hard drive with my iTunes library and have multiple computers point to that library as the library for each?

BKRonline wrote:
neptune2000 wrote:
A BIG WARNING (...) If you are a good guy and use ONLY one computer to read/write (i.e., to copy music to it) and all the others are read only (which cannot be enforced in software), then you're OK. Consider yourself warned.
just to clarify...
Use ONE computer and ONE COMPUTER ONLY for purchasing / adding new content to the 'master' iTunes library area. Use ANY OTHER COMPUTER that's looking at that 'master' iTunes library for reading (playing back).
Yes. If you can enforce it by "persuasion", not software
Would there be a conflict if someone rates songs from other computers etc?
Yes. If they both rate at the same time.

How do I Create and Manage one library for several computers

As our family has grown over the years, we have 4 kids and 6 macs and duplicate images scattered thought all the separate computers in their own libraries. Is there a way to create and manage one central library that all computers access? That way we can reduce the headaches when we need an image and have to go to each computer and search it's library. Not to mention when we need to jump on a computer and it doesn't happen to be the one we have our library on and need to download our pictures and they end up forever lost on a different computer.

You cannot share a library over the network, since a library needs to be on a locally mounted volume, but you can put a shared library onto a "sneaker drive" and plug it into each of your mad in turn, see Apple's support document:
iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201517
iPhoto does not support to merge libraries. But iPhoto Library Manager can.
You can download it here: http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/
See : http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/Help/merging%20libraries.html
Or, if you have Aperture, you can use it to merge libraries. Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries

Can I setup common iPhoto library for multiple computers...

Hi -
Is it possible to have one library that is accessible from multiple computers in different locations? For example, my office Mac, my home Powerbook and our vacation home iMAC can all share the same photo library? I am downloading pictures from many different sources and in different locations and would like a centralized library.. I guess this would be the equivalent of cloud computing for iPhoto...
Thanks,
M.

Possibly. I've not used the feature but if you have a MMe account you could setup "Back to my Mac" so that two of your Macs could access the Mac designated to house the library you might be able to do what you want. It would be best to have an external FW hard drive connected to that library to house the library.
I've used an iPhoto library on my iMac from my laptop on our home WAN. But that was with Screen Sharing. Don't know if the Back to My Mac method would work.
I've used VNC to connect to my iMac from the laptop but don't know if that will let me add photos to the library there as that method has me virtually on the iMac. You could try it with a test library and one of the VNC applications. I use Chicken of VNC. You must setup Remote Management under Sharing on the host computer and install CVNC on the remote Macs. Create a test library and give it a try. Both with VNC and Back to My Mac if you have it.
If any of the two satellite Macs would be wirelessly connected that will be a problem due to occasional dropouts. If a wireless Mac was using the library and had a dropout that could damage the library's database and require some rebuilding effort which may or may not be 100% effective. That connection would also be slow.
If they are hard wired to the internet it would be much more probable that it would work as you'd like and be more reliable.
An alternative method for "syncing" the libraries (if you have a MMe account) would be to create iPhoto MMe galleries of new photos from each Mac with the option for downloading the full sized image file. Once each Mac has downloaded and imported the new photos the gallery could be deleted.

ITunes Library on Multiple Computers

I have an iMac, an iBook and a Touch. Sometimes I buy songs on my iMac. Sometimes I buy songs on my iBook. I hook up to both computers to get my Podcasts updated. Sometimes I hook to the iMac, and it asks me if I want to transfer some songs from the iPod. Sometimes I hook to the iBook, and it asks me if I want to transfer some songs from my iPod. Yet, the iTunes library's are not the same.
I would like to hook to either machine and maintain the same content on my Touch, but it won't let me. Every time I switch from one machine to another, it wipes out the content I loaded from the other machine.
Is there a way to sync the two library's, and hook to either machine for syncing my Touch?

No, the iPod Touch will sync to only one iTunes library at a time. When you sync to another library, the music and videos from the first library are erased. You need to consolidate your stuff into one library. There are several 3rd party utilities that will sync your music folders. This is just one of them: http://www.decimus.net/synk_standard.php

One Library for multiple users?

I did not realize that the library would be tied to a specific user on a computer. Is it possible for 2 users to share the same library? I created a library under my log in, but my wife can not see it when she logs in. If we can't have just one library for the whole computer how can I transfer all the cd's i imported to iTunes to my wife's log in?
Windows XP

these documents might be of some assistance with that:
How to use multiple iPods with one computer
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

Using Aperture Library from Multiple Computers

My Aperture library is on an external drive and I have used multiple computers to add files to the library. Unfortunately when I use a different computer than the origin it tells me that the masters are unavailable and I cannot use the image. It tells me they are offline . Any fixes?

If you put the library entirely on the external drive then no, you won't be able to view previews when the hard drive is disconnected.
To do that, and share edits with your brother, you'll need to import and export projects. It might be possible to use referenced images, and import or export the project without consolidating masters first, if your masters are on the external drive. I think you'll just need to do some testing, and have a read of 'bagelturf's pages about how the library is organised, and how referenced images work.
http://www.bagelturf.com/aparticles/ref/index.html

One library on multiple computers

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for