Sharing iTunes library across computers

Step 5 of the Help file says "select 'Automatically import new purchases from [Computer Name].'" Where is that selection found?

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd be happy to elaborate. In iTunes Help, enter "home sharing" as the search term, and select the top topic, "Sharing your iTunes library across computers." The five items are under the heading, "To import items from other libraries using Home Sharing."
I have gone over the steps again and found my problem. I was signed onto the Store under different names (different Mobile Me email address, both mine) on the two computers. I switched to the same name, then turned Home Sharing off and then on on both computers. When each opened the other's library, the other library window has a Settings button in the lower right hand window. That button produces a pane with setting for automatic transfer.
The Help file could be improved. Or iTunes could recognize multiple email addresses for one Mobile Me account. Thanks again.

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Sharing itunes library across accounts on the same IMac

How do you share your ITunes library with other accounts on the same IMac? There's clear advice how to share it with other networked computers, but how do you do it across accounts on the same IMac?

You can copy the desired library to the shared folder.
You then need to go to each iTunes app. in the various users and change the iTunes music folder location.
Macintosh-HD:Users:shared:iTunes

Sharing iTunes library across 2 Windows user IDs

My Windows XP computer is set up with 2 user accounts. iTunes is installed and all of my music is stored in my Shared Music folder (this folder is in Shared Documents, which is accessible from each user ID).
I want to be able to use iTunes from either Windows user ID. The problem is that iTunes creates and maintains 2 separate iTunes Music Library.xml files. When I'm logged on (user #1), iTunes uses the xml file in my My Documents folder. When my spouse is logged on (user #2), iTunes uses the xml file in her My Documents folder.
This is problematic. If I add a new song to iTunes from my Windows ID (and the song file is placed in the Shared Music folder), it is added to my library and xml file. If my spouse logs on and launches iTunes, the song is NOT in her iTunes library. She has to manually add the file from the iTunes Add File to Library command.
I'd like iTunes to use a single library that both Windows user IDs can use and maintain. I don't want to have to manually try to keep these in sync.
I can't find any setting in iTunes for this, and the user guide doesn't even mention this topic. Any help is appreciated!!!

TheMint,
I think it works like this:
The setting you describe is where iTunes will store the music files themselves (.aac or .mp3, etc.) However, iTunes creates an index of all of your music, and it uses that index to display all of your music in iTunes. The index file is called iTunes Library.xml
The index is stored in the My Documents\My Music folder of the user ID you log in as. Apparently, you cannot tell iTunes to store this in a different location.
So if you create an iTunes library under one Windows user ID, the index is created in that user ID's My Documents\My Music folder. If you then log in as another Windows user ID, iTunes does not see the index that was created by the first Windows user. Thus you do not see any of the music listed in iTunes.

Sharing iTunes library across four User IDs on iMac desktop

I set up three new user names on my Mac desktop to use separate parental controls for my three daughters. Although I shared my iTunes library, only a portion of my 1,300 songs appear in their itunes libraries. (Different number for each of my three daughters, and different songs!) Why might this be and how can I ensure that all of the songs in my library appear in theirs?
Thanks

You can copy the desired library to the shared folder.
You then need to go to each iTunes app. in the various users and change the iTunes music folder location.
Macintosh-HD:Users:shared:iTunes

Sharing iTunes library across accounts on same computer

Hi
I have just bought my first Mac. I have set up an account for me and an account for my wife but I'm wondering if it is possible for us to share the same iTunes library rather than having a lot of duplicate music. Can this be done?
Thanks in advance
Graeme

Oh yes, welcome to Apple, and the Apple forums,
I hope you enjoy your new iMac,
Well, the bad news is I don't think that will work, when I tried it one my computer, one User couldnt access the other's Music folder. However, I do think you could make your iTunes Music Folder be a folder in the Public folder for your account, which would allow anyone on your computer, or on your network, to use it.
To change the location of your music folder to a folder in your Public folder, follow these steps:
-Go to your Music folder (Users-Username-Music)
-Copy the folder called "iTunes"
-Go to that User's Public folder (User-Username-Public)
-Paste your iTunes folder here (depending on the size of the folder, this may take a while)
-In iTunes, go to: iTunes-Preferences-Advanced, and look at the "iTunes Music Folder Location"
-Click the word "Change..." next to it, and choose the new folder (the one you made in the Public folder)( you only have to do this on the account that alread has the music if you want to delete the orignal music folder to save space otherwise leave it as the one in the Music folder for this account)
-Do this for the other account on your Computer, by selecting the same folder in the first user's Public Folder as the new Music Folder.
-Select "Consolidate Library..." from the Advanced menu (not the Advanced menu n Preferences, the one on the bear at the top of the Monitor), this will copy the music from the folder into that iTunes Library.
I sure hope no one else posted an answer while I wrote this, hope it helps.
Edit: I will test this as well.

Problems sharing iTunes library across multiple accounts on one imac

I have followed the Mac OS instructions in this article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 to share music accounts on the family iMac by putting the iTunes Media folder in a public directory. When I go to connect to this library the I cannot see the actual iTunes Media folder but the following file path is available: ~/Public/Automatically Add to iTunes.localized. Selecting this folder does not appear to make the library available.
Has anyone had this problem?

iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189
Chris CA's instructions on sharing one iTunes music library between multiple user accounts - https://discussions.apple.com/message/8974074 - Multiple users using a single library file - similar post at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3753008

HT1203 Problems sharing iTunes library across multiple accounts on one imac

I have followed the Mac OS instructions in this article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 to share music accounts on the family iMac. When I go to connect to this library the I cannot see the actual ITunes Media folder but the following file path: ~/Public/Automatically Add to iTunes.localized. Selecting this folder does not appear to make the library available.
Has anyone had this problem?

You'll likely get better assistance in the iTunes for Mac forum instead of the iTunes for Windows forum where you've posted.

Sharing iTunes purchases across computers

I have a Powerbook G4 and a MacBook Pro, both using the same iTunes account. If I purchase something (say, a television show) and download it to one computer, can I also download the same file from iTunes to the other at no extra cost?
iTunes allows this for free applications when using my iPhone and my iPod Touch (both synching to different computers but using the same account), but I am not clear on whether this principle applies to other content.
If not, is it possible to transfer the files via a flash drive, or will they only play on the computer to which they were downloaded?

Yes, you can. You can only download a track (or video or movie) once, so you'll just have to copy the tracks from one computer to the other. See:
iTunes for Mac: How to copy purchases between authorized computers
Though it refers to items purchased from the iTunes Store, it applies to all your iTunes content.

Sharing an iTunes Library across multiple user account and a network.

Sharing an iTunes Music Library across multiple user accounts.
Hello Everybody!
Firstly, this was designed to be run in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. It will not work with earlier versions of Mac OS X! Sorry.
Here's a handy tip for keeping your hard drive neat and tidy, it also saves space, what in effect will be done is an iTunes music library will be shared amongst multiple users on the same machine. There are advantages and disadvantages to using this method.
• Firstly I think it might be worthwhile to state the advantages and disadvantages to using this approach.
The advantages include:
- Space will be saved, as no duplicate files will occur.
- The administrator will be able to have complete control over the content of the iTunes library, this may be useful for restricting the content of the Library; particularly for example if computer is being used at and education institution, business or any other sort of institution where things such as explicit content would be less favorable.
- The machine will not be slowed by the fact that every user has lots of files.
The disadvantages to this system include.
- The fact that the account storing the music will have to be logged in, and iTunes will have to be active in that account.
- If the account housing the music is not active then nobody can use the iTunes library.
- There is a certain degree of risk present when an administrator account must be continually active.
- Fast User Switching must be enabled.
Overview:
A central account controls all music on the machine/network, this is achieved by storing iTunes files in a public location as opposed to in the user's directory. In effect the system will give all users across the machine/network access to the same music/files without the possibility of files 'doubling up' because two different users like the same types of music. This approach saves valuable disk space in this regard and may therefore prove to be useful in some situations.
This is a hearty process to undertake, so only follow this tutorial if you're willing to go all the way to the end of it.
Process:
Step 1:
Firstly, we need to organize the host library, I tidied mine up, removing excess playlists, random files, things like that. this will make thing a bit easier in the later stages of this process.
Once the library is tidied up, move the entire "iTunes" folder from your Home directory to the "//localhost" directory (The Macintosh HD) and ensure that files are on the same level as the "Applications", "Users", "Library" and "System" directories; this will ensure that the files in the library are available to all users on the machine (this also works for networks)
Optionally you can set the ownership of the folder to the 'administrator' account (the user who will be hosting the library.), you may also like to set the permissions of 'you can' to "Read & Write" (assuming that you are doing this through the user who will host the library); secondly you should set the "Owner" to the administrator who will be hosting the library and set their "access" to "Read & Write" (this will ensure that the administrator has full access to the folder). The final part of this step involves setting access for the "Others" tab to "Read Only" this will ensure that the other users can view but not modify the contents on the folder.
Overview:
So far we have done the following steps:
1. Organized the host library.
2. Placed the iTunes directory into a 'public' directory so that other users may use it. (this step is essential if you plan on sharing the library across multiple accounts on the same machine. NOTE: this step is only necessary if you are wanting to share you library across multiple accounts on the same machine, if you simply want to share the music across a network, use the iTunes sharing facility.
3. set ownership and permissions for the iTunes music folder.
Step 2:
Currently the administrator is the only user who can use this library, however we will address this soon. In this step we will enable iTunes music sharing in the administrator's account, this will enable other users to access the files in the library.
If you are not logged in as the administrator, do so; secondly, open iTunes and select "Preferences" from the "iTunes" menu, now click the "Sharing" tab, if "share my library on my local network" is not checked, the radio buttons below this will now become active, you may choose to share the entire libraries contents, or share only selected content.
Sharing only selected content may be useful if their is explicit content in the library and minors use the network or machine that the library is connected to.
If you have selected "share entire library" go to Step 3, if you have selected share "share selected playlists" read on.
After clicking "share selected playlists" you must then select the playlists that you intend to share across your accounts and network. Once you have finished selecting the playlists, click "OK" to save the settings.
Overview:
In this step we:
1. Enabled iTunes sharing in the administrator's account, now, users on the local network may access the iTunes library, however, users on the same machine may not.
Step 3:
Now we will enable users on the same machine to access the library on the machine. This is achieved by logging in as each user, opening iTunes, opening iTunes preferences, and clicking "look for shared music". now all users on the machine may also access the library that the administrator controls.
This in effect will mean that the user will not need to use their user library, it will be provided to them via a pseudo network connection.
As a secondary measure, I have chosen to write a generic login script that will move any content from the user's "Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" directory to the trash and then empties the user's trash.
This is done through the use of an Automator Application: this application does the following actions.
1. Uses the "Finder" action "Get Specified Finder Items"
1a. The user's "~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" folder
2. Uses the "Finder" action "Get Folder Contents"
3. Uses the "Finder" action "Move to Trash"
4. Uses the "Automator" action "Run AppleScript"
4a. with the following:
on run {input, parameters}
tell application "Finder"
empty trash
end tell
return input
end run
IMPORTANT: Once the script is adapted to the user account it must be set as a login item. in order to keep the script out of the way i have placed it in the user's "Library" directory, in "Application Support" under "iTunes".
Overview:
Here we:
1. Enabled iTunes sharing in the user accounts on the host machine, in effect allowing all users of the machine to view a single iTunes library.
2. (Optional) I have created a login application that will remove any content that has been added to user iTunes libraries, this in effect stops other users of the machine from adding music and files to iTunes.
Step 4:
If it is not already enabled, open system preferences and enable Fast User Switching in Accounts Options.
Summary:
We have shared a single iTunes library across multiple user account, while still allowing for network sharing. This method is designed to save space on machines, particularly those with smaller hard drives.
I hope that this hint proves to be helpful and I hope everybody will give me feedback on my process.
regards,
Pete.
iBook G4; 60GB Hard Drive, 512MB RAM, Airport Extreme Mac OS X (10.4.6) iWork & iLife '06, Adobe CS2, Final Cut Pro. Anything and Everything!!!

how to share music between different accounts on a single computer

I am unable to drag songs from a shared music library between computers. This was working until about a month ago. I have updated to the newest versions of Itunes on both computers (a macbook and an older Toshiba satellite). I have also rebooted both.

I am unable to drage songs from a shared music library between computers.   This used to work perfectly until a month ago.   I have installed the newest version of Itunes on both computers and have rebooted them, but nothing happens when I try to drag a song to another playlist or another shared folder. Any ideas how to fix this?

Have you:
- Restore from backup. See:
iOS: Back up and restore your iOS device with iCloud or iTunes
- Restore to factory settings/new iOS device.
If a PC
Removing and Reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows XP
or
Removing and reinstalling iTunes and other software components for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

HT4914 Can I use iTunes match to share my iTunes library across different users on the same computer?

I'm a teacher and I use my MBP in school and, while I've not had any issues with students looking through my computer, I'd like to use a seperate 'school' user just in case. I need to have access to my iTunes library and I tried moving it to a shared folder but, possibly because of the size of my library, itdoesn't seem to work. Is there a way I can use iTunes match to enable my 'school' user to access my library in the same way I can with my iPhone?

Hey darkmavis86,
Great question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
I believe you would benefit from the following article:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
However, if you do decide to use iTunes Match the answer to your question is "Yes". iTunes Match can be used to "sync" your iTunes library across multiple devices / computers / users.
Thanks,
Matt M.

Can't get artist to show up when connecting to shared itunes library

I have been having a problem seeing all of my artists when connecting to itunes on my iphone. I can connect to this shared Itunes library, but when I do I can only see about 12-15 artists not the 1,000's I have. When I go to the songs tab I can see all the songs. How can I see all of my artists again?
I am using itunes 10.0.1 (on my iMac) and Iphone 5 version 6.0.2.

In your itunes on the PC, Apple TV 3rd gen does not show up ever this is normal as Apple TV3 does not store any content you can access from the PC
On your Apple TV to see your PC library, Select Computers from the front screen and it should show your pc library.
Setting up Apple TV for HomeSharing

4 people in our family have an iphones or ipod on the same apple id ..so that we can all share the itunes library. however this means that we all get each others imessages. is there a way of sharing itunes library with 4 separate ids?

4 of us in the family with iphonesor ipods share the same apple id so that we can share the itunes library . However , this means we all receive each others imessages, unless we disable imessaging. Is there a way of sharing itunes library (ie.g with 4 separate ids) that avoids the sharing of imessages? .

Thanks, Terence, but if she was inclined to upload things, I wouldn't need access!
Here is an example: we go on vacation, she takes 250 photos, edits twenty of the best shots, and uploads three to facebook. I want to make an album including some of the edited shots and some of the less perfect but still fun shots - so I need all 250 photos - uploading that many photos to a photosharing site takes forever even if she did it - but she won't. I used to just hijack her computer for a day, but I'd like to be able to hijack her iphoto library without stealing her computer...if possible!
Thanks for any help you can offer!
- A

Backing up a shared itunes library

Hi, I want to back up my shared itunes library and most importantly my purchased music onto an external hard drive. When I use backup it can't find the purchased music in the shared file (I have two users on one mac sharing the itunes library). What is the best way of getting around this. I have noted the help pages on support but they are mainly for burning to a CD/DVD and don't discuss the issue of sharing!
Many thanks
Matt

No-one responded!

Can I split my iTunes library across two hard drives?

I am busy ripping my huge movie collection into an iTunes library, so I can play through my new Apple TV to my HDTV. Trouble is, it looks like I'll probably need at least 4TB's of HD space before I'm all finished. What I would like to do is to buy an external HD unit with two 3TB drives, and split my iTunes library across them, while still being able to view all of the movies on both drives all of the time, and give me lots of extra room for future expansion.
Is this possible? If not, does anyone know of an aftermarket Thunderbolt 4TB external HD? I found a 4TB drive, but not with Thunderbolt.
Thanks.

I have the same question.
I would like to be able to do the same thing with all my media. I'm a DJ and certain aspects of Mac Os X Lion or iCloud, and iTunes Match, don't favor folks with tons of media, storage wise. I'm not happy that there's a limit on how much space iCloud will give you. Yet, I feel forced to upgrade to Lion within the next 4 days. I've been hesitant to rip my collection or even upload all those digital copies because where will I put all those files. I agree with needing like 4-8T just to store, but how? I don't have Thunderbolt, only Firewire on late '08 iMac 20" and USB on 08 MacBook 13" Aluminum. Bleh!
If you can use Time Capsule to back up your entire network with more than one computer, it would seem likely that you should be able to piggy back 2 xTime Capsules. I believe they come with 2-3Ts now and you can get them refurbished? I'm gonna look at Time Capsule Support to find out for myself, I'll let you know what I find, also. One thing I did noticed was that I had uploaded a bunch of Digital Copies from movies I had bought from Blu-Ray Combo Packs like 2 years ago and deleted them from MacBook for more space, only to recently find that they had been saved as purchased items from the iTunes Store. So now I can grab them from iTunes and watch them anytime off my Apple TV.
Good Luck,
Jenn

Sharing iTunes library across computers

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