Sync iTunes library across two machine

i have a desktop (at home) and a laptop (work and travel). is it possible to have the libraries synced without having to purchase each song twice?

this is actually something i do regularly. i have a laptop and a desktop that both have the same purchased content from iTunes. the way to do it is to use the same iTunes login account on both computers. the tricky part is getting the files on both computers (last i checked anyway) but its not too hard to do it once you establish a method for doing so.
would be nice if you could purchase something on one computer and use the "check for purchases" feature on the other computer to download your purchases on multiple computers. but as far as i know, it doesnt work that way.
as long as iTunes is setup to keep the media folder organized, you could simply purchase an item on one computer, and share out your itunes folder on your local network. connect to the shared folder from the other computer, and import the media you just purchased into itunes.
as far as i know this is the only way to have the same purchased content on multiple computers. again, the key is using the same itunes account on both computers to do this.

Similar Messages

How can one share iTunes Library across two machines at the same time?

**I have setup 1 of 2 machines to host all the songs in my iTunes library. I then went to machine 2 of 2 and held down option key on start up of iTUnes, changed the location of the liobrary on machine 2 to a shared folder on machine 1.**
**This works awesome and I can use itunes on each of the machines 1 and 2 with no duplicate library in my home.**
**Problem: I can only run one machine at a time. I can not run itunes on both machines at the same time. The error message from machine 2 is ITUNES library is locked and cant write to the folder. iTunes works correct if I QUIT iTunes on machine 1.**
**Can iTunes run at the same time on 2 machines and access the same library?**
*Thank You Troy*

Troy Yoho wrote:
Can iTunes run at the same time on 2 machines and access the same library?
in a way, yes.
set up _*Home Sharing*_ on both machines.
JGG

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

How do you sync iTunes library for two user accounts?

Hello
I have a MacBook with two user accounts - myself and my wife.
I have to do this because we both have iPhones and we need to keep our sync-ing separate or we would just keep overwriting each others preferences.
I have an iTunes library and so does my wife.
Problem...
I recently imported some songs using my account that my wife wants on her iTunes. When I logged out of my account and went into hers the songs I imported were not there!!
Question...
How do you marry and update the libraries of both accounts so no matter which iTunes library you access (my account or hers) you have all the available songs in both?
I have tried trawling through some of the zillion posts here, but the prospect of spending hours and hours was just too much to contemplate!!!!
So if i've asked a question that has already been asked and dealt with please forgive me - or better still if you know where the needle would be in this haystack a link would be very much appreciated!
Many Thanks in Anticipation.
Mr Totsy

Hi ffiti
I have done a bit of cleaning up on my Mac (OCD!) and made a bit of an ar*e of things - can you help?
I went into my wife's account and wiped all iTunes files and stored songs.
This was done because some songs were on my iTunes library and some were not on hers - so I just wiped the lot off and started again...I know it gets even better...
I then went into my user account and wiped off everything there too...
I went on the Apple website and downloaded the latest iTunes 11.0.4 I think and reinstalled an empty library from scratch - that way I will be only filling one library full of songs - I also took the media file out of the shared folder and reset it back to its default position
I went to sync my iPhone and now it tells me I can only sync one device with one library - so how do I sync my phone without it deleting everything and replacing it with nothing?!!!!
I doesn't matter how great Apple products are they just can't account for human idiocy !!!
Regards,
Mr Totsy

Sync iTunes-library between two Macs

Today I´ve got my library on my Mini-mediacenter, which is very convenient as this is connected to my speakers in the livingroom. Also I have my MBP and my iPod. What I´m looking for is a soloution to always have the same library on these two machines. The two machines is connected in my home network, and I am today using HomeSharing, but that seems to only sync item bought in iTMS, not items added by myself.
Is there a soloution to this problem?

here are some noteworthy apps:
Sonzea
TuneRanger
SuperSync

Synchronize iTunes Library Across Two Computers

I have separate iTunes music libraries on my work and home computers. I would like to keep them synchronized, such that if I add a song, or change the rating/playcount/etc on one computer it is reflected on the other.
I currently use an external HD and a 3rd party sync program (Synchronize X Pro) to keep my work files synchronized between the two computers. I'm wondering if I just include the music folder in the synchronization if that will work.
Many thanks.

I have been synchronizing iTunes between two computers by duplicating the following three files/folders from the "source" computer over to the "target" computer:
iTunes Library (file)
iTunes Music Library.xml (file)
iTunes Music (folder)
However, you lastly need to check (with a text editor) the
iTunes Music Library.xml
file because about 5 or 10 lines into it, it has the following line (it's all on one line):
<key>Music Folder</key><string>file://localhost/Users/Username/Music/iTunes/iTunes%20Music/</string>
If this string does not properly describe the location of the iTunes Music folder (the folder that holds all the music files), you must edit it so that it does. (If both computers store the iTunes stuff in the Apple default location, no changes will be needed.)
With this exception, my manual "synchronization" has worked well and all tags, ratings, playlists, counts etc. have been preserved.
imac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) (also imac G3 10.2.8; and G4 Powerbook 10.3.9)
imac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) (also imac G3 10.2.8; and G4 Powerbook 10.3.9)

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

Using one Itunes database across two macs

Using one itunes database across two macs
I currently run a 2010 MBP (500gb hd) at home and on the road and a 2013 Imac (1Tb hd) at work. I have a large lossless itunes library of about 300gb and would like to increase the library further.
My MBP started running slowly and I realised that my iTunes library was choking the whole computer. I started to explore ways to store my library on a remote disk and bought a G drive 1Tb portable drive.
My efforts to carry out the transfer were only partially successful with most of my library transferring but a significant number of tracks displaying the ! sign which means they couldn't be located.
I have also got an Imac at work and what I had hoped to achieve was to have my iTunes database on the 1tb portable drive and use the portable disk on both my MBP and iMac.
Our technical support company are dubious about whether this will work because the local specific itunes library data on each machine will differ and each machine will not operate correctly with the underlying data on the portable drive.
I am not very technical and I am finding it difficult to follow the various posts on this board and elsewhere. Many seem to comment on splitting their library across multiple disks but I cant really seem to get to the bottom of storing my library on one disk and using it across multiple computers.
Is what I am trying to achieve practical?
If it is, can someone point me to an article/post please? Or alternatively could someone explain how I might achieve my goal.
Thanks in a advance for your help.

Here you go.
http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/ultranewb--how-to-move-your-itunes-library -to-an-external-drive-238296.php

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.

How do I maintain a single iTunes library for two separate iMac user accounts?

How do I maintain a single iTunes library for two separate iMac user accounts?...without having to manually do something every download?

Pardon me, I am brand new at using an iMac. I understand the concept but I don't know exactly how to "move" the library. I found a shared folder under users on the hard drive. If I move it, won't I have to redirect each iTunes user to the new shared location?
If I point iTunes to anything other than the music folder under that user name, it shows as a "shared library". Preferences still shows it as that users library, regardless of where the advanced gear button says it is pointing to.
Am I asking for too much to have each user control the exact same music files, apps and playlists? I just want the two different itunes sessions to mirror each other without any frequent updating or copying.
We use the same id for itunes music and apps so we could just sync all devices under one iMac user id and not use it under hers.

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.

I would like the share an iTunes library between two different accounts on one Mac. How do I do this?

iTunes no longer works properly (aka at all) while using one of the user accounts set up on my iMac. It does, however, work when logging in under another user account on the same iMac. (if any of you can help me solve this issue that would be perfect). If there is no solution can anyone help with my request to share an iTunes library between two different accounts on one Mac. How do I do this?

jc_hering wrote:
that works for anything he purchases after he creates the new account. What about his current music that currently resides in my itunes library? How can I get his current music out of my library into his new account/library?? Thanks..
Copy it to his computer into his iTunes library and authorize his computer with the iTunes account used to purchase them..
You cannot tranfser items from one iTunes account to another. Purchased items remain part of the iTunes account is was purchased with.
iTunes account - used to purchase items
iTunes library - where purchases (and CD RIPs) go on the computer

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Thank you Joe - I tried this but it's only showing a teensy amount of music - the stuff on the second users account as opposed to the giagntic library on the 'main' account. I actually went to a Genius Bar and they said that apple doesn't really want you to share music between accounts - parents don't want to hear their kids music etc. Which seemed strange, but it might be the case sadly Thanks anyway!

Hello there - I am sharing an iPhoto library across two accounts on the same computer - it works fine EXCEPT for Quicktime movies - they play on one account and claim I don't have the rights on the other - all permissions are on and ok?

Hello there - I am sharing an iPhoto library across two accounts on the same computer - it works fine EXCEPT for Quicktime movies - they play on one account and claim I don't have the rights on the other - all permissions are on and ok?

It should be in the Users/ Shared folder.
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Note the option to check and repair Library Permissions
Regards
TD

How to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

Please, can someone give me the instructions on how to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

See Pondini's TM FAQs, for details.

Sync iTunes library across two machine

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