Sync itunes library between macs

hello guys, i had a macbookpro for 2 years and i just bought a new i mac for home use and an airport extreme (new version with hard disk connection capabilities), and i did that for a reason. well my mbpro is packed with music and videos and i would like to remove them from this library. so the question that pops out: is there anyway to sync an itunes library to another one on the network or on airport extreme and put only may favorite and/or recently added, recently played content.

I have the same question, and can't seem to find an answer. I have 3 Mac computers - iMac, Macbook and Macbook Pro (yes I'm addicted to Apple products) and an iPhone. They are all on my networked via a 1TB Time Machine and I can "share" the iTunes libraries between the machines, but I would love to get every tune, app, and video on all the machines so the libraries are identical and they can all sync with my iPhone. Apparently, you can't use the "shared" libraries on the machine used to sync your iPhone. I've read one post (about a year old) about editing Hex and XML and the like, but that's too complicated for my skills. I'm trying to figure out why Apple would hamper their very best customers (and may I add, stockholder) by not allowing a single user of multiple computers to sync everything up. Its like the more money you spend on apple stuff, the more complicated your life gets - that just ain't right!

Similar Messages

  • Resolved: Issues connecting iTunes Library between Macs, PC's and Apple TV (1

    I was having trouble connecting my wireless Macbook Pro to my wired MacPro on the same network.  It turns out that they can see each other fine and even communicate on the ports required: UDP 5353 and TCP 3689. If I took the Macbook Pro and wired it into the ethernet, it worked fine and the iTunes Library showed up.  I was even able to connect to another wireless iTunes Library to the Macbook Pro.  My Apple TV could not see the library from my MacPro either, so I knew it had to do something with the Wireless Router settings. 
    Resolution:
    If you're using a wireless router, make sure to disable IGMP Proxy.  This will allow your connection to go through and easily share your content with your Apple TV. 
    Good luck and I hope that helps many of you fix the problem with a lot less frustration.
    -Kamilo

    veddar79 wrote:
    I am wanting to see if I can (it sounds like you at least have that working Steffen) have the iTunes library on my Ex HDD on the Airport and have both iTunes (Macbook and iMac) point to it for use. Not physically have the data on either computer but each conmputer's iTunes use that data located on the NAS to listen to music/movies etc.
    Yes, you can do that. It's not a problem as long as you don't have concurrent access, i.e. iMac and MacBook trying to WRITE to the library at the same time. And you will have to store not only the media files on the NAS, but the iTunes library ("iTunes" folder you usually find under "Music" on your Mac) as well.
    I also want to know if I can rip a CD or movie on either computer and will it update that one library (NAS)...so both computers have total up to date info?
    Yes, sure. If you tell iTunes to manage the files and to copy them to the iTunes library as soon as you add them to iTunes, it will work seamlessly. It doesn't matter if you rip and add them on the iMac or the MacBook because both computers are using the same library.
    Hopefully that wasn't too confusing and again it sounds like Steffen is where I want to be minus the ATV issue.....sharing one library on a NAS between Macbook and iMac...AND any changes made only affects the NAS but both computers would get the latest and greatest.
    As I said, it works as long as you are not trying to sync an Apple TV with that configuration.

  • Syncing iTunes Library between multiple user accounts

    Is it possible for iTunes to automatically sync music libraries between two user accounts on Windows XP?

    If I understand your question correctly , you can have identical libraries (contents, playlists and all) if you set each user's account to reference the same .itl file.
    Have a look at this article in the Apple Knowledge Base for details on how to do so.
    By using the Choose Library option and linking the accounts to the same .itl file, the libraries will be the same and changes made to one will be reflected in the others.
    Post back if you need any further details.

  • How do I sync iTunes Library in Mac directly with IOS device if I use iTunes Match?

    When I turned on Itunes Match on the iPad and iPhone, my entire iTunes Library imported from the Mac using the iTunes sync process was moved to the Cloud. However, this means that I have to download all my songs again on my iPhone and iPad. I have 6,700 classical music songs, and this would take days! Therefore, I'd like to sync the playlist in my iTunes Library in my Mac with the iPhone and iPad directly using the iTunes sync, so I do not have to download them again one by one. How do I do this?

    Turn off iTunes match on the device temporarily and sync whatever you want from iTunes using the iTunes sync. When you turn iTunes match on again the synced content should be supplemented by the ability to download the remainder of your library, it should not be deleted.

  • Sharing iTunes Library between Mac and PC

    Hello
    I have a Windows PC at home and had a Dell laptop. I have my itunes library on an external hard drive. This worked perfectly since which ever machine I was on I had access to the same library. Recently my work upgraded my laptop to a Mac Book Pro with Snow Leopard. Is there a way to share this same library on my Mac? I am new to the Mac world and am a bit lost. Thanks in advance

    I have a similar setup. You need to move your itunes library to your network storage device. You need to do this within itunes (you will have to google moving your itunes library because I don't remember all the steps). After you moved the itunes library to a network share, you need to go into advanced preferences on each computer that will access the library and set the location of the itune library to point to the network share folder where the file itunes library.itl is located - the exit from Itunes. Restart Itunes on each computer (pressing shift on the Windows computers and option on the Macs). You will then have to choose the Itunes library. Browse to the network share and click on the itunes library.itl folder.
    Three notes. Only one computer at a time can access the library. Second, each time you switch back and forth between mac and pc, the library folder needs to be updated. Third, for some reason, with iTunes 9.0.2, the updating process has slowed down. It is especially slow taking 15 minutes or so for a 13GB library. Hope apple fixes this.

  • Sync itunes library between 3 computer

    i have three computers connected to a home wifi network... a vista desktop, vista laptop and a macbook.
    now, on all the 3 machines i use itunes to listen to and organize my music. i randomly download music from either of the machines and so does my bro. i would like to sync the 3 itunes libraries over wifi so that each machine has the same music collection as the other.
    manually keeping tack and managing the music is tedious. any suggestions?
    Neerav

    There are a few utilities that can help you sync iTunes across different computers. You could begin your research by having a look at these two for instance:
    TuneRanger
    syncOtunes

  • Migrating iTunes library between macs

    I tried Migration Assistant to transfer files from my iMac to my MacBook, but my iTunes library didn't seem to make it over. Do I have to transfer the application?

    Did you use Migration Assistant to transfer your Home folder?
    If so were your iTunes files in the Home folder?
    MJ

  • 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

  • Sync itunes library between macmini and macbook pro

    hi!
    I have a MacBook Pro and a MacMini, both running ML 10.8.2 and iTunes 11.0.1. The MPB has a cd/dvd reader, the MM doesn't.
    I have all of my music (and related metadata like ratings) stored in the MBP, and it is in the MBP that I do any music purchasing and all cd ripping. I am trying to setup the MM to sync with the MBP (when the MBP is within Wi-Fi / Lan / Firewire range) so that when I travel (which is a fair bit), my wife can still play any of the music content directly from the MM.
    I have tried Home Sharing and it is not the solution I am looking for as the MM will only stream from the MBP, which means the MBP must be within range, switched on and iTunes must be up and running (unless there is a different way to get it to work and I just haven't figured out how... )
    On the other hand, in the near future I may be getting an iPad and an iPhone (possibly 5) so ideally I would like to try to find a solution that allows me to sync it all across all 4 devices (of which I have 2 now), if that is not too much to hope for.
    I have read a little about iCloud capabilities and a lot of mixed reviews, so I am a little bit at a loss as to which way to go forward....!
    Any suggestions?
    Thanks
    R

    Home sharing may be your answer as you can copy all the files over to the Mac Mini when the MBP is in range so they are always on there. Then in the settings you can set it to automatically transfer purchase. It would do this when the MBP is in range. Hoem Sharing is NOT just about streaming.
    See this article
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4620

  • Is it possible to share iTunes Library between Mac and PC?

    My wife has a HUGE collection of audio and videos, mainly recordings of workshops she's involved with. Total size is many hundreds of MB, too much for her laptop.
    If we create a new library on a large external HD (formatted for PC), should she be able to access the same library with either her Mac or her office PC? Or are they different file structures?
    Thanks,
    Mark

    wrong info removed.
    edited by the Jolly Green Giant (where Green stands for environmentally friendly)

  • Share iTunes Library between on same Mac between OSX & Parallels WinXP

    Does anyone know if its possible to somehow share my iTunes library on my MacPro (10.5.4) between both my Mac OS, and also with my Parallels Windows XP OS, which is installed on the same computer?
    I'd like to be able to take advantage of some of the various software utilities (tagging, etc...) that are available for the Window version of iTunes, but not for the Mac...and seeing as how altering the tags of my iTunes music would be one of the things on my agenda if I can share my iTunes Library between my Mac-OS and my Virtual-XP-OS, I just want to be absolutely certain that to avoid potentially screwing things up by changing meta tags and other information (album art, etc...) via iTunes on my XP virtual machine, such that the changes made wouldn't be recognized when I next open iTunes on my Mac...
    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

    I have a Macbook Pro with Vista and OSX via bootcamp and my iTunes runs from the same set of files. I haven't bothered to test this out in a virtual pc environment, but I would assume it would work.
    Now, I am not entirely familiar with Parallels, but I imagine that all you have to do is select your Mac library data as the a new library for your Windows iTunes.
    To do this:
    Boot windows XP in Parallels
    Hold down the shift key, then open iTunes with that key still held.
    This will prompt you to select an iTunes library.
    Simply browse for your Library data file for Mac OSX (By default this is under user\music\iTunes\iTunes Library) It may appear as a .itl file.
    Select this and your iTunes libraries should remain in sync with each other despite edits in different OS's. After any edits are made on a different OS, iTunes will simply run a quick update bar when booting to resync.

  • 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

  • Move an iTunes library between users on the same mac

    How do I move an iTunes library between users on the same mac?
    I accidentally created a secondary user on my mac some time ago when using the migration tool and am now going back and transferring all my files from the secondary to the admin user profile.
    I wanted to know which itunes files/folders need to be copied over.
    Is the process as simple as replacing the itunes folder on admin with the copied itunes folder from my secondary profile or do I need to delete the admin folder first and then copy the old folder over or do I delete the contents of the folder and replace with the copied contents?
    I am using shared folders to move between users, but want to make sure that I am picking the right files to transfer.
    Thanks in advance.

    Assuming you have left iTunes to default settings so everything is still in the iTunes folder the way iTunes likes it to be, copy the whole of the iTunes folder to the new location.  If it is in the default directory (Home > Music) for iTunes the application will automatically use it there for the new account.  If you put it elsewhere you will have to start iTunes and immediately hold down the option key to direct it to the new location.
    It is just possible you will have to change permissions.  If you encounter those issues read the part about changing permissions on the iTunes folder in: https://discussions.apple.com/message/11583914
    This is all a slight variant on:  iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

  • Question/Problem Sharing iTunes Library between multiple users

    Hello all,
    I have a question (potential problem) regarding sharing an iTunes Library between multiple users.
    In the past, I had placed the iTunes folder in /Users/Shared, and created an alias to it in the "Music" folder of each user, and it worked fine.  However, with a recent upgrade to Mac OS 10.5, only the Home user account can access the library. 
    I read the Apple Support Document http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203 uner Mac OS X which specifically states *not* to move the iTunes folder, just the iTunes Media folder (which I don't have, would that be iTunes Music?).
    Any recommendations?  Should I delete the different alias, move the iTunes folder back to the home user, and then follow the instructions in the support document?
    We're also looking to sync music purchsed on our iPod touches, as well as apps (which weren't supported in our privous Mac OS X version.
    Any advice is appreiciated.

    David Guay wrote:
    ... iTunes Media folder (which I don't have, would that be iTunes Music?).
    yes.
    specifically states *not* to move the iTunes folder
    *do* keep the entire iTunes folder in /users/shared, however, instead of creating aliases, launch iTunes while holding the option (⌥) key, click choose library when prompted, and select the iTunes folder in /users/shared.
    obviously, only one iTunes at a time can access the library !

  • What is the best way to share a iTunes library between 5 users on the same computer?

    What is the best way to share a iTunes library between 5 users on the same computer?
    Currently I have a common itunes library in a shared folder that each user is linked to.  The problem is that when one user adds music to the shared file, it does not automaticaly appear to other users when they open their iTunes.  They have to go to the shared library and select the new music in order to make it visable in their iTunes.
    Would iTunes file shareing fix this problem?
    Thanks

    aapl.up wrote:
    Rick, are you saying that if you try to share a folder outside of home and use sharepoints, then the other mac wont prompt you to log in? Have you tried that? It is hard to believe that is the case
    I am sort of saying that. Have you tried it? I know it's hard to believe, but you really need to help us out by trying some steps that you don't believe.
    We can't see what your exact situation is. We sort of know what's worked for us out here. Just trying to help you get this going in less than 24 hours!
    Sharepoints manages the samba configuration file. It's free software that puts a pretty face on an otherwise cumbersome config file.
    Give it a shot.
    windows will not prompt for passwords, I have tried this with multiple computer at home for both vista and xp
    As I stated. You will not get prompted on windows, if you have set up sharing in an insecure fashion. You are not using a secured sharing situation.
    No argument with your statement.

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