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)

Similar Messages

Can I have same Itunes library in two computers?

I would like to have the same library in two computers.
If I use home share to import the whole library, Does that mean the library will disappear from the "old" computer? or
Will I be able to keep the same library in both computers?
What will happens when I add music to one of the libraries? Will they update? or Do I have to do it manually? Can playlist be imported from home share too? and can I have same playlists in the two computers?
Thanks!

Again without firsthand experience my understanding is iTunes copies (not moves) just the media from the Home Shared drive and adds it to your other library as a new item. It will not affect the original library.
As for syncing idevices, they are intended to sync with just the original library and only one library at a time. Apple deliberately designed it this way, and not so you could plug them into a new computer and transfer the contents from the device to the computer (see exception below). More information:
Some of the information below has subsequently appeared in a document by turingtest2: Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991
Your i-device was not designed for unique storage of your media. It is not a backup device and media transfer was planned with you maintaining a master copy of your media on a computer which is itself properly backed up against loss. Syncing is one way, computer to device, updating the device content to the content on the computer, not updating or restoring content on a computer. The exception is iTunes Store purchased content.
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848 - only purchases from iTunes Store
For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will have to use third party commercial software. Examples (check the web for others; this is not an exhaustive listing, nor do I have any idea if they are any good):
- Senuti - http://www.fadingred.com/senuti/
- Phoneview - http://www.ecamm.com/mac/phoneview/
- MusicRescue - http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/products/musicrescue/
- Sharepod (free) - http://download.cnet.com/SharePod/3000-2141_4-10794489.html?tag=mncol;2 - Windows
- Snowfox/iMedia - http://www.mac-videoconverter.com/imedia-transfer-mac.html - Mac & PC
- iexplorer (free) - http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/ - Mac&PC
- Yamipod (free) - http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/downloads/ - PC, Linux, Mac [Still updated for use on newer devices? No edits to site since 2010.]
- 2010 Post by Zevoneer: iPod media recovery options - https://discussions.apple.com/message/11624224 - this is an older post and many of the links are also for old posts, so bear this in mind when reading them.
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141 - dates from 2008 and some outdated information now.
Copying Content from your iPod to your Computer - The Definitive Guide - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/ - Information about use in disk mode pertains only to older model iPods.
Get Your Music Off of Your iPod - http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Get_Your_Music_Off_of_Your_iPod - I am not sure but this may only work with some models and not newer Touch, iPhone, or iPad.
Additional information here https://discussions.apple.com/message/18324797

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

Can I have the same iTunes library on two computers?

I have an iMac and a Macbook Pro with two different iTunes libraries. I want to have the same library on both computers with playlist and all, so that if I do anything on the iMac, the macbook will sync. Anybody who can tell me if this is possible and how to do it? I also have a timecapsule if that matters?

Hello henrik100,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Home Sharing in iTunes is designed to let you easily share your iTunes media libraries between up to five computers in your household.
For more information, take a look at:
iTunes: Setting up Home Sharing on your computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4620
Understanding Home Sharing
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3819
Have a nice day,
Mario

Sharing a single itunes library between two computers - must be possible!

Hi there,
This is probably a commonly asked question, but I cannot find a step by step guide to doing it (if indeed it is possible).
I have got a copy of itunes running on my media computer/server in my living room. What I want is to connect my laptop over the network and share this library - the effect being that it is like I am using the original computer.
In essence I want to be able to add muscic, edit tracks, update my ipod from either computer and the changes be made in respect of both computers. I suspect that this is done by making sure that the laptop uses the same database information as that created by my main computer but am not really sure where to start.
Could anyone perhaps give me a step by step guide as to how to do this - a single database that can be used by two computers each running itunes. One thing I am pretty sure is not possible is to for two people to be using itunes at the same time, so I would ahve to avoid this.
Thanks very much.

Ah. Sorry about that, I guess I skimmed over the add music part. Correct, in that the home sharing wouldn't allow you to add music to the media server library. The only thing that I can think of that would give you what you want is to use a shared folder on the network and then map both of the iTunes to that folder. At least that way music would go into the same folder. The only question is about the library on the other computer, if it would get updated when you use the other to add music.

How to share subset of iTunes library between two computers

I've searched the forum for this information, and I've seen similar questions, but not exactly what I'm looking for.
Here's the scenario:
My wife and I both access iTunes from different computers (I use a Mac, she uses Windows), using different iTunes accounts. We both sync our iPhones, iPods, iPads with these computers. The music library consists almost entirely of music that I ripped from CDs, we rarely purchase music from iTunes.
For my Mac, the entire iTunes library currently is located on an external NAS drive. My wife's iTunes library is on her Windows machine, so she doesn't have access to the music from her iTunes installation. For now, we sync both my wife's iPod and mine from the Mac.
What I would like to do is keep separate iTunes libraries for my wife and I, so that we could each have our own apps, but have both libraries point to the external NAS drive for music and playlists, so we could both sync music and playlists to our devices from the same source. We can avoid updating music or playlists for both computers at the same time.
Can a local iTunes library be configured to store music, playlists, and associated metadata on an external drive, but everything else on the local drive? From some of the other responses I've seen, having the music files on the external drive didn't appear to be an issue, but it wasn't clear if the playlists and metadata would be kept with the music files or in the local library.

From Using iPad or iPod with multiple computers, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202
"iPod shuffle and iPhone are intended for use with a single computer. You cannot load music from multiple computers or iTunes libraries onto iPod shuffle and iPhone like you can with other devices."

1 ipod 1 itunes library on two computers

We converted from a Mac to a pc. I want to try and get my songs from my itunes library on my Mac to my pc. Can i use my ipod to transfer songs from my Mac itunes library to the same itunes library on my pc.

To authorize the computer, it needs to be connected to the internet at some point. After that, you can copy your music to as many computers as you want - But only 5 computers can be authorized at a time.

Sharing an iTunes library across multiple computers

I tried Home Share but it did not do what i expected. In addition to doing Home Share, the files need to be copied to each computer apparently.
Is it permitted to have the iTunes Library be located on a shared disc (such as one attached to an AirPort Express)? So that one copy of the library would be used by all copies of iTunes running in the house?
I am confused because different products seem to work differently. If I set up my iMac and my Mac Book with Home Share, each of htem needs a copy of the library in its own disk space. But if I set up Apple TV to use Home Share, it plays my videos from the hard drive of my iMac. Yes both describe Home Share as the same concept.
So far it appears that MacBook and iMac do not share libraries in the sense of using a single copy on disk.
What about iPhone and iPad? Do they read the library from the home sharing computer or do the media files need to be downloaded ahead of time to the iOS device?
What am I missing here?
Thanks,
Bruce

Not really. Each computer will have a separate library within iTunes. They can be set to use the same file storage location but I have no idea how to do that with a Mac.

Using one itunes library on two computers

I want to have a master itunes library on my home computer using an external hard drive and then when I go to work, use the same library, adding new music, artwork, organizing, etc. at work and see those changes on my computer at home. I only want to sync my ipod at home...just want to see everything merge together at home, regularly.

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

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

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.

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.

Synchronize Mail Across Two Computers

Hey everyone!
I have two iMacs running 10.5.7 with Apple Mail set to download email from my own domain with a POP server. I have a gigabytes of locally stored mail that I would like to have synchronized to another, iMac also running 10.5.7. I don't have the option of IMAP, but even if I did, the gigabytes of saved mail would go over my quota.
I tried using Live Mesh, but it does not support files in the /library directories, and MobileMe does not support IMAP/POP accounts.
Any other ideas?
Thanks in advance!

there is no good way to keep POP mail synced across two computers. one time syncing is possible by exporting a mail archive and moving it to another computer but it's not something you want to do on a regular basis. the best i can suggest is to check the option in mail preferences->accounts->advanced to keep messages on the server after retrieval. this way you can download them to both computers.
Message was edited by: V.K.

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

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!!!

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