Transfer iTunes library to new MacBook Pro while maintaining playlists, ratings, etc.

I just got my new MacBook Pro for college, and I need to transfer my entire iTunes library (19,000+ songs) from my dektop Mac to my new computer. I have tried a lot of people's methods concerning transfering libraries, but everytime, I lose my playlists, play counts, and ratings. I have tried a lot of methods, but none seem to work. I have tried consolidating libraries and other methods. Does anyone have any ideas of what I might be doing wrong.
(I have a 1TB hd that houses all of the music for my iTunes library for my desktop. I am attempting to move it all to the MBP. My MBP has two partitions, one of which is for storage and music (not my Macintosh HD) which is where I am attempting to copy my library to from the 1TB drive.)
Thanks in advance!
CB

Here's one way to connect two computers. There's other ways but we have absolutely no idea what hardware you have. - How to use FireWire target disk mode - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661 - includes description of hardware and software requirements.
As for files and folders to copy and where; Kappy has already made a list above, including showing locations. As for how; using drag and drop in Finder will probably work, but it will depend upon how you eventually connect the computers, or use a hard drive, or a flash drive... Currently there are too many unknowns about your system to provide a detailed list without itemizing for hundreds of different scenarios.
By the way, feel free to start a new topic for a question. This one was really about sorting out chrisbraun5's issue.

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You can copy only your User folder using Migration Assistant.
This will bring over all your user data (emails, application settings, bookmarks, Music, Movies, Documents, etc.)
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Rather than migrate from an iMac that I sold, I decided to just start fresh on a new Macbook Pro. I did back up my iTunes library and copied it over to the new Macbook. I synced my iPhone and iPad 2 on the new Macbook but the apps are greyed out. When I click the sync apps box all but a few of the apps (I'm assuming the ones that are default with the iPhone and iPad) dissappear.
I'd like the ability to arrange my apps with the Macbook at times and like the idea that I have a backup of all my apps on my computer. I realize I'm backing them up in iCloud, but just sayin'.
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$eth wrote:
Do I purchase an external hard-drive and transfer? Or should I just go and get a 32 GB Flashdrive? Anyone have any tips for doing this stuff?
assuming all your media files are in the default location, connect the two Macs with a firewire cable, boot the source Mac in Target Disk Mode, and copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) from <MacintoshHD>/users/yourname/music on the source to <MacintoshHD>/users/yourname/music on the target (overwriting the iTunes folder in place there).
So how can I turn off the library on my iMac and just make it two?
you can't.
you'll have to wait until you reach the limit of five machines. then you can use the deauthorize all option, following which you can reauthorize those computers you currently use/have access to.
have a look at this support article.

Transfer itunes to a new macbook pro

I just got a new macbook pro and only want to transfer my itunes and contacts (not all my documents or software) from my old macbook pro. This is the first time I have had to transfer data not sure how to do it

Copy the entire /Username/Music/iTunes/ folder from old computer to /Username/Music/ on new computer.
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No not do it changing preferences. That does as it says; it just relocates media, not the whole library which is more than media.
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Best way to move itunes library to new macbook pro

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I have previously backed-up to disk in iTunes, authorized the new computer to play my music, and restored to it - takes all play count, ratings etc across which I wanted too. This was between PCs but sure it will work on Mac too.
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Post your iTunes questions in the iTunes forum. Maybe these will help as well:
http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/
http://www.macworld.com/article/153952/2010/09/superguide_switchingtoamac.html?l src=nl_mwweek_h_cbstories

Copy iTunes library to new MacBook Pro

Hi 1st timer here
I've just upgraded from a Power Mac (V10.5.8) to a Mac Book Pro. I'd like to transfer all the music I have in iTunes (V10.6.1) and don't want to have to buy Leopard just for this one-off. I've used the thunderbolt to copy everything else ok.
Is there any easy way to do this?
I'll probably push all my content to iCloud to share on my great new iPhone as well, but 1 brideg at at a time!!
Many thanks

iTunes: What are the iTunes library files?
iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder
iTunes for Mac: How to copy purchases between computers
Message was edited by: b j t

Reading old iTunes library on new Macbook Pro

I'm hoping someone can help me, because I can't find anything on the interwebs ... I just bought a Macbook Pro (2015) and am upgrading from a late-08 Macbook. A long time ago, I moved my iTunes library to an external hard drive because it had outgrown the space on my macbook.
Now I'm trying to connect my XHD to my new computer and access the library, but can't. I hold Option and open iTunes, then try to point it to my library, but get the error message: "An iTunes library could not be found in the folder "iTunes". Please choose a different folder." Which makes no sense, since THAT'S where my library is! What am I doing wrong? If I connect my XHD to my old machine, it reads it just fine.

No not do it changing preferences. That does as it says; it just relocates media, not the whole library which is more than media.
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Copying iTunes library onto new MacBook Pro

I want to copy my existing iTunes library to my shiny new 13" unibody MacBook Pro. Since my 17" MacBook Pro remains my main home computer I want to leave the library intact on that machine - I just want to copy the library onto the new machine (album art and all).
Is Migration Assistant the way to go or should I drag and drop the existing library onto an external drive and then drop the library into the music folder on the new machine.
I'm normally quite good at this sort of thing. Honest.

drjbscott wrote:
should I drag and drop the existing library onto an external drive and then drop the library into the music folder on the new machine.
you could use an external. or, you could connect your Macs with a firewire cable, start up the 17" in _*Target Disk Mode*_, then copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) to HD/music on the 13" (overwriting the folder in place there). just fire up iTunes on the 13" and everything will be as you are used to on the 17".
you can then use e.g. _*Home Sharing*_ (or a 3rd party software) to keep both libs in sync.
enjoy ...
JGG

HT1329 My large iTunes library is on an external hard drive. Can I set up iTunes on my new Macbook Pro and copy the library to it or are there any pitfalls?

I have my large iTunes library on an external hard drive. Can I set up ITunes on my new Macbook Pro and transfer/copy this library to the internal hard drive or are there any problems I should be aware of?

ITs an old Iomega 100gb external HD that has about 90gb of music on it. The Macbook has a 500gb HD. I would like to put the iTunes library on the internal HD so I have room to expand.
Phil0124 wrote:
You can copy it to the internal hard drive as long as it fits on it. How big is your library, and how big is your internal HD?
The only thing you do not want to do is over-stuff the internal hard drive. The OS needs some space to operate correctly, so if your iTunes library uses up more than say 80 to 85% of the internal HD's available space it may not be a good idea to transfer it over.
With that said, the internal HD will provide slightly faster access to the library than the external would, but other than that, you can point iTunes to the external drive just fine.

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Howw do I get my itunes on my new MacBook Pro?

The application should be pre-installed. If you mean transfer a library:
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
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My books are no longer in iTunes library on my MacBook Pro. Not on my iBooks, either. Had over 200 books in itunes library, all synced to my iPad 2. I deleted them as I read them, knowing I still had them in iTunes. I updated to iOS 7. No books! Where?

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let's try working through this document. (you can skip the reinstall itunes step.)
No music shows up in iTunes after upgrading

HT1473 How can I transfer my music (not purchased from Itunes) from my Ipad/Iphone to my new Itunes library on a Macbook Pro?

I've recently bought a new Macbook Pro and in my Itunes Library everything I have purchased from Itunes is in my new Itunes Library.
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The iphone/ipad/ipod is not a backup/storage device. The sync is one way - computer to iphone/ipad/ipod.
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Transfer iTunes library to new MacBook Pro while maintaining playlists, ratings, etc.

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