Transferring/Copying iTunes library from desktop computer to laptop
What is the best way to move my current desktop iTunes library to my laptop?
I have the latest version of iTunes on the laptop, which has moved music from it to iTunes. There are about 50 songs on this laptop library, but on my desktop computer there is much more.
I want to make sure that I add the current iTunes library contents to the laptop library. Is there a simple solution to this question?
Thanks for any assistance.
PC Windows XP
Have a look at this User Tip, it should give you a few pointers: Migrating iTunes for Windows to a new PC
If you can network the computers there is also this one: Copying songs over a network to use with iTunes for Windows
Similar Messages
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I transfered my iTunes library from my old computer to my new computer using iCloud and an missing content. My iPhone still has my full library on it. I've synced my phone but the missing cntent wont transfer over. How do I get my complete library on my new computer? My old computer had windows 7; the new one windows 8. Dont know if this makes any difference.
Delete the garbage that has been created on the new computer.
Copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder from the old computer to the new computer. Launch iTunes, everything will now be as it was on the old computer. -
Transferring external iTune library from one computer to another
I am having great difficulty in changing my external iTunes library from my old MBP laptop to my new iMac 5k.
My entire iTunes library is stored on an external drive and can be accessed directly with my MBP. When I started up iTunes on my new iMac, it created a new empty library in the MUSIC folder. What I want to do is connect my new iMac to the external library directly. I can see it when I turn on HOME SHARING but only when iTunes is running on my MBP, which is useless since my MBP will now be seldom used. I have of course on the iMac, changed the library location in the advanced preferences to the external location, to no avail. I do not want to keep any media files on the iMac for capacity reasons.
To compound the problem, I cannot seem to sync my new iPhone 6+ to the original external library, only the new empty one!
Surely this ought to be a simple job, transferring an external iTunes library from one computer to another! Am I missing something obvious here?Wow, what a quick response! Thanks, Limnos. I guess it was bleeding' obvious, and I should have thought of it before. Such a simple solution!
On a related matter, I also have just realised that the iTunes iOS backups are saved on the internal computer drive in a folder called MOBILESYNC rather than on an external drive, thus chewing up a lot of capacity on my SSD. Others reading this response may be interested to know that it is easy to have iTunes save the iOS backups to any external drive using a symbolic link in this directory. Go to
http://support.digidna.net/hc/en-us/articles/203504123-Storing-your-iPhone-Backu ps-on-an-Alternate-Location
for the details.
However, note that iBooks will NOT let you use this work-around, pathetic app that it is. -
Transferring complete iTunes library from old computer to new one?
My old computer isn't connecting to the internet. I can't enable home sharing since the old computer won't connect to the Internet, and I can't transfer using an external hard drive since the old computer needs software downloaded to connect to it. Is there another way of transferring my entire itunes library from my old computer to the new one That doesn't need for the old computer to be connected to the Internet?
I've tried backing up the iPod to my new computer, but it doesn't save anything. The only thing that has worked is backing up what was on my phone. I now try to back up the phone to the new computer and it'll tell me there are purchases on my phone that need to be transferred, so I click for them to be transferred. The computer does it's thing and if I click for it to back up again right away, it tells me the same thing even though there are no purchases. I can turn on the home sharing on the new computer, but when I go do it on the old one it says 'Home Sharing could not be activated because of an error occurred (-3150)'
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Move itunes library from desk computer to laptop?
Is it possible to move my itunes library from itunes on my desk computer to itunes on my laptop?
If so, how?I am a Windows guy, and I think you responded in 'Apple'.
No, it was very much Windows.
If that is a file you created, I don't know how to pick it up.
I don't know what this means.
iTunes creates an iTunes folder in your /username/Music/ directory on your hard drive. This contains all iTunes info and media files.
Copy this /iTunes/ folder from one computer to the other. -
I keep getting the message "iod cannot be used because the apple mobile device service is not started" when i try to sync my ipod to my desktop itunes library.
See:
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: How to restart the Apple Mobile Device Service (AMDS) on Windows -
I have a new computer. I have copied Itunes library from an external hard drive. Itunes now tells me I cannot sync with my Ipod as it thinks the 20gb on the computer are different to the 20gb on my Ipod touch! What have I done wrong? How can I fix it? Alan
See:
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities
Sync Your iOS Device with a New Computer Without Losing Data - How-To Geek -
Is there a standard approved method of transferring your itunes library from an old pc (windows Vista) to a new one (almost certainly Windows 7)? I can't find anything on the standard Apple websites.
If not, how do people do it generally?Type " move itunes library" into the google search bar.
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I'm transferring my iTunes library from a PC to my new iMac via home sharing. I've followed all of the steps to "import" my library but the "import" button is greyed out. Any suggestions?
There is no need to import anything or use Home Sharing.
Copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder from the old computer to the new computer, everything will be exactly as it was. -
I've transferred my itunes library from PC to Macbook pro running latest itunes and now it will not recognize my iPods (nano 4 and 5th Gen an Ipod touch). All music is there and playable but will not recognize any devices. Help please
The ipod is not a backup/storage device.
You need to copy everything from your old computer to your new one.
The Apple store will do this for you, you can call apple support and they will help you, you can use google. -
Trandferring iTunes library from old computer to new computer
How do I transfer files from my old computer to my new computer. I have copied my music library to an external hard drive and copied it to my new computer. However, I have lost most of the album artwork. Also, I am showing multiple copies of the same album, but each album has a song or two only. I encountered this problem previously when I first loaded my CDs onto my computer. I spent countless hours fixing that mess and it now appears that I am faced with having to redo it. Help anyone.
How to Copy and Move (Clone) your iTunes Library from One Computer to Another – or Archive Prior to a PC Re-Image or Reformat
This well-written iLounge Article is a must-read for anyone considering moving their Library to a new computer or a new location. Or, just wants a better understanding of how iTunes manages your music.
Below is the conceptual framework with related and important links. Apply and adapt it to your specific situation and equipment resources.
The safest, quickest, and most optimal method to move your Library to a new computer is to actually clone the entire ‘iTunes’ folder (directory) structure, rather than just copying just the song files. By copying the entire ‘iTunes’ folder and all sub-folders, you capture not only the music files, but the all-important ‘iTunes Library.itl’ database file (usually located in the ‘iTunes’ folder), which contains all the data about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). See: What are the iTunes Library files?
Install iTunes on the new computer. Then go back to your old computer and move (copy) the "iTunes" folder which usually resides inside your "…\My Documents\My Music" folder from the old computer to the exact same place (both Drive Letter and complete Path) on the new computer. When you open iTunes on the new computer it will look and behave exactly the same way it did on the old, Play Counts, Ratings, Comments and all!
NOTE: It is usually safer moving files between computers with the same version of iTunes!!
iTunes Files to Copy and Move to your New PC (for iPod, iTouch &/or iPhone – use as needed)
1) All Music Files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
2) All Application Files in their current folder structure (usually located in the ‘Mobile Applications’ folder)
3) All Album Artwork Files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘Album Artwork’ folder)
4) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
5) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
6) The iTunes Library Extras.itdb and iTunes Library Genius.itdb files, also in the ‘iTunes’ folder
Some additional files to consider also include in a backup:
7) Any XML playlist files created for Playlist retention
8) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
i) C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
ii) C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
9) The XML file of Ratings, Play Counts and Last Played attributes saved from the main Library and created by Otto’s SaveRatings script (also optional, but recommended):
“Download this: http://ottodestruct.com/itunes/SaveRatings.zip . It's a program, just run it like any other program. Run it on the machine where you're copying the info from BEFORE you move the files to the new machine. Click the "Save Ratings" button and it'll create a ratings.xml file. Now when you move the files, move the program and this file as well. Then after you make your new iTunes library, run it again and click the "Restore Ratings" button. Voila, all your information is back in the Library. Well, most of it anyway, it's not perfect. It'll tell you what songs it couldn't figure out though, and there's usually not very many.”
10) The folder(s) used to store and sync photos to your iPhone (if applicable)
11) The iTunes created Backup of your iPhone usually located at:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
Here's a list of methods to copy and move your music files from one computer to another:
1) Use an External Hard Drive (ExHD) to move the complete files and Folder structures from one computer to another (my preferred option). You can clone’ the entire ‘iTunes’ folder structure in one very easy step. Also great to have available for complete backups of your Library. External hard drives now run less than $100 for 500GBs-1TB of storage. See This Link
2) Directly connect the two computers:
2a) Connect them through a Router &/or Network
2b) Directly connect using an Ethernet cable: Straight for using at least one Mac; or Crossover for PC/PC Instructions here.
2c) Connect them via a USB-to-USB Network Bridge. Example here. There are various types out there (use Google).
--Then copy the files from one computer to the other.
3) Use the iPod as a transfer device, as this extensive Apple link explains. It will be a bit easier if your iPod has a larger capacity than your music collection, otherwise you will need to perform multiple copy/move transfers. This well written process also works fine while using any other data transfer medium (ExHD, Flash Drive, DVD, CD, Zipp, Jazz, etc.).
4) Burn several DVDs (at 4.7GBs each) with your music data files and folder structure, and load them onto the new computer. Re-writable DVDs are more cost effective (if your DVD drive can manage these types).
5) Burn 6x more on CDs (at 700MB each) than in #4 above and load the files and folders on the new computer. Re-writable CDs are more cost effective (if your CD drive can manage these types).
6) Use a larger USB Flash drive (1GB - 4GB) to move the files and folders. Best if the flash drive is larger than your Library, otherwise you will need multiple copy/move transfers.
These are links to various additional instructions on performing the transfer (read them all, but some listed steps may not be required depending on your specific situation):
Switch from PC to Mac Using the iPod
hudgie: Migrating iTunes for Windows to a new PC
How to copy music between authorized computers
Also, remember to Deauthorize your PC before you reformat it, dispose of it, or retire it from iTMS use (if applicable).
Best of Luck -
I am a new iPad user and have transferred my iTunes library from my laptop. How do I sync my iPod touch with my ipad
You don't. You synch your iPod to your computer. There's no way to synch from iPad to iPod. You can tranfer the same playlists to your iPod from the computer.
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I transferred my iTunes library from Window PC to MacBook pro and now I cant play songs that I purchased with an earlier ID and Password. How can I get around this problem?
Authorize the computer.
iTunes Store: About authorization and deauthorization - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1420 - and another helpful post: https://discussions.apple.com/message/17828050 -
Moved iTunes library from old computer (PC Windows 7) to new (PC Window 8) using external hard drive. Library listing shows all music but can only play a fraction of it. On the ones it cannot play it asks to locate, then refers to an archived version (an .itl file), and still cannot play them. Do I just need to copy the archived .itl over, or is that not where the actual media are (do the actual media files even exist on the new computer?)? Any advice or information on this would be helpful.
*Also...is there any way I can filter out all the tracks with the ! so I can delete the unplaying copies as they're taking up room in my iTunes? I know how to find duplicates, but then I have to go and delete each one individually...*
*Thank you!* -
I have just transferred my iTunes library from a hard drive previously connected to a windows laptop to a MacBook Pro and now all my options for editing info are greyed out. I have seen the answers if still using windows but could find a similar situation to this one.
Eels290776 wrote:
if my external hard drive is not connected to either of my machines, and I download something onto my iMac and then something different onto my Macbook, where are my machines going to be storing the new downloaded media
when the drive is not connected, +iTunes media folder location+ will default back to <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music/iTunes/iTunes music (or media)
and when I next connect the external hard drive how will I easily get the newly downloaded media onto the external HD
you'd have to point +iTunes media folder location+ back to the external via preferences > advanced > iTunes media folder location, then file > library, organize library > consolidate files
and essentially, to have it easily readable on both machines?
in that case it might be best to copy the entire iTunes folder to the external. then, on each machine, launch iTunes while pressing option on your keyboard. when prompted, click on +choose library+ and navigate to the iTunes folder on the external.
note only one iTunes can access the iTunes library @ a time !
also, make sure the external is mounted on either machine before launching iTunes.
JGG
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