Transferring iTunes to a Mac

I have over 14000 songs on my iPod and have them backed up on an external hard drive from a windows system. I just purchased a Mac and would like to get everything transferred over for the Mac system. I however do not want my iTunes to be on the computer because of a lack of memory, just want to be able to work from the external hard drive. What is the best n easiest way to do this and not lose anything? I have song mostly from CDs, but have purchased ones too. Any help would be great.

Use the manual method of syncing
iTunes: Syncing media content to iOS devices and iPod
If you want to make this your syncing computer
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities

Similar Messages

  • Transferring iTunes to new Mac - several problems

    I'm upgrading from an old MacPro, OS X version 10.6.8 to a new Mac Mini, version 10.10.2.  iTunes versions 11.2.2 to 12.1.0.   I updated iTunes on the New Mac, and registered the New Mac with the iTunes Store.  I then connected the two Macs and transferred the entire iTunes directory from Old Mac to New Mac.  But:
    (1)  I only see 39 of my 161 apps in the app view.  The missing apps aren't listed at all.
    (2)  My play lists are all messed up - like they're old versions of the playlists
    (3)  All my Apple Store purchased music is listed as "in the cloud" rather than being local and resident on the New Mac, even though all the files transferred
    (4)  My Audible-purchased audiobooks are also not present in the library list even though all the ".aa" files transferred
    Thinking I screwed up, I trashed the entire iTunes directory on the New Mac and did the whole process over again.  And I checked in iTunes Preferences Advanced to ensure the library was pointing to the right directory.
    Help!  I really shouldn't have to re-download all my songs, re-download all my audiobooks, re-download ~130 apps, and rebuild all my playlists.  Please tell me it is something simple.
    Many advanced thanks.

    Moving a library: Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its sub-folders and files) intact to the other drive.  Hold down the option (alt) key (shift on Windows) and open iTunes.  At the prompt to create or choose a library choose the copied iTunes folder.
    When this is to a new computer put the copied iTunes folder in the default location of Macintosh HD > Users > *User Name* > Music  then you don't even need to start with the option key held down, iTunes will automatically look for it there.  (Make sure there isn't anything already in the iTunes folder there that you want to keep since you will be replacing it with the one you are moving.)
    If you did the above and it did not work then sometime in the past you did something that changed the configuration of iTunes files on your computer.  We will not know for sure what to advise unless you tell us what it was you did.
    Longer answers if for any reason you do not think all library files are inside your iTunes folder (changed preferences settings at some point):
    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
    For the record there's this reference for iTunes 11 but it really doesn't strike me as having the specifics you need. iTunes 11 for Mac: Move your library to another computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12168
    2011 ilounge article: Transferring your iTunes library - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/  - An article with good background information (similar to the links above), particularly if you are not sure your media files are all grouped for quick answer above. Unfortunately under the single term "transferring library" it describes two very different moves; relocating just your media (not  really transferring your library and not recommended unless you really need this configuration), and relocating media+database (really your whole "library").  Make sure you understand the difference before electing to move only media.

  • Transferring iTunes to new Mac from Windows

    Hello, My wife and I both have iPhone 4s, and just purchased a MacBook Air, and recently updated to Lion OS. Previously, our iTunes / iPhones was on a Windows XP OS.
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    It would be highly grateful to receive advice on how to reinstall iTunes and setting up our phones on 2 different accounts on the MacBook Air. 
    Thank you in advance for the kind assistance.
    Thomas

    I have the same exact question. Why doesn't apple have better documentation????
    Question: how do I move my entire library PLUS ALL THE ASSOCIATED PLAYLISTS/RATING HISTORY/SKIP HISTORY/PLAYCOUNT HISTORY/etc, WITHOUT CREATING DUPLICATES, to my new mac from my Vista machine?
    My situation: Vista machine; meta data saved on my Vista machine hard drive*, but the music files are on an external hard drive.
    Solution: ???. (I'm guessing it's as simple as saving the library meta file to a cd, then put the cd in the mac, and double click the file, and then all that library info would be added to iTunes on the mac .... but then how do you then add the music to the mac so that the library finds each song that it's supposed to find, without creating duplicates, while keeping all your rating history, skip history, playcount, playlists, etc???)
    Thanks so much!!!
    http://www.screencast.com/users/washingtonpondfrog/folders/Jing/media/f2055a75-0 776-46f8-be53-4ab5c4fba397
    http://www.screencast.com/users/washingtonpondfrog/folders/Jing/media/1070b10b-6 c90-4de7-86b9-4fd096d8ed5f

  • Transferring Itunes to new mac

    Recently my dell computer crashed with my whole itunes of 1000+ songs on it. I have all of the songs on my Ipod touch still but am wondering that if when I plug in my Ipod to my new MacBook Pro if it will transfer my songs onto the itunes on my mac or if it will erase all of the songs that I have on my Ipod being that I connected it to an empty itunes. Is there some way that I can do this safely without having to risk losing all of my songs?

    check out this post by Zevoneer.
    also, there is PhoneView.
    additionally, check out [this|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12257908#12257908] post by *Chris CA*.
    JGG

  • Transferring iTunes PC to MAC - 1 additional quesiton

    I've no doubt the iTunes from PC to Mac is done to death as it is quite a tricky procedure BUT I've found places the help with it such as the below:
    http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/move_itunes_windows_mac.html
    I transferred my iTunes collection over and failed miserably! It messed up playlists, metadata and didn't copy large portions of the collection. Despite doing everything above. Anyway, it's now my DAD (the later PC to mac switcher!) to do his vast iTunes library.
    But I had one question that I just need some expert advice and help with:
    All the instructions for moving an iTunes library seem to presume that the iTunes library is on the main HDD or in the same destination as the library folder.
    However, a large part of my fathers collection if from his VINYL collection - so he has used a USB deck to put them onto his computer. Due to the size of this library they are kept on a separate hard drive.
    If I consolidate the library as iTunes asks it will put it onto the C drive - in which case I'll run out of room.
    Any tips around this? Or a more straight forward way to copy iTunes like a - copy iTunes library option or something? Maybe there is an app or something?
    Thanks in advance

    Locate them in the Finder, drag them to the Mac's hard disk, and from there into the open iTunes application window.
    (51416)

  • Transferring iTunes music from Mac to PC?

    My mom and I gave my sister a new iPod nano to my sister for a gift. The iPod will not mount on her iMac G3 (10.3.9) where all of her music is but it will mount on her PC running Windows XP. Both computers have firewire. Is it possible to hook them together via firewire and simply transfer her Mac iTunes library to her PC iTunes library? Will the PC just show up as a drive on her Mac if she hooks the computers up via firewire?
    Also, she has some music she wants in her System 9 iTunes library. Where is the iTunes library for System 9 located on the HD? Can she just drag her System 9 iTunes music from from whatever folder they are in to the iTunes library on her PC?

    Thank you for the information about the location of the iTunes System 9 library and about needing MacDrive for a firewire transfer but I doubt if my sister would want to fork over the money for it. Also, she doesn't have any other iPod other than the new one we gave her which won't mount on her Mac. My sisters Mac and PC are networked as they are both hooked up via router to the internet but both she and I are clueless about how to get the PC to show up on her Mac.
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  • Transferring itunes to new mac from pc via external harddrive

    hi
    does anyone know how to transfer my itunes library from my old pc to my new mac without wading through thousands of discs ?
    thank you anyone !?

    Choose Consolidate Library from the Advanced menu in iTunes, copy the folder \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes to the external drive, where username is your account's name, and move it to the folder named Music of the folder in the Finder's sidebar with the house icon, renaming items as needed.
    (23990)

  • Transferring iTunes music library from a mac to a PC

    Hi
    Does anyone know how i can transfer all the songs on my mac iTunes to my new windows iTunes? I followed the instructions on the msn support website but these instructions must only be for transferring the iTunes library from a mac to a mac, or from a pc to another pc, and not from a mac to pc or vice versa.
    I`ve just bought a laptop to take to university and i want to bring my music library with me.
    When i loaded up my itunes from mac onto the pc it just keeps saying windows does not recognise the type of file. Is there a way of changing the settings so that windows will recognise and run a mac file?
    If anyone knows that'd be of great help

    The music files will transfer and play without a problem.
    You will need to download a Windows version of iTunes and the iPod Updater in order to use the PC. The Mac versions will not work.
    iPod Updater
    iTunes Download Page
    There may be some problem with the Windows version of iTunes reading the Mac's iTunes Library file. This may prevent you from completely moving over some of the music meta-data from the Mac to the PC.
    There have been some posts on this, but I'll need to search for them.
    Also see this for the transfer process: Buegie, "transfering music to another pc." #4, 11:22pm Oct 14, 2005 CDT
    EDIT: Based on an old post I had copied into my "iPod Hints" file, here is how one contributer gave a high-level process:
    i 1) copy the iTunes Music folder to your Windows machine, replacing the existing folder (back up the existing one first)
    i 2) copy the iTunes Music Library.xml file to your Windows machine, and change the name to e.g. iTunesMac.xml so iTunes won't write over it.
    i 3) delete any "iTunes Library.itl" file (back up the existing one)
    i 4) run iTunes, and do File > Import... and pick iTunesMac.xml
    Hope this helps.

  • HT201272 itunes was on mac book that crashed.  Did all steps to download purchased music onto new computer.  Only part of my purchased music was transferred to new computer.  Can't recover remainder of purchased music.

    itunes was on mac book that crashed.  Trying to move music and podcasts to wifes windows 7 pc.  Followed all steps for importing purchased items.   Only a portion of purchased music was transferred to new computer.  What to do???

    JustMeAndYou,
    For what it's worth ...
    Apple's policy is clear: iTS purchases can be downloaded only once. It is your responsibility to make back-ups . (For most people, this will involve either CD's/DVD's or an external drive .)
    That being said, at their discretion they have made one-time exceptions to this policy. You can ask for an exception by submitting the form on this page:
    http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/browser/
    Good Luck! But whatever the response from Apple, remember:
    Your music is valuable - please back it up!

  • Transferred iTunes library from pc to new mac, iTunes ; however, when opening iTunes on mac it reports the library was created with a newer version of iTunes and won't open.

    Transferred Itunes library from pc to new mac; however, when opening itunes on the new mac it reported that the library was created with a newer version of itunes and could not be opened. It asked if I wanted to download updates and I did. However, the new mac is up to date. Itunes won't open. What to do now? Any help would be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Jim

    Hello, Stephen.
    Thank you for the question.  You will need to rebuild your iTunes library file in order to open an older version of iTunes.  Below, I have included the article that walks you through this process.  Start with the section labeled Re-creating the iTunes Library file.
    iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
    Cheers,
    Jason H. 

  • Transfering Itunes from PC to Mac?

    Hi All,
    This is the first time I've posted. Excuse my ignorance but I've never really worked with Mac. I'm really excited to buy my first apple next week!
    My question is about transfering my itunes from my PC (XP) to the Imac Dual Core I will be purchasing next week.
    I already have my itunes music folder on an external hard drive. The data files although are still physically on my PC (My Documents). Will I have to transfer those as well? What info is acutally on those files? I'm not so much worried about the music because with it being on the external drive they should be easy to transfer (I'm hoping). I would hate to lose all my album art. I would appreciate anyone who could assist this newbie.
    Thanks in advance!
    david
    in SJ

    Welcome to Discussions,
    You made the first step already by transferring your music to an external HD.
    Normally, the album art is stored inside the music files (MP3 and AAC. I don't know how the Windows version of iTunes stores it in WAV or other Windows-specific files.
    iTunes stores the locations of the songs and lots of other data in the 'iTunes Library' file (iTunes Library.itl on a PC)
    Most data is also stored in the 'iTunes Music Library.xml' file.
    Copying this file to the ext. HD and later to the Mac could help you to restore the library.
    The next procedure works with the Mac version of the .xml file and it might work with the Windows version.
    After running iTunes on the Mac for the first time, select 'Import...' from the File menu in the menubar and navigate to the .xml file.
    Select 'Choose' and if it works, your library and playlists will appear.
    Read more in this articles:
    iTunes: How to copy music between authorized computers
    What are the iTunes library files?
    17' iMac fp 800 MHz 768 MB RAM   Mac OS X (10.3.9)   Several ext. HD (backup and data)

  • Permissions Issues after Transferring iTunes Library to new Mac.

    My intention is to move the library off my old iMac, and keep the iTunes library on the new one, while still keeping the old iMac around.  After the transfer i intend to delete the library off the old one, and use HomeSharing to utlize iTunes on both Macs.  Also, the old iMac is where our family has synced ever iPod, iPhone, & iPad we've owned...  I've been on the support community for almost two days now, and thought I had it figured out, but... i obviously don't.  So i apologize if there is a thread that already answers this question, if so, please be kind
    in the process of moving my iTunes from my old iMac (iMac7,1 - OS X 10.6.8) to my new iMac (iMac Late 2012 - OS X 10.8.5) i used the instructions on: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527.  It identified how to move the library found in (on my old iMac) VolumeA/music/iTunes.  I used the External Hard Drive method, only I linked up the two iMacs with an Ethernet cable (direct connect, no router) and copied the iTunes folder (as described in the instructions) to the desktop of the new iMac. Then I pasted the iTunes folder over the existing folder on the new iMac.
    Now I'm having trouble with permissions on the new iMac now.   At first iTunes wouldn't even open.  It said I didn't have permission, or the library was in a locked file.  I thought I had it figured out by going into "get info"  in the iTunes folder (on the new iMac) and adjusting the permissions.  which worked as far as allowing iTunes to open now (Both computers are running iTunes 11.1 (126)).
    Now that i've synced my iphone 5 with the iTunes (on the new iMac) i noticed that some of the songs wouldn't sync because I don't have permission...?
    Beginning to think I've screwed this whole thing up...
    Also, I noticed that there is another iTunes folder, that wasn't discussed in this article:  VolumeA/Library/iTunes - Do i need to copy this one over as well?
    I'm such a noob at this that i'm almost embarrased to ask for some help, but PLEASE HELP!!  I haven't touched my old iMac's library, and won't until
    Thanks in advance for anything you can do!

    It helps to know which instructions you are following.  Some people follow the wrong instructions and just move media, not the whole library which consists of many files and folders.  You do not do it with changing preferences.
    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
    Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the library.

  • Transferring itunes library from a Mac to a PC

    Can I transfer all my music in iTunes from a Mac to a PC with Windows Vista using my iPod? If so, how do I do that?

    I just purchased a Mac Pro - switching from a PC. I plugged in my iPod Touch and the iTunes on my mac will not let me sync my Touch because it says I am already synced with another library. This is something I would expect from Microsoft not Apple!
    This article did not help. I was able to follow all instructions, but my version of iTunes doesn't seem to have an import library selection.
    How can I syncmy iPod with my new Mac without having to record in all my music again?
    Thanks

  • Transfering itunes music from one computer to my mac itunes

    I have itunes on my old pc laptop and want to move all my music to my itunes on my mac.. how do i do this? i have a brand new macbook and have the newest update for itunes.

    The Apple Store will do this for you or you can call Apple support and they will walk you through it.

  • Transferring itunes for windows to a new Mac

    hi, i will be picking up a mac mini, and wanted to know an easy way to transfer my itunes purchases from Windows to the mini, and sync my ipod, iphone 3G and ipad

    I have the same exact question. Why doesn't apple have better documentation????
    Question: how do I move my entire library PLUS ALL THE ASSOCIATED PLAYLISTS/RATING HISTORY/SKIP HISTORY/PLAYCOUNT HISTORY/etc, WITHOUT CREATING DUPLICATES, to my new mac from my Vista machine?
    My situation: Vista machine; meta data saved on my Vista machine hard drive*, but the music files are on an external hard drive.
    Solution: ???. (I'm guessing it's as simple as saving the library meta file to a cd, then put the cd in the mac, and double click the file, and then all that library info would be added to iTunes on the mac .... but then how do you then add the music to the mac so that the library finds each song that it's supposed to find, without creating duplicates, while keeping all your rating history, skip history, playcount, playlists, etc???)
    Thanks so much!!!
    http://www.screencast.com/users/washingtonpondfrog/folders/Jing/media/f2055a75-0 776-46f8-be53-4ab5c4fba397
    http://www.screencast.com/users/washingtonpondfrog/folders/Jing/media/1070b10b-6 c90-4de7-86b9-4fd096d8ed5f

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