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.
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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.
We are having trouble properly running the phones iTunes accounts on the new MacBook Air. I have also tried setting up “Home-sharing” for my home MacBook Air and work Windows XP OS, but seems not to work correctly, so would like to cancel “Home-sharing” on the MacBook Air and Windows and just use the Mac for updating iTunes (podcast).
We had the same iTunes account for both devices on our home Windows OS, but would like to make separate accounts on the new MacBook Air machine.
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 - 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.

How do I move iTunes to new Mac from ext drive?

I bought a new Macbook Air and need help moving my iTunes library from an external drive to the new computer. (My old Macbook Pro ran out of disk space so I moved the entire library to the other drive). Now that I have new Air, how do I properly move the library from the ext drive? Thanks.

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 iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
If you 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.)
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.
Unless you have a very small library I expect you'll be moving it back soon.

Importing itunes to new mac from itunes on windows or windows format ipod

I just recently purchased a new mac mini and an airport wireless network. I have shared my itunes library with the mac seemlessly from a windows laptop. It is my understanding that I should be able to download my store purchases to the mac, however haven't been able to find that option. My entire library is available on the mac but it requires having to have my windows machine fired up with itunes running in order to access my library. I also have a windows formatted ipod that when plugged into the mac will not let me copy anything into the mac library. I would like to have at least my purchased content accessible on the new mac without having to have my laptop running. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

Thanks for your prompt reply. For your information there is a broken link on that page "Transfer from your Ipod"
Document not found
The article you're looking for could not be found. Please start over, search Apple's Knowledge Base, or visit the Discussion area.
The Knowledge Base contains technical information for Apple Products. Apple's Discussion Forum area allows you to search previous customer questions and answers, or post a new question which may be answered by other Apple customers, or Apple Representatives.

Transferring files to new Mac from pc

Hi, our old PC recently crashed and we have now "seen the light" and bought a new mac. Luckily, we were able to get a back-up of the hard drive of the old PC. I was wondering how to get my music from the back-up discs of my PC into I -tunes on my mac. I have seen lots of posts on new computers, but all seem to tell me to consolidate my old library etc. - which I don't have the option of doing. I tried moving my new music folder (albums I've bought on the new mac) to the desktop and copying the I-tunes folder to the music directory on the new machine, but when i open i-tunes it did not find any of the old music.
Any help would be appreciated.
imac Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Found another discussion that answered my question.

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

Transfer iTunes to new Mac from Time Machine, then sync with iPhone

Hi everyone,
I just sold my old Macbook (everything was backed up with Time Machine) and bought a new Macbook Pro. Now I want to copy the iTunes library back. The problem is, even if I copy all the music, video, apps, iTunes U... from Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/... to the new Macbook, iTunes still thinks (rightfully) that it is a new machine. So if I plug my iPhone to it and try to sync, it will ask to *remove all my apps*, music, contacts... and resync again. That would probably *remove every user data* I have in those apps.
Do you have any solution?

By any chance do you still have the old computer? If you do then copy /Home/Music/iTunes/ folder on the old computer to an external drive then transfer it to the new computer.
If you don't have the old computer then you have a little bit of a problem. Did you use Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant to transfer your files from the TM backup? Is the username (account short name) on the new computer the same as on the old computer? I'm guessing "no" because you are getting the permissions errors.

How can I transfer my iTunes library to a new Mac from a Macbook

How can I transfer my iTunes library to a new Mac from a Macbook

Type "move itunes library" into the google search bar.
Copy the entire itunes folder from one computer to the other.
Use migration assistant.

HT4527 Okay ... So I wish to transfer my itunes library to a new mac from a PC. Question, I do not have an single "iTunes" folder, I have three, because I have created several itunes libraries: Richard's iTunes, Justin's iTunes, and Rachael's iTunes fo

I am trying to follow the instrucitons for moving my iTunes account to a new Mac from a PC. I wish to use the External Hardrive Method, (also I have too much info to fit into the free iCloud space) ... and I am wondering how to handle several iTunes accounts for my son and daughter. We all share the itunes media folder, but I use the control-click option to open either mine, my sons, or my dauthers account.
I.e. On the old windows PC I have itunes, Richard's itunes, Justin's itunes, and Rachael's iTunes folders. The instructions speak of the simple itunes folder ... so, do I copy all of these folders to the external hard drive and will things operate as before?

Yes, you copy each one's iTunes folder to the /Home/Music/ folder in each of their separate user accounts. You will first need to create a separate user account for each of them using the Users & Groups preferences.
MacWorld - Move an iTunes library from a Windows PC to a Mac
Mac OS X 10.7 Help- Create a new user or group account
Mac OS X- Setting Up User Accounts

I Have a Ipod Classic that all my music is on. After my previous computer crashed I have not had any of my music able to be transfered to the new computer from the Ipod. Is there a way to do this

I Have a Ipod Classic that all my music is on.
After my previous computer crashed I have not had any of my music able to be transfered to the new computer from the Ipod.
Is there a way to do this?

Unfortunately, unless you have a backup and can restore the iTunes library to the new computer, you are stuck with the current state of the iPod. This is one of those things that makes doing backups so important.
Unless your music is all purchased from iTunes (not from your own CD's that you imported into iTunes and then downloaded to the iPod), you will be able to re-download all your iTunes store music back to the iPod when you install iTunes on the new computer. When you first attach the iPod to the new computer and new iTunes the first time it will tell you that this iPod is synced with another iTunes library and let you initialize the iPod (which will erase everything on the iPod - so don't do this unless you don't care about the stuff on the iPod now).
I've seen 3rd party apps in the past that will let you copy music/content from iPod to computer and bypass iTunes, but not sure if they still exist as this was several years ago.
good luck

Re-Creating Entire System on New Mac From External Drive Using Time Machine

Hi all -
Sorry if this question has been posted, I've look extensively and haven't seen it in this exact form, and I'm paranoid about this stuff. I also can't get a straight answer from Apple store employees.
I travel extensively with my MacBook, and when I'm home, I use Time Machine to back up all data from my MacBook onto an OWC external hard drive.
My question is, if my MacBook is ever lost, stolen, or damaged, and its internal hard drive is no longer accessible, and I have to buy a new MacBook, can I use Time Machine to access the backup data on my external drive and transfer it to my new MacBook's internal drive, thus re-creating my entire system on my new MacBook, including all settings, preferences, files, absolutely everything exactly as it was on my old MacBook?
This is by far the most likely need I'll ever have for this backup data, so if Time Machine doesn't help me to re-create my system exactly as it was on a new laptop, it's not of much use, and I'll switch backup software.
Related question - I read somewhere that Time Machine keeps making backups on your external hard drive until it runs out of space. Does that mean it literally uses up every bit of space on the external drive? Because overstuffing my old external drive is what killed it, and cost me a huge chunk of change and several weeks to get the recoverable data off the drive. Or does Time Machine know enough to stop backing up when there is only "X" amount of space left on the drive, and if so, at what amount of remaining free space does it stop?
Thanks for your help!

If you need to restore everything to a new Mac, you simply have your TM drive connected when you start up the new Mac and during the Welcome routine that runs when you start up a new Mac for the first time you will be presented with the option of migrating your user info, settings, files, applications, etc., from a Time Machine backup. You just click "Yes" and all your backed-up info will be transferred to your new Mac.
Time Machine continuous "cleans up" backups so you do not need to worry about TM pushing a drive to its capacity limits, or even close to that.

I just got a new macbook. Is there any way I can transfer pictures or music to this new mac from my old one?

I just got a new macbook. Is there any way I can transfer pictures or music to this new mac from my old one?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
There are different ways to transfer your data from another Mac, but as you just want to transfer pictures and music, the best way is to use an external drive. You can also connect them with a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable, but you need specific Macs to do it, so I prefer the external drive method.
You just have to get an external drive and plug it to the old Mac. Then, open Finder, navigate to the folders with your pictures and music, and drag them to the external drive in the Finder sidebar, under "Devices".
Then, connect the external drive to the new Mac and you will see the external drive in the Finder sidebar after opening a Finder window, so choose it. Then, just copy the pictures and music to the folder you want, for example, Music or Pictures

ITunes on new Mac Mini does not show shared libraries on network or songs on NAS drive

iTunes on new Mac Mini does not show shared libraries on network or songs on NAS drive
The latest version of iTunes on a 3-month old Mac Mini (8 gig RAM, OS 10.10.2) does not see any of the shared iTunes libraries on a MacBookPro (MBP) (OS 10.9.5) and a 14-month old Mac Mini (OS 10.9.5). And a network shared drive/media server does not appear as well. I have a Gigabite Ethernet G4 and on it, the MPB and the "old" mini I can see the various shared music libraries and NAS, but not on the new Mini.
The little house with a music note inside it that I see on the upper left corner of the iTunes 12.1 window on my MBP does not appear on iTunes 12.1 on the new Mac Mini. I have gone through all the iTunes preferences and can not find where I can turn on this feature. The new Mac Mini is on the local network and I can reach the internet successfully.
I have been using iTunes since its beginning (still have a PowerTower Pro with a working copy of SoundJam), so I am not a newbie, but this has me baffled.

May I add, that I gave full rights to the user at the Mac Mini to access and change data on the server drive for ITunes Media.

Black screen after transferring data to new Mac

I just migrated data to my new Mac from my old one using the Migration Assistant. The old Mac indicated the transfer was complete, but I can only see a black screen on the new Mac, even after turning it on and off.

The way the link in my last reply said:
Starting up in Safe Mode
Follow these steps to start up into Safe Mode.
Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup sound, press and hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be pressed as soon as possible after startup, but not before the startup sound.
Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
After the Apple logo appears, it may take longer than usual to reach the login screen. This is because your computer is performing a directory check as part of Safe Mode.

Transferring itunes to new mac from pc via external harddrive

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