Trouble Sharing iTunes Library w/2 Accounts/Same Computer

So I moved the music folder to the Public folder and on the last step when I click Open nothing happens
To share your music with multiple user accounts on one computer
On Mac OS X
On Windows
To listen to another account's music files
Open iTunes.
From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.
Click Advanced.
Deselect the option to "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library file."
Click OK.
From the File menu, choose Add to Library.
Note: Windows users can also choose Add Folder to Library to add a folder of songs.
In the window that opens, navigate to the location where the other user's music is saved (the iTunes Media folder in this example).
_*Click Open.*_

I tried that - but now have some follow up questions: (i moved the itunes data, incl movies and music, to the shared drive)
1) while itunes in MY account logged in, when my wife logs in, her itunes picks up un-updated media. so if i added albums and such, it's not reflected in her account.
2) apps - is there a way to also merge the apps, as we both have iphones and share accounts?
THanks for the help!!!

Similar Messages

Sharing iTunes library between two accounts on a single iMac

My wife and I are using the same iMac but through 2 separate accounts, which is quite neat to separate files, preferences, etc.
We have 'ripped' our home CD collection into the iTunes library of my account, and I am now looking for a way for my wife to belisten to the same music on the same computer from her own account.
I have tried the 'Share' functionality in iTunes, but this seems to open access to the library to other iMacs on the networkd, which we don't need.
Any pointers?
tx,
AH
PS Same request for iPhoto, question posted there

This should help:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
Note that when it says "publicly accessible location", it needs to be a place where everyone has read and write access. The most common such place is the Shared folder in the Users folder.

Sharing itunes library between two accounts on the same imac

We just got a 27" imac and my wife and I have our own log on accounts. We share our itunes library. I have moved our itunes library to the shared folder so both of us can see its contents and pointed itunes on both user accounts to that shared folder. But, if she or I purchase an app or music it doesn't go into that shared folder. So I have to copy and paste it into the shared folder. Am I missing something there should be an easier way? I just want us to share the music and iphone apps we purchase.
We are using the same itunes account on the same imac, we just have different user accounts on the imac. Thanks

levidan wrote:
We just got a 27" imac and my wife and I have our own log on accounts. We share our itunes library. I have moved our itunes library to the shared folder so both of us can see its contents and pointed itunes on both user accounts to that shared folder. But, if she or I purchase an app or music it doesn't go into that shared folder. So I have to copy and paste it into the shared folder. Am I missing something there should be an easier way? I just want us to share the music and iphone apps we purchase.
We are using the same itunes account on the same imac, we just have different user accounts on the imac. Thanks
hi levidan and welcome to the discussion area !
take a look at this read for information.

How to automatically sync a shared itunes library between all accounts?

Hi Guys
I have my itunes library on a separate drive in my desktop computer. My account points on this desktop to this library. I have another account on my laptop, set to automount this drive. iTunes on the laptop points to this library also. Both have admin rights to the iTunes library drive. I can add music or files from either account.
In order to sync what each account sees in iTunes, the iTunes Library file and the xml file in each accounts' iTunes folder needs to be the same in both accounts.
This is a pain whenever I have added to the library, eg downloaded a podcast, or ripped a CD. I know I can either manually drag the added files into the window of the iTunes that needs updating, or I can copy the iTunes Library file and the xml file from the most recently modified iTunes, or I can export the added playlist from the newer iTunes then add it to the older iTunes. All of these manual methods are not ideal.
Now, my question is, has anyone achieved an automated way of doing this with the minimum degree of fuss? I'm thinking along the lines of Automator perhaps, or using a backup program on either computer to sync the library files say every night. Or is there another way. Or is my method of sharing one library not the best way. (I know I can use iTunes sharing, but it means I can't modify the library from all accounts.)
Any comments?
Thanks
Michael

have you done a consolidate in iTunes?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301748
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iTunesMac/5.0/en/670.html

Sharing iTunes Library between user accounts...possible?

Hello all,
I'm an experienced Mac user but am currently setting up a new iMac for my family. I've never had more than one user account because I'm the only one who uses my macbook but now my family wants 3 different user accounts for the new iMac in their home.
Because I only use my one user account at home, I never thought about the fact that different user accounts would also split up iTunes music libraries. If I import music from a CD, I would like that to be accessible and available when using any 1 of the 3 user accounts. Is this possible?
For example, my mother and father purchase CDs together...so they both own the same albums. They want to share music on the iMac, but if I import discs twice it takes up twice the amount of time and much more importantly twice the amount of space. How can I get around this??? Can one user access another users iTunes library and make that the default folder?
Thanks for your help as always!!

What you need to do is locate the iTunes Music Folder that contains the actual music in a location that is read/writable by all users. By definition, the security on each user's home folder keeps others out.
A common suggestion is to locate the music in the /Users/Shared/ folder and make sure that everyone has read/write privileges. Bear in mind that means that anyone will be able to delete all the shared music.

Sharing iTunes with new user on same computer

Hi--
I'm adding a user to my computer and I want him to be able to access my music. I've moved the music to a public folder, updated everything; however, when I try to add to library in his account, the music folder has a minus bar on it, even though share music is turned on in MY user account.
I figure I'm doing something wrong, but don't know what it is, and followed all the suggestions on the apple page.
Any other ideas? Thanks!

I don't suppose there's anyway I can just "UNDO" everything and start all over?
Unfortunately no, however we can try to resolve this. Inside your username home folder is the sub-folder labeled Music. Did you just move the iTunes Music folder that's inside the iTunes? If so then you'll need to put it back into the iTunes folder and move the entire folder to your username music folder. The iTunes Library & iTunes Music Library.xml file within the iTunes folder contains your library & playlists info. They need to be kept in the main iTunes folder.

Problems sharing iTunes library across multiple accounts on one imac

I have followed the Mac OS instructions in this article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 to share music accounts on the family iMac by putting the iTunes Media folder in a public directory. When I go to connect to this library the I cannot see the actual iTunes Media folder but the following file path is available: ~/Public/Automatically Add to iTunes.localized. Selecting this folder does not appear to make the library available.
Has anyone had this problem?

iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189
Chris CA's instructions on sharing one iTunes music library between multiple user accounts - https://discussions.apple.com/message/8974074 - Multiple users using a single library file - similar post at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3753008

HT1203 Problems sharing iTunes library across multiple accounts on one imac

I have followed the Mac OS instructions in this article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 to share music accounts on the family iMac. When I go to connect to this library the I cannot see the actual ITunes Media folder but the following file path: ~/Public/Automatically Add to iTunes.localized. Selecting this folder does not appear to make the library available.
Has anyone had this problem?

You'll likely get better assistance in the iTunes for Mac forum instead of the iTunes for Windows forum where you've posted.

Sharing Itunes with another party on same computer

I am currently sharing my itunes with my younger sister, on the same laptop, and she has her own different tast in music, as do I. So now, instead of listening to Death Cab for Cutie, I am stuck with her Pussycat Dolls, and Ludacris. I have tried different ways to resolve this, but I keep getting stuck with her music..Is there something I should be doing differently, or am I stuck listening to her terrible music????? Any ideas???

Hey Boca Jr.,
the easiest way will be starting iTunes 7 holding shift, this will let you create or select another library. Another option is create seperate playlists to sort the music.
This article: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432 also has some tips that may help you.
Jason

How do I move one song from an itunes library to another on same computer?

We share one computer (Mac - powerbook) in the household. We have an Itunes set up with two libraries (so we can manage our own ipod playlists, etc.). On occasion we want to move a copy of a song over to the other's library (cause they like the song too). What is the easiest way to do this?

If you are using multiple libraries within the one Mac User account then use the File>Add to Library option and locate the song in whatever folder you keep your music in (possibly the iTunes Music folder). Simply add the song to whichever library you are in from whatever folder the song is located in.

How to share iTunes library between 2 accounts on 1 Mac

I want to share my library with my son on his account. Both accounts are on the same computer. What steps do I need to take to do this? Thank you in advance.

My wife and I share the same iTunes library on the same Mac but have separate user accounts.
To do this:
1. Make a folder called ‘Music’ in Users/Shared and move your iTunes library to this new folder.
2. Ctrl + click on the ‘Music’ folder and select ‘Get Info’.
3. Click on the padlock icon at the bottom of the ‘Get Info’ window and enter your password.
4. Set the permissions as follows:
Your user name (Me) = Read & Write
Wheel = Read & Write
Everyone = Read & Write
5. Click on the gear icon to the left of the padlock and choose ‘Apply to enclosed items’.
6. Click OK.
7. Close the ‘Get Info’ window.
8. Log into each user account and create an alias to the new shared iTunes library in their User/Home/Music folder (the default location for the iTunes library).
Note: If an iTunes library already exists in the users ‘Music’ folder you will need to delete this first and don’t forget to backup just in case something goes wrong.
Each account will now be able to access the same shared music library.
One final thing which usually catches people out. You will need to tell iTunes to ‘Keep iTunes Music folder organised’ and ‘Copy files to iTunes Music Folder when adding to library’.
To do this:
1. Open iTunes
2. From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences
3. Click Advanced
4. Select the ‘Keep iTunes Music folder organised’ option
5. Select the ‘Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library file’ option
6. Click OK
Note: This needs to be done in both user accounts.
The only slight down side of this method is that if I add any new music to the shared iTunes library in my account, my wife has access but she isn’t able to change the info (artist name, album, track number etc…) as I am the owner of that music (the files have standard permissions applied when added so I have Read & Write access but my wife has read only access). The same applies if my wife adds some music through her user account. This isn’t a problem for me as I’m the one who manages the library and adds music, my wife simply wants to be able to access it.
If you want to manually change the permissions so that both users can change info, simply navigate to the ‘iTunes Music’ folder which is located in Users/Shared/Music/iTunes/ and Change the permissions using the same method above, making sure you ‘Apply to enclosed items’.
This will need to be repeated each time any new music is added. If you want to know how to set things up so both users can change info on tracks without having to manually change permissions each time then this can be done, but it will require delving into ACL permissions.
Message was edited by: ChrisWad

Could not connect to " home shared iTunes library name "

I'm having an issue with iTunes/ Apple TV. Actually it has been ongoing. I have a particular iTunes library shared on a private subnet (together with the Apple TVs) from a Mac Mini. I can connect and play content any time with iTunes on another computer 100% reliably. But around 60% of the time when I try to connect to it from any of my four Apple TV (2's) an error comes up saying "Could not connect to "<home shared iTunes library name>" ", "Make sure the computer is on the same network as your Apple TV. the iTunes version is up to date and iTunes is running". The answer to those questions (as always with such messages is obviously 'yes':
Yes of course we are on the same network. If I wasn't, the library wouldn't have even shown up in the first place before selecting it
Yes iTunes as always is the latest version thanks to Mac Software Update
Again 'dah'. See response #1
If I restart the offending iTunes library the error is resolved (although sometimes it does require reboot of the Apple TV) but could reappear as early as within the next 24 hours. This issue has been occuring for a very long time however appears to be increasing in frequency. It occured as well on the Apple TV (v1).
Anyone with clues on what's going on here?
Thanks
Greg

I agree that the first debug point should be the network. Though like Greg, I use a Mac Mini to serve up movies to a couple of Apple TVs. From the 'problem' Apple TV, I could see other iTunes movie libraries on other Mac(s), and those would work/play fine. It's only when I try to connect to the iTunes Library of the Mac Mini that I have this issue. It's almost like it's asleep, and doesn't respond. Though I can mount the library folder, and play movies from other Macs w/o a problem while the Apple TV still has the problem.
As Greg mentions, closing and re-opening iTunes on the Mini solves the issue (though only temporarily).
The only difference that I have (non-consistency) is that my Mac Mini is an older model, and cannot be upgraded to run Lion (10.7.x) like my other Macs. The Mini is running 10.6.8, and iTunes 10.6.1 (32-bit). My Macs are running 10.7.3 and the 64-bit version of iTunes 10.6.1.
Is it possible it could be a 10.6 vs. a 10.7 issue? Greg, which version of OS X are your Macs running?

Sharing itunes library across accounts on the same IMac

How do you share your ITunes library with other accounts on the same IMac? There's clear advice how to share it with other networked computers, but how do you do it across accounts on the same IMac?

You can copy the desired library to the shared folder.
You then need to go to each iTunes app. in the various users and change the iTunes music folder location.
Macintosh-HD:Users:shared:iTunes

Question re. sharing iTunes library with other user accounts

I have seen this document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
I want to share one library with four users on my account. I'd like for any music purchased or ripped to this computer to end up in User 1's iTunes library, and for Users 2, 3 and 4 to have access to User 1s library just as User 1 does.
When I follow the directions for "Listening to another account's music files" in the above referenced document, it tells me to navigate to User 1's library through the dialog box that pops up after User 2 clicks "Add to LIbrary".
The problem is, when User 2 is doing that, and User 1 has put the iTunes library in ~user1/public, as the directions suggest, that dialog box won't allow user 2 to access User 1's Public folder.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance...
Chris

Another long description in store here...
iTunes has two main elements. One is the library.itl database file. When you open iTunes it is this that you see. It contains what music is in a library, playlists, date added, playcount, etc. It is this that is really the library. The other element are the media files. When you tell iTunes to play a track it checks in its library file which music file is associated with that track and goes and plays it.
Now you say, "for Users 2, 3 and 4 to have access to User 1s library just as User 1 does." Do you really want User 4 to be able to go and delete or rename tracks, or change the playlists? This can be done if you really want it. Or do you want each person to keep their own library [file] and share media? Even that has disadvantages as a person might still be able to rename a file or even delete it for all. At least everybody would have their own playlists, ratings, etc, though a person could delete a file and then it would appear as a broken link for others. To be honest, iTunes isn't great for sharing.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Exactly what you want to do will involve different setups so before going into detailed insructions it would help to know which ones to provide. Here's an sampling:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189
Chris CA's instructions on sharing one iTunes music library between multiple user accounts - https://discussions.apple.com/message/8974074 - Multiple users using a single library file - similar post at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3753008
iTunes Home Sharing now works between users on same computer - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3865597 The problem with HS is I think you then end up with multiple copies of files, one for each user. At least they cannot damage another's collection though.

Sharing iTunes library between two users on the same Mac

I recently bought my parents a new MacBook Pro (they switched from Windows). I was able to get all of their songs over and into my dad's iTunes library. My mom and dad each have separate accounts on the MBP, but they'd both like to be able to see (and listen to) the same iTunes library, not at the same time, obviously.
Is that possible? If so how? Is it enough to point my mom's iTunes to the same folder? Do I need to put special permissions on that iTunes folder while logged into my dad's account?

brown_sm wrote:
I recently bought my parents a new MacBook Pro (they switched from Windows). I was able to get all of their songs over and into my dad's iTunes library. My mom and dad each have separate accounts on the MBP, but they'd both like to be able to see (and listen to) the same iTunes library, not at the same time, obviously.
Is that possible? If so how?
the easy way is to use itunes sharing. start itunes in your dad's account and enable sharing in itunes preferences->sharing. then other users including your mother will be able to listen to the songs from your dad's itunes library but ONLY while your dad is logged in. so in order for this to work both of them should be logged in at the same time. to make that possible enable fast user switching in system preferences->accounts->login options. However, this is not terribly convenient.
it's possibly (but surprisingly tricky) to use the same itunes library without having both users logged in at the same time.
Is it enough to point my mom's iTunes to the same folder? Do I need to put special permissions on that iTunes folder while logged into my dad's account?
yes. not just permissions. you need to put inherited ACLs on your dads Music folder to give both of them read+write access to all current and future files in it. so log in as your dad and run the following terminal command (copy and paste please)
chmod -R +a "username allow delete,chown,list,search,add_file,\
addsubdirectory,delete_child,file_inherit,directoryinherit" ~/Music
instead of username put the short user name of your dad's account. it's the same as the name of his home directory in /Users. then repeat the command with your mother's username instead of your dad's. after that log out of your dad's account, log into your mom's account and point her itunes library to his itunes library. to do that start itunes while holding option.

Trouble Sharing iTunes Library w/2 Accounts/Same Computer

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