Using a single iTunes library with multiple logins.

I've setup my iMac to have multiple logins for everyone in my family. I'd like everyone to use the same iTunes library, though, so that all purchases and playlists can be seen and used by everyone. I have it so that everyone has the same files, but not the same library. That is, the playlists don't come through on the other logins, and purchases made from one login don't translate to another.
I'm not trying to rip anyone off, I just want my whole family to have the same library.
Is this possible?

padrepablo wrote:
Thanks much, but I've done that. That method shares FILES but not the LIBRARY
Then you missed a step or two.
The steps above share the entire iTunes library (media, artwork, playlists, library file, Genius files, everything).
In the Music/iTunes folder on everyone's login is a file called iTunes Library.itl.
Yes, and holding Option and selecting Choose library allows you to select which iTunes library you want to use.
THAT is the file I want to share, but I can't seem to move it.
The steps above will do exactly what you want.
All users will use the exact same iTunes library.
You need to hold Option and select Choose library (notice is says, "Library").
Once you copy your /Music/iTunes/ folder to /Users/Shared/ folder, everyone can delete /Username/iTunes/ folder.

Similar Messages

Using a single itunes library with multiple iphones?

My wife got an iPhone 3GS recently and I already have a 4S. I plan to use an existing iTunes install on a single PC to manage them both. I see that Apple support articles say it's worth keeping iTunes libaries separate (with separate Windows user accounts) when there are multiple iPhones using iTunes on one PC.
I like to manually manage music, videos and podcasts in my iTunes library rather than use synching. I like the idea of having a shared pool of music, videos and apps for us both to use. I know apps that are purchased on my iPhone or my wife's are linked to a specific apple ID so that means if she transfers any apps that were bought on my phone originally, her phone will ask her for my apple ID password when they get updates. But sharing passwords with eachother isn't a problem.
I can create a second user account for my wife easily, but I kind of have the feeling I'd prefer to share a single library as I say.
Are there any other reasons I need to keep 2 user accounts and 2 iTunes libraries going when I manually manage the transfer of content?
Cheers.

MikeBelfast wrote:
I can create a second user account for my wife easily, but I kind of have the feeling I'd prefer to share a single library as I say.
Adn this can easily be done.
Move your /Music/iTunes/ folder to a Shared directory (such as /Users/Public/ folder) and everyone can use this single library.
Each user must quit iTunes before the other can open it.
Just hold Shift, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder in the shared directory.
The big advantage with separate Windows user accounts, data such as photos, calendars, emails, and everything else will be separate.

How to use a single iTunes library when using multiple Windows Accounts

Has anyone had success using a common iTunes library between multiple accounts on a single computer? I've tried and have been able to point all of the "different" iTunes programs in the different profiles to the same place...however, when I add files in one profile, they are not visible in any others. I've authorized the "different" iTunes in each profile to play music with my various iTunes store accounts...but no luck.
Any thoughts? (As an aside, what happened to the days when Apple made everything simple? I mean, REALLY SIMPLE! They worked hard at that...and seem to have just given up on the things that made them GREAT! <sigh>)

Drag the entire iTunes folder to a shared directory.
Make sure all users have full access privileges to this folder.
Start iTunes holding the Shift key and select *Choose existing library*.
Now quit iTunes, log out and go the next user.
Start iTunes holding the Shift key and select *Choose existing library*.
Do this for each user.

I and my brother have different apple id's but are using the single itunes library on our home PC.When i am syncing my iphone most of the times the apps that were purchased with my brothers apple id is also getting on my iphone.

i and my brother have different apple id's but are using the single itunes library on our home PC.When i am syncing my iphone most of the times the apps that were purchased with my brothers apple id is also getting on my iphone.
How do i differentiate the apps that were purchased with my apple id and sync accordingly.As i want only the apps that were purchased in my apple id.
I am aware of the fact that i can click on the app and check with "getinfo" to see with whose apple id it is brought.but there are hundreds app which i cannot check one by one.
How do i filter the apps with apple id and sync?

Connect the device to the computer.
Open iTunes.
Select the content desired to sync.
Sync.

Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?

Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?
note: one library universally shared, not Home Sharing (one library each, shared to each.)
I want to share one library stores on my server and access it through various local computers. When I buy a song from a computer (non-server), I want it to be added to the library (stored on server). I want it to auto copy to my server, for organization. I want to be able to sync my phone from any computer.
Most of this I can do, if i figure out how to use one universal library for all my computers.
Any ideas how I can do this?

eyeinit,
You can authorize your iTunes account on up to 5 computers at a time.
However, purchased music is downloaded to the first machine to download it, but these articles have more information on moving your music between authorized computers:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93063
This one is for moving all your music using an iPod as a storage drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
Hope this helps,
Nathan C.

My gen 3 iPod Touch seems to have duplicated all my music since updating to IOS 5 so that it now only holds half as much. What can I do about it? I'm using the same iTunes library with OS 10.6 and all software up to date.

My gen 3 iPod Touch seems to have duplicated all my music since updating to IOS 5 so that it now only holds half as much. What can I do about it? I'm using the same iTunes library with OS 10.6 and all software up to date.

Is the camera damaged? Could be a hardware problem.
Try:
Close the Camera app in the multitasking bar, then try again.
Restart/Reset/Restore your iPod. In that order.

How to share Itunes library with multiple users on same laptop

I have a macbook pro and am the administrator. I have a profile for my daughter as well. How can I share my itunes library with her without manually loading all the songs on her profile which would take up more memory. Can someone please send me a step by step guide as I am struggling with this. Thanks. Jasu UK.

Move the iTunes library to a location accessible by all accounts on the computer, such as /Users/Shared/ on a Mac, which can be done from the Advanced section of the iTunes preferences. Next, open her copy of iTunes, turn off the option to automatically copy songs to the iTunes Music folder from the same section of the preferences, and drag the folder into the open iTunes window.
(33546)

Using single iTunes library for multiple computers

With the new Airport Disk utility, can I attach an external hard drive with my iTunes library and have multiple computers point to that library as the library for each?

BKRonline wrote:
neptune2000 wrote:
A BIG WARNING (...) If you are a good guy and use ONLY one computer to read/write (i.e., to copy music to it) and all the others are read only (which cannot be enforced in software), then you're OK. Consider yourself warned.
just to clarify...
Use ONE computer and ONE COMPUTER ONLY for purchasing / adding new content to the 'master' iTunes library area. Use ANY OTHER COMPUTER that's looking at that 'master' iTunes library for reading (playing back).
Yes. If you can enforce it by "persuasion", not software
Would there be a conflict if someone rates songs from other computers etc?
Yes. If they both rate at the same time.

Accessing a single itunes library from multiple macs using a NAS???

hi, at the moment i have a imac g5 holding all my itunes library files on its hard drive. i'm about to buy another mac to locate downstairs, and also have itunes on my windows laptop.
i am thinking of moving the itunes library to a networked attached storage device, something like the buffalo terastation. does anyone have experience of this? does it work well over a wireless network? (802.11g)
how easy is this to set up, and make each mac point to the library on the NAS device? are there any problems with ripping cds to the NAS device, or multiple macs accessing different songs at the same time?
what would i need to do on each mac to make if see the library if i moved it to the NAS?
sorry for the questions, but i know what i want to do, just not quite sure how to do it!
thanks, andy

hi,
sorry i haven't tried this. i've now resorted to
buying a mac mini, attaching an external firewire
harddrive and using itunes sharing. still means i
have to have the mac mini on all the time, so not
ideal. i decided not to buy the nas for the time
being. i'm still interested in hearing if it works on
other peoples systems tho!
There are others who have done something similar in that they created a shared folder on one computer and opened access to that shared folder to all other computers. The result was that only one computer could listen to the library at a time. I would assume the same thing would be true if using a NAS due to the file locking iTunes imposes. Anybody want to take a ride to the Apple Store and see if one of their reps have done it??

I want to use my iTunes library with multiple Windows computers

I want to put my entire iTunes library on a server and then allow any of the 4 - windows laptops, 1 - windows desktop, various iPods, an iPad 1, and a Samsung Tablet to gain access to use it. 3 of the laptops are Windows 8, the desktop and one laptop is Windows 7. I don't mind having multiple iTunes accounts set up. I just want to make sure that when a song is purchased or uploaded from a CD or whatever that it all goes into this central location so that everyone has access to it. How do I make that happen?

1. Yes you can do that.
2. But you shouldn't.
3. There's no need to anyway.
This thread
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3062728?tstart=0
Will tell you more on how, and why not, and why what you want to do is making more for for exactly zero extra capability.
Or, put another way, maybe iPhoto is not the app for you.

Using single iTunes library in multiple locations

I am about to hook my external with my iTunes library to my AirPort Express for my laptop to access the library, the question I have is what is the easiest way to go about this and if I don't have my AirPort with me how can I plug in the external to have access to my library? I hope this can be done right now I have my MacBook Pro sitting on my desk and I would like to roam around the house, but when I get deployed I won't have my AirPort so I want to just be able to plug in and go. Thanks for any assistance that can be provided.

Turn off the preference that has itunes automatically organize music for you. I have my music on two internal drives.
Note that by having it on an external you will also have to connect the external before you start itunes or else you will get a lot of ! from itunes saying it cannot find the files. Alternatively, if you don't mind operating this way, you can create a separate library for movies and keep it all on the external drive. Hold down the option key at startup to select the library you wish to use.

How to share itunes library with multiple users, and keep organised

Hi,
I'm using iTunes (v12) on Windows 7 and am trying to set myself up so that multiple users on this PC are sharing the same library. I've followed the guidance mentioned on a couple of other threads, and put the library in the Users\Public\Music location, and on each user account have pointed iTunes to this location. This has worked OK, as both users can see all the music.
However, problems arise when User A deletes a couple of files (duplicates for example) - User B logs in, and the song is still listed in the library, but with an alert stating the original file cannot be located. They then have to go through the library and also delete these entries. Equally, if User B adds some music files (as opposed to iTunes downloads), they are not visible to User A until they "Add file to library..."
Are there any further steps that I can take to keep both users views of the library identical, without manual intervention by the second user whenever the first makes a change?
Cheers,
Matt

The way you've set it up each user has a distinct library, but is accessing a common set of media files and folders. To accomplish what you want, you need to have a complete iTunes library (database + media) in a common location - typically this would be C:\Users\Public\Music\iTunes. See turingtest2's notes on Make a split library portable for the steps that may be needed to bring your library into a suitable structure. Based on your description, you'll need to select one user's library (C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl) to act as the shared "master" and move this to the Public folders.
Then, for each user, hold down SHIFT while starting iTunes - when you get this prompt:
click on Choose Library..., navigate to C:\Users\Public\Music\iTunes, select the iTunes Library.itl file you'll find there, and click Open (you'll only need to do this once for each user account).
Note, though, that iTunes is inherently a single-user application - any attempts to run iTunes at the same time will cause errors (and, in the worst case, possible corruption). For this reason, its a good idea to disable fast user switching in Windows so that only one user can be logged in, and running iTunes, at the same time.

Sharing (synchronizing) a single iTunes library over multiple computers

Okay, i've been looking all over for a simple answer to this problem for a while and haven't found a solution that doesn't involve paying for third-party software or a lot of seemingly unnecessary hassle. Here's my situation:
I have an older 12" PowerBook G4 and a brand new MacBook Pro. I also have a Time Capsule and a 30 gig iPod, but i'm not sure whether they will be helpful or not for my situation. When i got my MacBook Pro, i let Leopard transfer all my info, so now both computers have the same login information, music library, iPhoto library, etc... But not for long, naturally. I want to use my MBP at home primarily and will spend most of my time on it, but i will also frequently be out and will be taking my PowerBook along as it is both more portable and less of a concern if something happens to it. What i want to do is to set things up so that my iTunes library (including playlists, ratings, and other metadata) is kept synchronized across both computers (perhaps via the Time Capsule?) and that any changes made on either mac will at least eventually be mirrored on the other without causing duplicates or loss of any files. I don't need to keep separate versions or sizes of iTunes libraries either; the hard drives are each large enough to hold the entire thing.
On a side note, the iPod only needs to be able to sync from the MBP, i think, though it would be nice to have the option to sync from either. Sadly, it’s not large enough to hold the whole library, so i can’t use that to go back and forth or anything.
Also, i wouldn’t mind if the library were only stored on the TC and the PB, since the MBP should be able to access the TC 99% of the time, but in that case the PB would have to compare its own library and metadata to that of the TC, while i’m not sure how the MBP would store its iTunes database on the TC and not its own drive. I imagine that, with the current implementation of iTunes at least, it would have to be all on the MBP and the PB, with the TC version merely a backup. In most cases, i should be able to reach both my TC and my MBP from the road over the internet, but i still want to have the library on the PB hard drive for when i don’t have a connection.
I wouldn’t mind a “master, slave” type setup either, with the MBP being the master, since with the only working optical drive and a faster connection, it will be doing most of my importing- but it’s important that the playlists and everything are the same and it sure would be nice if i didn’t have to remember not to make any changes from the PB. I don't plan on buying any music from the iTunes store and my entire library is DRM free, so that won't be a problem. Both systems are running the latest versions of all software and operating system (though i hear this may change with Snow Leopard...?)
And while we’re at it, doing the same or similar to my iPhoto, iCal, Addressbook, Documents, etc. would be nice. Perhaps something can be done with the entire Home folder that would accomplish all of this? I’m not sure if the fact that one is Intel and the other is PowerPC would put a hitch in that method though. There are some settings, such as the totally different trackpads, etc. that will not be the same, plus i’ll be using a lot of programs solely on the MBP, which is why cloning the drive is not an option.
I’d like to find a way to set this up using just Automator and maybe some Applescripts if possible, but if i do have to bend and go third-party, it would need to be solid.
I know my situation is unique (I’ve found a lot of people trying to synchronize libraries, say, with a spouse, etc. WITHOUT syncing the metadata- or people wanting different libraries on different computers to feed into the same pool, but those are very different cases, obviously) but i’m sure there are plenty of people out there with several different macs of their own who could benefit from this solution. Any help you can give towards this would be appreciated. Thanks!

I have a similar problem. Wish I had an answer but am struggling with a similar problem. My situation is this: I have a Imac and a Macbook Pro. I have the same 4 accounts on both and I sync them through '.mac'. It works fairly well. My goal is to get one Itunes library accessible from the 2 computers and the 4 accounts per computer. I am also using Time Capsule/Machine as well. I currently keep the Itunes library on an external drive (not TCapsule). So, my problem is this:
1. How to update from multiple accounts accross the two machines?
2. How to access Itunes store from all of the accounts on machine 2?
I am now trying to set up individual Itunes libraries for each account on machine 1 and share to machine 2.
In any case, this is not pretty and needs to be reachitected to support a multiple user environmet.

Managing sole iTunes library with multiple machines on-the-go with database&media on external drive?

Hi fellows. Trying to organize & revamp my iTunes library & wish to achieve a configuration but lack the expertise to achieve it. My objectives are:
Objectives
+1. for my multimedia content to be stored/accessed from an external hard disk+
+2. to keep the entire iTunes multimedia & all necessary operating files as self-contained as possible,+
+3. Allow multiple machines to manage import of new content into library, i.e. download new episodes of podcasts, rip new music & movies into the library, sync-ing of iPod even when said machine is nowhere near my external hard disk (this is the tricky one)+
_Justification for my objectives_
For objective #3, it's not that I'm trying to be funny. My use case is I've 1 laptop (main machine & always at home) & 1 netbook (brought to school daily). Most of my iTunes usage will be via the stay-at-home laptop; but I may wish to add/manage new content onto my iTunes library/iPod while I'm outside (hence, decoupled from my external hard disk at home).
I'm not trying to be funny for objective #1 either. I wish to have a streamlined process of retaining & re-instating my iTunes library meta-data across system re-format, i.e. where the iTunes library db files' location may be changed (most obvious being the new "My Music" folder path in Win7 from WinXP)
_What I'm well aware of_
I understand that storing/re-locating multimedia on external hard disk is no-kick to iTunes veteran. I also understand that after a new installation of iTunes, I can move the fresh copy of "iTunes_library.itl" & "iTunes_library.xml" files to my external volume & point iTunes to their new address from the 2nd launch onwards. I also understand any new machines I introduce into my environment can be directed to that exact copy of iTunes library database files when I install iTunes & pressing "Shift" key upon their launch. Lastly, I also understand that I will have no access to my multimedia files (for playback) while I'm outside, but I can still add new content, & download new podcasts & remove old content from my library/iPod
_The question_
However, what I have difficulty achieving, is launching iTunes on my on-the-go machine(s), without a local copy of the iTunes library database files. I doubt iTunes will be able to launch at all, & if I create a new library (just to launch iTunes), it will not possess content from my main media collection & likely to wipe out my iPod.
_My novice attempt & its inadequacies_
My 1st instinct, is to have the iTunes library database files stored in the cloud. More specifically, I can store them files in my DropBox folder/account, & have every machine update to a single latest version of iTunes library database files upon Internet connection. However, this method depends on:
+* the DropBox application to exist forever,+
+* assumed the installation path of DropBox (or any applications for that matter) to persist/remain unchanged across future versions of operating systems,+
+* Will corrupt any un-sync-ed version of my iTunes library database files when I launched iTunes without 1st updating the local cached copy of them database files (suppose I manage my iPod playlists via iTunes on a plane)+
_Open for recommendations_
So here I'm, all ears to any fine recommendations you iTunes veterans have to offer. Thanx in advance.

In case anyone is interested in these sorta thing:
UPDATE #4: Unfortunately, if you discover you tagged something wrong after importing the songs, even when you correct the tags, iTunes will not re-organize the folder hierarchy, as long as “Keep iTunes Music folder organized“ is UNchecked, even if the songs were imported via the “Automatically add to iTunes folder” channel.
Example: I imported a folder of Andy Lau songs into my library, unbeknownst to me, some of the songs had their “Artist” tagged as “Andy Lau“, while some had theirs tagged as “Liu De Hua“. Naturally, the 1st time round I imported them, 2 separate folders were instantiated as to iTunes, those were names of 2 distinct artists (this is expected, & acceptable behaviour). The downside is, even if I re-tagged all those songs with “Andy Lau” as the artist, iTunes will no longer re-organize & consolidate all them songs into a single “Andy Lau” artist folder (because I’d “Keep iTunes Music folder organized” UNchecked remember?)
Well, you may suggest that I check that option when managing my future library & uncheck it right before launching/using my main, current library. The thing is, iTunes preferences persist across libraries, & one day I will forget to uncheck that option, launch my main library & lose all my current music folder structure to iTunes’ re-organization (which I don;t want, as of yet). Which brings me to another update:
UPDATE #5: My future iTunes library has “I:/iTunes_Media” as iTunes’s “Home” folder. This setting persists even when I switch back to my main, current library. Which means, if I’d my external volume connected while launching/using my main, current library, all new content will end up in that folder on the external volume! Which messes up the whole scheme of things! Arghz!
UPDATE #6: Here’re some updates with regards to ID3 tags:
* the “Album Artist” in Windows (7) Explorer = the “Album Artist” field in iTunes 9
* Modifying a ID3 tag field using Windows (7) Explorer will update BOTH the v1 & v2.3 version of the ID3 tags on the song (if the song has both versions of tags embedded & if the field exists in both tag versions). If you update the tags via iTunes, only the v2.3 tags get updated. This is surprising.
* the “Contributing Artist” field in Windows (7) Explorer = the “Artist” field in iTunes 9 & the “Artist” field in ID3v1 tags (changes in tany of the 3 fields will affect the other 2 respectively)
o However, iTunes Media folder organization will only adhere to the value saved in the “Album Artist” field [if you change the value of "Contributing Artist" in Windows (7) Explorer, the "Artist" field in iTunes or the "Artist" field in a song's ID3v1 tags, no folder re-organization will occur]
UPDATE #7: Some updates with regards to workflow:
Decided to retain all non-music content within a sub-folder named “non-music” beneath the main album folder (& take strict precautions to import songs only). The exception is “m3u” playlist files. Have read elsewhere if you import a folder of songs & there’s an “m3u” playlist inside, your library may have duplicates and/or the tags of those songs you just imported could be screwed, etc.

Any way to span a single iTunes Library over multiple hard drives?

I have a hard drive that is almost full and the only thing on it is my iTunes library. It is not feasible for me to get a larger hard drive as this one is already a 1TB hard drive. Now, I have seen I can create multiple libraries, with each library on a different hard drive if I wish. However, not only is most of the media in the library podcasts, using multiple libraries for a single iPod Touch would be a pain.
So, is there a way for the iTunes Library to span over more than one hard drive, but yet be a single library? It would make it easier to sync my iPod Touch.
Thanks in advance!

I'm assuming that I would have to "import" my old drive into the library
You don't import anything since your library is the same as it was. All those items are still in iTunes in the same location. The ONLY thing different is iTunes prefs -> Advanced.
Or am I wrong and it will have my previous media folder still in the library, and anything new would be put in the new media folder?
Yes & yes. Everything in iTunes will still be in iTunes, stay in the same location it is now and iTunes will use it from there.
Anything new added to iTunes will go to the location you set in iTunes prefs -> Advanced.

Using a single iTunes library with multiple logins.

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