Using one itunes library on two computers

I want to have a master itunes library on my home computer using an external hard drive and then when I go to work, use the same library, adding new music, artwork, organizing, etc. at work and see those changes on my computer at home. I only want to sync my ipod at home...just want to see everything merge together at home, regularly.

Here you go.
http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/ultranewb--how-to-move-your-itunes-library -to-an-external-drive-238296.php

Similar Messages

  • Using One iTunes Library on multiple computers.

    Hey guys,
    I've currently got my iTunes library saved on a Time Capsule and use it with my mac mini.
    I want to be able to use the same library on my macbook pro. have set up iTunes on both computers so that it looks for the library on the Time Capsule so at the moment both machines can play all the media.
    However if i buy track using the mini and add it to iTunes it saves it in the right place and plays fine but how can i update the library on the macbook as so it can see the new songs that have been added?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated
    Kind regards

    Another detail with this setup is that if you've got an iPod or iPhone that you want to load music to, you'll need to connect it to the computer that is the 'host' offering the music library for share. If you use the 'client' computer, then it won't let you install your mp3s to your iPod from the 'shared' library on the other computer.
    In my setup, which is similar to what you're describing, it looks like iTunes lets me connect my iPhone to either computer and install mp3s.
    Seth

  • Using one Itunes database across two macs

    Using one itunes database across two macs
    I currently run a 2010 MBP (500gb hd) at home and on the road and a 2013 Imac (1Tb hd) at work. I have a large lossless itunes library of about 300gb and would like to increase the library further.
    My MBP started running slowly and I realised that my iTunes library was choking the whole computer. I started to explore ways to store my library on a remote disk and bought a G drive 1Tb portable drive.
    My efforts to carry out the transfer were only partially successful with most of my library transferring but a significant number of tracks displaying the ! sign which means they couldn't be located.
    I have also got an Imac at work and what I had hoped to achieve was to have my iTunes database on the 1tb portable drive and use the portable disk on both my MBP and iMac.
    Our technical support company are dubious about whether this will work because the local specific itunes library data on each machine will differ and each machine will not operate correctly with the underlying data on the portable drive.
    I am not very technical and I am finding it difficult to follow the various posts on this board and elsewhere. Many seem to comment on splitting their library across multiple disks but I cant really seem to get to the bottom of storing my library on one disk and using it across multiple computers.
    Is what I am trying to achieve practical?
    If it is, can someone point me to an article/post please? Or alternatively could someone explain how I might achieve my goal.
    Thanks in a advance for your help.

    Here you go.
    http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/ultranewb--how-to-move-your-itunes-library -to-an-external-drive-238296.php

  • 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.

  • Using ONE iTunes library on an external HDD with TWO Separate Macs

    I have been battling for some time to run one iTunes library on my 160GB Passport between both my 12" iBook G4 and my 15" Macbook Pro.
    While I understand the concept of using the SHIFT-key when booting iTunes to Choose the Library it does not appear to work the way I imagine it should.
    The Library is managed on the Macbook Pro and merely used on the iBook.
    Updates done on the Macbook Pro do not carry across without doing a full consolidation with the Library.
    Please Help.

    *While I understand the concept of using the SHIFT-key when booting iTunes to Choose the Library it does not appear to work the way I imagine it should.*
    On a Mac you hold down the Option key:
    How to open an alternate iTunes Library file
    iLounge - Managing your iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive

  • Can I have same Itunes library in two computers?

    I would like to have the same library in two computers.
    If I use home share to import the whole library, Does that mean the library will disappear from the "old" computer? or
    Will I be able to keep the same library in both computers?
    What will happens when I add music to one of the libraries? Will they update? or Do I have to do it manually? Can playlist be imported from home share too? and can I have same playlists in the two computers?
    Thanks!

    Again without firsthand experience my understanding is iTunes copies (not moves) just the media from the Home Shared drive and adds it to your other library as a new item.  It will not affect the original library.
    As for syncing idevices, they are intended to sync with just the original library and only one library at a time.  Apple deliberately designed it this way, and not so you could plug them into a new computer and transfer the contents from the device to the computer (see exception below).  More information:
    Some of the information below has subsequently appeared in a document by turingtest2: Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991
    Your i-device was not designed for unique storage of your media. It is not a backup device and media transfer was planned with you maintaining a master copy of your media on a computer which is itself properly backed up against loss. Syncing is one way, computer to device, updating the device content to the content on the computer, not updating or restoring content on a computer. The exception is iTunes Store purchased content.
    iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848 - only purchases from iTunes Store
    For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will have to use third party commercial software. Examples (check the web for others; this is not an exhaustive listing, nor do I have any idea if they are any good):
    - Senuti - http://www.fadingred.com/senuti/
    - Phoneview - http://www.ecamm.com/mac/phoneview/
    - MusicRescue - http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/products/musicrescue/
    - Sharepod (free) - http://download.cnet.com/SharePod/3000-2141_4-10794489.html?tag=mncol;2 - Windows
    - Snowfox/iMedia - http://www.mac-videoconverter.com/imedia-transfer-mac.html - Mac & PC
    - iexplorer (free) - http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/ - Mac&PC
    - Yamipod (free) - http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/downloads/ - PC, Linux, Mac [Still updated for use on newer devices? No edits to site since 2010.]
    - 2010 Post by Zevoneer: iPod media recovery options - https://discussions.apple.com/message/11624224 - this is an older post and many of the links are also for old posts, so bear this in mind when reading them.
    Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141 - dates from 2008 and some outdated information now.
    Copying Content from your iPod to your Computer - The Definitive Guide - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/ - Information about use in disk mode pertains only to older model iPods.
    Get Your Music Off of Your iPod - http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Get_Your_Music_Off_of_Your_iPod - I am not sure but this may only work with some models and not newer Touch, iPhone, or iPad.
    Additional information here https://discussions.apple.com/message/18324797

  • How to share one iTunes library with multiple computers AND Apple TV? Help?

    It seems like my dilemma may not be easily solved. Hopefully it isn't as complicated as I think it will be. Here's the situation:
    My wife hates that, in order to see or do anything with the images she takes, I need to have iPhoto open on my computer (Mac Pro), and she then has to connect to it over sharing.
    By the same token, I don't like that she buys iTunes content on her MacBook, which is sometimes a duplicate of content I already have. Now that the App Store is out, that is going to start getting really expensive.
    So instead, I want us to be able to:
    1) Have ONE iTunes library on the network, and ONE iPhoto library. Both of these would be accessible to any computer on the network. When you launch iTunes, you would get all the media that is in that library.
    2) Both be able to access iTunes at the same time to listen to / watch content.
    3) Both be able to purchase iTunes content, and when it it purchased, it updates that single library. If I buy a song, the next time my wife fires up iTunes, that song is there for her to listen to.
    4) Have our two Apple TV units be able to play content from this library.
    So, I know that we need something on the network. I have a Drobo with DroboShare, so that is one option. I also have a spare Mac Pro laying around, along with a copy of OS X Leopard Server.
    I just don't know what route we should take with this. All I want is for us to share a library, to be able to both use that library, for us to be able to sync content from that library to our portable devices, and for our Apple TVs to also see that library.
    Possible?!

    I'm sort of in the same boat. We've got an iMac with separate User Accounts set up and are currently sharing the same iTunes and iPhoto libraries along with streaming them to our Apple TV.
    Right now I'm the only one with an iPod, however she'll be getting one in a couple of weeks.
    We also just picked up a MacBook yesterday and I'd like to be able to sync certain libraries like iTunes and iPhoto so that no content gets duplicated on either the iMac or MacBook and so that we both have access to the current libraries for each program on our iPods and AppleTV.
    I have an external hard drive that I back up the iMac on and I assume I could manually keep things current with that but there's got to be an easier way...that's why these are Macs right?
    Bill

  • Sharing Music: using one iTunes account for two users on one MacBook Air

    I'm trying to set up my parents on their new MacBook Air and I have set up an account for each of them. To keep their music collection simple & compact I want them both to use one iTunes account on the one machine. Can two separate users work off the same iTunes account on the one machine?
    I have tried the Home Sharing function but this seems to be for separate machines rather than accounts.
    I have also tried putting the music into a shared folder but this hasn't worked properly for me as the secondary account is able to purchase (but not download) the music correctly from iTunes.
    Any help appreciated. Thank you.

    I'm trying to set up my parents on their new MacBook Air and I have set up an account for each of them. To keep their music collection simple & compact I want them both to use one iTunes account on the one machine. Can two separate users work off the same iTunes account on the one machine?
    I have tried the Home Sharing function but this seems to be for separate machines rather than accounts.
    I have also tried putting the music into a shared folder but this hasn't worked properly for me as the secondary account is able to purchase (but not download) the music correctly from iTunes.
    Any help appreciated. Thank you.

  • Sharing ONE iTunes Library on TWO Macs (Mac and MacBook) Using Airport Extr

    I did put this thread in the Airport Extreme forum, but I have moved it here on advice.
    I realise that this has probably been answered a million times on this forum, so I apologize in advance. I recently bought an Airport Extreme and connected to my wireless home network, my internet speeds have increased (don't ask me why because I don't know) and I am really happy with the results, I have just one issue which I am hoping to resolve.
    I have a iMac in my study, and a MacBook which I use all around the house. I have an external hard drive connected to the AEBS which has all of my files on, including my iTunes music. The problem is, I download music on both computers, and if I download a track or a movie onto the itunes library of one, it doesn't appear on the other computer, even though both iTunes apps are pointing to the same folder on the external hard drive.
    The question I have is, how do I make both itunes libraries share the same library, so if I add a song on my mac it will automatically appear on my macbook when i use it next.
    Both macs are fully up to date, and running Leopard
    Many Thanks
    JC

    This is really an iTunes question. How do you configure a remote library which updates properly for all clients?
    I suggest that you ask in the iTunes discussion area.

  • Sharing a single itunes library between two computers - must be possible!

    Hi there,
    This is probably a commonly asked question, but I cannot find a step by step guide to doing it (if indeed it is possible).
    I have got a copy of itunes running on my media computer/server in my living room. What I want is to connect my laptop over the network and share this library - the effect being that it is like I am using the original computer.
    In essence I want to be able to add muscic, edit tracks, update my ipod from either computer and the changes be made in respect of both computers. I suspect that this is done by making sure that the laptop uses the same database information as that created by my main computer but am not really sure where to start.
    Could anyone perhaps give me a step by step guide as to how to do this - a single database that can be used by two computers each running itunes. One thing I am pretty sure is not possible is to for two people to be using itunes at the same time, so I would ahve to avoid this.
    Thanks very much.

    Ah. Sorry about that, I guess I skimmed over the add music part. Correct, in that the home sharing wouldn't allow you to add music to the media server library. The only thing that I can think of that would give you what you want is to use a shared folder on the network and then map both of the iTunes to that folder. At least that way music would go into the same folder. The only question is about the library on the other computer, if it would get updated when you use the other to add music.

  • Synchronize iTunes Library Across Two Computers

    I have separate iTunes music libraries on my work and home computers. I would like to keep them synchronized, such that if I add a song, or change the rating/playcount/etc on one computer it is reflected on the other.
    I currently use an external HD and a 3rd party sync program (Synchronize X Pro) to keep my work files synchronized between the two computers. I'm wondering if I just include the music folder in the synchronization if that will work.
    Many thanks.

    I have been synchronizing iTunes between two computers by duplicating the following three files/folders from the "source" computer over to the "target" computer:
    iTunes Library (file)
    iTunes Music Library.xml (file)
    iTunes Music (folder)
    However, you lastly need to check (with a text editor) the
    iTunes Music Library.xml
    file because about 5 or 10 lines into it, it has the following line (it's all on one line):
    <key>Music Folder</key><string>file://localhost/Users/Username/Music/iTunes/iTunes%20Music/</string>
    If this string does not properly describe the location of the iTunes Music folder (the folder that holds all the music files), you must edit it so that it does. (If both computers store the iTunes stuff in the Apple default location, no changes will be needed.)
    With this exception, my manual "synchronization" has worked well and all tags, ratings, playlists, counts etc. have been preserved.
    imac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) (also imac G3 10.2.8; and G4 Powerbook 10.3.9)
    imac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   (also imac G3 10.2.8; and G4 Powerbook 10.3.9)

  • Can I have the same iTunes library on two computers?

    I have an iMac and a Macbook Pro with two different iTunes libraries. I want to have the same library on both computers with playlist and all, so that if I do anything on the iMac, the macbook will sync. Anybody who can tell me if this is possible and how to do it? I also have a timecapsule if that matters?

    Hello henrik100,
    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
    Home Sharing in iTunes is designed to let you easily share your iTunes media libraries between up to five computers in your household.
    For more information, take a look at:
    iTunes: Setting up Home Sharing on your computer
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4620
    Understanding Home Sharing
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3819
    Have a nice day,
    Mario

  • 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.

  • Use one iTunes Library for both my MacBook and Mac Mini

    Hi,
    I want to make a few changes in my configuration, but before something will go terribly wrong, I want to make sure I use the correct approach.
    Yesterday I got a and on an older Mac Mini Model (G4 - only 40GB hard disc). It runs Leopard. It does not have Wifi, but it is connected to my modem/router.
    I also have a MacBook. Currently I have my iTunes Library on an external HD (WD mypassport 320GB) that I hook up to my MacBook when playing music and syncing my iPhone and iPod.
    However; I want to use the Mac Mini as a 'Mediacenter' (Big term, because it cannot play HD movies (processor is too old; I mean I want to use it for iTunes and as a DVD player). I have another external HD (Lacie - 500 GB; bigger than the one first mentioned, but this one is not a mobile device). I want to hook this HD to the Mac Mini and put my iTunes Library on this HD so it can be approached through the Mac Mini. Subsequently I want to approach the same library on my Mac Mini on my Macbook…This to control and manage the iTunes library and to keep syncing my iPhone through my Macbook (this is easier to do, because the Macbook has a Keyboard….)
    Few questions;
    1: is this even possible?
    2: to transfer my library I will use this method http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751?viewlocale=en_US
    First copy the library from the WD HD to the Lacie HD; then choose the library on the Lacie in iTunes on the Mac Mini
    Then I will have my iTunes Library copied to the Lacie and connected to my Mac Mini.
    Then for the second and 'harder part'. The Sharing of one Library over two Macs.
    I think I can use the homesharing option. The above mentioned method transferred the whole current library and I can choose the option to automatically transfer new content from my MacBook to the Mini (correct?). But this leaves me with two libraries with the same content (one on the Mini (Lacie) and one on the Macbook (WD).
    Is it possible to use only one library (the one on the Mini) and approach and manage it on my Macbook and also syncing my iPhone through my Macbook? I understand that it will loose some speed as the data will be transferred through Wifi from the Mac Mini to the MacBook. But as I will not listen to the music on my MacBook, but only will use it to manage the library, I can handle this….

    I managed to transfer all music, movies and tv shows to the External HD (Lacie) and connected that one to the Mini. Then imported all files to the library on the mini. Quite easy!
    The second part I left out. It seems the home sharing option works fine for now. I can still 'manage'the library on the mini from my Macbook with the 'share screen' option.

  • One iTunes Store account, two computers, really need help!

    Ok, I have just one iTunes store account however i had 2 different computers i used to download the music. my home computer was originally the one i used but then when i moved, i lost internet so my boss let me use my work computer. however after about 5 years of collecting music on that computer my boss got sick and abruptly sold the business. sadly my music went with that computer. I need to find out what to do to get my purchased music downloaded to my laptop now that i have internet. it was all under the same account just downloaded to my work computer instead of home since homes didn't have internet at the time. what can i do?! I've lost all that music! i can see on my account where i purchased it, but i can't seem to get it on my laptop now! please help!!

    phubbardmts wrote:
    I've lost all that music!
    the following post by Zevoneer, though slightly off topic, says it all:
    Did you *back up* your purchases before you you reinstalled your system? If you erased your drive then the purchases will have been erased along with everything else. If you didn't make a back-up of your purchases to restore from (as you are advised to do) then I'm sorry to say that the policy on lost purchases is that you have to pay to download them again:
    "Once a Product is purchased and you receive the Product, it is your responsibility not to lose, destroy, or damage the Product, and Apple shall be without liability to you in the event of any loss, destruction, or damage." iTunes Store: Purchased content can be downloaded only once
    *You could try contacting the iTunes Music Store Customer Service and you might be able to persuade them to sanction a second free download*. There have been occasional reports in the iTunes forum of this happening, however just be aware that they are not under any obligation to do so. If you click on this link you'll be able to email your query: iTMS Customer Service
    If you have an iPod that still has the purchases on it the transfer of purchased content from the iPod to authorised computers was introduced with iTunes 7. You'll find details in this article: Copying iTunes Store purchases from your iPod or iPhone to a computer
    You might also want to check out these pages for future reference:
    How to back up your media in iTunes
    Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
    good luck !
    JGG

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