Where is the actual iTunes media located on my Mac?

I never have enough storage on my mac air - this is ok as i have a hard drive
My question is, where is the true itunes media, such as films and music located? is it in the itunes app, or is itunes just like a media player and the actual files (which take up the storage) are in the itunes media folder? or is there a copy in tunes and in the media folder as I always have double the amount of videos on my ma than i have initunes which i dont understand as i wiped my mac and only put films into itunes
many thanks, Rhys

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
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847

Similar Messages

Where are the actual Aperture files located? Only in the application? I am transitioning to Lightroom and would like to only move some of the files. Advice appreciated. Also anyone know how to transfer in with edits?

Where are the actual Aperture files located? Only in the application? I am transitioning to Lightroom and would like to only move some of the files. Advice appreciated. Also anyone know how to transfer in with edits? Using iMac, OS X, most recent Aperture and Lightroom 5.7 with plugin for Aperture.

Define "the Aperture files".
Read this concise guide.
The files you imported into an Aperture Library can be exported (at any time, and repeatedly) using the command "File ▹ Export ▹ Originals". Your Originals are never altered. What went in is what comes out.
Adjustments and changes to the metadata that you made since creating an Image in Aperture by importing a file are saved to a text file. This file is combined, on-the-fly, with the Original to create the Image that you see in Aperture. There is no file saved to disk that is the full-size Image. Thumbnails are saved, and Previews are saved. These are JPG files, almost always smaller than the Original. They are not substitutes for the Image for the use you have.
When you need a file of an Image to use in another program, you export the Image from Aperture. "Export" means "Make me a file of this Image according to these file specs I'm providing". The way to get files of your adjusted Images is simple: create them by exporting. Specify "Original size", and use a loss-less image-file format (e.g. TIFF 16-bit) if you want to retain as much visual information as possible.
Search the Web for information about transitioning from Aperture to Lightroom. Note that I say "transitioning". You cannot move a database from one format to another without significant changes, and likely some loss of information. Adobe provides a tool and some instructions. I strongly recommend working out the process step-by-step, and then proceeding with first a few Images, then a bushel-ful, and stopping to use the first few, the the bushel-ful, before committing your entire collection to the process.
As always, never use any computer file without having a back-up.
We have seen mixed reports here of the success of the LR tool that creates a LR database from your Aperture database.
If you want to carefully define the process, and test and refine it, use the excellent process-development, analysis, and execution program inShort.
Sadly, there is not and can never be a good, thorough re-positioning of the digital assets in your Aperture Library to become digital assets in a LR database. Just as a metaphor for any user contemplating transitioning to another digital asset manager: that would be like digging up a house in one country, planting it in a hole in another country, and expecting to be able to use the toilet and the sinks, turn on the lights, cook dinner, and sleep soundly.
HTH,
Kirby.

How can I copy mp3 files which are already located by itunes to the actual itunes folder?

Dear all,
I would like to transfer my whole itunes library to a new computer. I know that this can be done by copying the whole itunes folder on the old computer (if you want to keep all the data of the itunes files). However, I have a little problem. Since I had a long period in which I did not download music from itunes or I got music from others, most files are not in the itunes library folder. I kept them in many different folders all over my hard disk, because it is a quite big collection from the past decade orso. In that time, I just dragged the files to itunes, so itunes can now locate them. They are not in the actual itunes library folder though. Is there a possible way to let itunes locate the files (it already has the locations) and put/copy them in the itunes library folder?
Thanks in advance!!

With these options selected in Edit > Preferences > Advanced:
select File > Library > Organize Library... When you get this prompt:
check the Consolidate files box and - if not greyed out - the Reorganize files ... box, and click OK. iTunes will then copy any media files that are not stored in the iTunes Media folder structure into it, so that you can then copy the complete iTunes folder to your new computer.

I am trying to move my iphoto and itunes to an external hard drive to free up space on my macbook...i have followed the steps to the change itunes media folder location (chosen external hard drive) but my new folder is greyed out so cant continue ?help?

I need to free up space on my macbook pro as hard drive is full!! So with 20 000 photos/video clips and itunes I would like to move this to a external hard drive!
I have followed steps on apple support but when i get to the Change itunes media folder location and chosen external hard drive it will not let me access the new folder option ?? help?

errrrrrrm!
Yes external drive shows up in finder on desk top and can change to in the media folder location thing!
My external hard drive is a WD Elements. I have no idea about permissions to the external? Do i Have to format external hard drive to a mac?
I am trying to follow the steps on the apple support page to transfer files (consolidate library etc) just cant get further down steps as the new folder option is greyed out!
Thanks for you help

I have a back up of the folder 'iTunes Media' on a Nas (LaCie CloudBox). I do a weekly update. Everything is cool.Now I would love to keep the folder on the Nas and delete the one on my internal HD. What kind of trouble i may run into?

I have a back up of the folder 'iTunes Media' on a Nas (LaCie CloudBox).
I do a weekly update.
Everything is cool.
Now I would love to keep the iTunes Mediafolder on the Nas and delete the one on my internal HD.
What kind of trouble I may run into?
Where are the hidden catches?
What can go wrong, and how can i undo any mistake?
I also have an iTunes Match acccount.
Cheers
rudy

HI
Read this user tip Make and keep a backup of your iTunes library, and only stream from the cloud.
Problems? No hidden catches. Whilst streaming using match, you will need a wifi connection. You main worry is that if your NAS drives fails, you need to redownload your music from match but this could take time depending on how large your collection is. Personally I keep an additional backup of all my music as a matter of course.
Jim

The new iTunes 12 does not have a rent tab. I've downloaded two movies which appear in the Movies folder on my Windows Explorer but not in the actual iTunes programme itself. Completely frustrating!

The new iTunes 12 does not have a rent tab. I've downloaded two movies which appear in the Movies folder on my Windows Explorer but not in the actual iTunes programme itself. Completely frustrating! Where can I find these two movies to watch? It asked me once it was downloaded if I wanted to watch it but I wasn't ready to and now can't find where to play these again.

When iTunes/iPod sync process failed due to timeout, the iPod, has only the initilaised filesytem structure at the start of the Sync.
The timeout failure could be due to
Bad hardisk - do the iPod disk diagnostic, refer to this excellent post by tt2
Slow USB port or resource - Dont use any USB hub, disconnect all other USB devices while syncing
Timeout due to Antivirus or other plugins - disconnect from Internet and stop the Antivirus or monitoribng software if you are syncing.
Preferably stop doing other things while syncing this ancient device, which the latest iTunes designer, think will soon be extinct.
Have a nice day!

HT1449 Where is my original iTunes Media folder?

I am trying to free up space on my internal HD, so followed the instructions in this article: iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
I believe I have successfully moved the music and media files to my external hard drive and iTunes recognizes their new location. Step 14 says "
After the folder has been copied, locate your original iTunes Media folder, and drag it to the Trash." The default iTunes media folder location is /Users/~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music. Is the "iTunes Music" folder the correct folder to drag to the trash (and then empty trash) to free up space on my internal drive?

Since no one responded to my post, I experimented with deleting individual albums from the iTunes Music folder and no problems were created. I then proceeded to delete (trash/empty trash) the whole folder. However this did not appear to free up any space on my internal drive. The next day my mac hung on start up no matter what I tried. It turns out that the internal drive was bad. I now have a new larger hard drive, so I can move my iTunes Music folder back to the default location.

In windows 7 where is the iPad backup file located?

In windows 7 where is the iPad backup file located?

iTunes places the backup files in the following places:
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Windows Vista: \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

HT4972 Where is the actual iOS 5 update?

Where is the actual IOS 5 update?

THank you HunnyBun88; I must have missed something in that article. Thank you for answering me.
Johnathan Burger's comment helped me the most. The IPad 'User Guide' spelled-out the
ANswer: I hooked the iPad to my Mac computer, called up ITunes, found The Update tab,
And ran Update (on the Mac) , but iTunes was already current. Right away a button came
UP that said Update your IPAD. I ran that, and the IOS5.1.1 download began (from the
mac to the iPad). About an hour later the iPad was at IOS 5.1.1.
Again, thank you all for helping me, and I look forward to returning the favor.
Rich Sullivan

Where is the file i/o located (File Dialog Function no Longer Support Datalog Files)

Where is the file i/o located ?
This is my previous post
File Dialog Function no Longer Support Datalog Files

Please stick to your original post.
The one where the question was already answered. Twice.

When I locate my iPad it sends me my email but the time it says in the email is like a 3 hour difference from the actual time I locate what do I do to have the proper time there

When I locate my iPad it sends me my email but the time it says in the email is like a 3 hour difference from the actual time I locate what do I do to have the proper time there
My time is correct but email time of location is wrong

Welcome to the Apple community TMOZINGO.
If you are unable to remember your password, security questions, don’t have access to your rescue address or are unable to reset your password for whatever reason, your only option is to contact AppleCare(or Apple ID Support), upon speaking to an operator you should explain that your problem is related to your Apple ID, this way you will not be charged for assistance, even if you don’t have an AppleCare plan.
The operator will take you through some steps you may have already tried, however they need to be sure they have exhausted all usual approaches before trying to reset your account, so you should try to be helpful and show patience with the procedure.
The operator will need to verify they are speaking to the account holder and may ask you some questions that only the account holder could know, and you will need to answer them if the process is to proceed.
Once the operator has verified your identity they will send a message through to your device which contains an alpha numeric code, which you will need to read back to them.
Once this has been completed they will send an email to your iCloud email address after a period of 24 hours, so you should check that mail is enabled in your devices iCloud settings.
Upon receipt of the email, use the reset link provided to reset your password, after which you should be able to make the adjustments to iCloud that you wish to do.

Where is the actual iPhoto photos data stored?

I'm trying to find the data files for iPhoto in OS X Lion, data used to be in the user Library, but I can't find that either. Where is the actual iPhoto photos data stored?

1. Set the preferences to edit in another program, Photoshop. (Advanced Tab)
2. Drag the image to the email message (the problem you describe should be fixed in 10.8.3)
3. Select all the images in the event or album and show the Info pane.
4. You have to export them first in order to compress, so either drag them out of iPhoto into the destination or use the Export command.
5. Clunky? Works pretty great for me.
6. I can access all of my photos right there in iPhoto. I can access other people's photos there, too.
If you don't want iPhoto to organize the files, tell it not to. Prefs, Advanced, Copy Items into the iPhoto Library.
If you didn't want someone to comment on this,
Seriously? It is rediculous that we needed a forum to find our own files.
Then why did you post it?
Are you an Apple OS designer and are offended or something? Why are you even looking at this post if it's not an issue for you?
Look up the thread a ways.

HT1338 My iTunes won't let me connect my iPhone because it says I need an updated iTunes, but when I try to download the new iTunes, it says that my Mac software (10.5.8) is too old. However, there are no software updates available. What can I do?

My iTunes won't let me connect my iPhone because it says I need an updated iTunes, but when I try to download the new iTunes, it says that my Mac software (10.5.8) is too old. However, there are no software updates available. What can I do?

It depends on what iPhone you have.
If it's an iPhone 4S or earlier, click here.
If it's an iPhone 5, you need to buy a Mac OS X 10.6 DVD, and that requires an Intel Mac with at least 1GB RAM.
(73384)

" You cannot use the application "iTunes" with this version of MAC OS X."

I am getting the response " You cannot use the application "iTunes" with this version of MAC OS X." How do i get Itunes on my Mac. I tried to download the newest version but it won't let me do that either.

What operating system version are you using on your Macbook? If you are still using Tiger 10.4 the new iTunes requires Leopard (10.5) or higher.

HT4867 Now that I've switched to ICloud where are the mailboxes that were stored on my Mac?

Now that I've switched to ICloud where are the mailboxes that were stored on my Mac?

On your mac, mailboxes are listed under one of several categories. Some are "on my mac" and others are in "icloud". Those emails in mailboxes "on my mac" are strictly local, they do not connect with iCloud. As Julian points out, all mailboxes on your mac are still there. They will not be on your other devices.

Where is the actual iTunes media located on my Mac?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for