Move Itunes Music Library From One Mac To Another
- Move Itunes Music Library From One Mac To Another Mac
- Move Itunes Library To External Drive
- Move Itunes Library Windows 10
- Move Itunes Music Library From One Mac To Another Drive
Transferring your iTunes library from one computer to another is not an easy task, it may even seem confusing at first, but it’s achievable with the right knowledge. So, if you want to play your media on and sync your iOS devices on your new computer, then the following 5 methods to get your old iTunes library on your new computer would be helpful.
Jan 04, 2020 How to Move Your iTunes Library You can move your iTunes library to a different folder, computer, or drive. Here's how to do it, even in macOS Catalina, which ditches iTunes for the Music app. There are a few ways to transfer your iTunes library from one computer to another. When you get a new Mac, use Setup Assistant (or Migration Assistant, if you’re switching from Windows) to move files—including your iTunes files—from your old computer to the new one.
When you get a new computer or hard drive, you can move your iTunes library, enabling you to run iTunes on a new machine, and keep the links to these music files active. Before you begin. Make a new backup of your iTunes library, or update your existing backup before you move it.
Method 1: Using iMyFone TunesMate to Transfer iTunes Library from One Computer to Another
If you are migrating your media files to a new Mac or computer, you can use iMyFone TunesMate iPhone Transfer to transfer your entire iTunes library from one computer to another. TunesMate by definition is a simple iOS media transfer tool that is capable of transferring iTunes library from computer to iPhone, and vice versa.
With iMyFone TunesMate, your entire iTunes library can be moved to a new computer without any data loss nor the old computer’s iTunes library getting affected. You can join thousands of happy TunesMate users today, and start moving your precious files successfully.
Key Features:
- Freely 2-way transfer between iOS device and iTunes, or between iOS device and PC.
- Preview and selectively sync media files between iTunes/PC and iDevice.
- Enrich Music collection by transfer data from unlimited iDevices and unlimited iTunes libraries.
- Both free and purchased music, movies, and photos are supported to be transferred.
- Received lots of positive media reviews and is full compatible with iOS 11.
Steps to Transfer iTunes Library from One Computer to Another
Step 1: Install iMyFone TunesMate on your old computer. Connect your iPhone to your old PC/Mac, and launch TunesMate.
Step 2: Click on “Transfer iTunes Media to iDevice” from your Home interface.
Step 3: After which your entire iTunes library will be checked. Then, click on “Transfer” to continue.
Step 4: Once your iTunes library has been transferred to your iPhone, iPod or iPad, you can now install TunesMate on your new computer, plug in your iPhone, and launch the software.
Step 5: Click on “Transfer iDevice Media to iTunes” to sync the transferred iTunes library from iPhone to the iTunes on new PC.
Step 6: Hit “Start” to begin.
Now, you’ve successfully transferred iTunes library from one computer to another.
Method 2: Using External Hard Drive
Do you know that you can move your iTunes library to an external hard drive? An external hard drive, CD or DVD is a good and recommended to move iTunes library from one computer to another. Here is how it works on Mac and Windows PC:
Step 1: Locate iTunes Media folder on your old computer.
On Mac: Click on Finder > Home > Double click the Music folder.
On Windows: Click on User > Username > My Music > iTunes
Step 2: Drag the iTunes folder into your external hard drive, then connect the external hard drive to your new computer.
Step 3: Simply drag the iTunes folder to the music folder on your new computer.
Step 4: Launch iTunes on your new computer. You’ll be notified to select a library, click on “Choose Library” on the dialog box.
Step 5: Look for the library you just added and click on it.
Method 3: Using Home Sharing
Home Sharing is a good way to transfer iTunes library from one computer to another. You can use Home Sharing to import up to the maximum of five iTunes libraries on other computers on your home network. Here is how it works:
Step 1: Turn on Home Sharing by clicking on File > Home Sharing > Turn on Home Sharing. Type your Apple ID and Password, then click Turn on Home Sharing.
Step 2: From your new PC, choose a computer on your Home Sharing network where you want to import files from.
Step 3: Choose “items not in my library” from the iTunes windows.
Step 4: Select the items you would like to import and click “Import”.
Method 4: Using Migration Assistant (Mac Only)
Transfer your iTunes library from one computer to another using migration assistant. To Use migration Assistant on Mac computer, here is how it works:
Step 1: Connect both computers (old and new) to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
Step 2: Open migration assistant from the utility folder of your macOS application folder.
Step 3: Click “continue” and select the option for transfer (Time Machine Backup, or Startup disk).
Step 4: Click on “Continue”.
Method 5: Using iTunes Match
iTunes Match focuses on backing up every iTunes music on iCloud for easy access and use from any location or iDevice. It allows you to backup all your iTunes library and even songs imported from other sources to iCloud at the subscription fee of $25 per year.
How to subscribe to iTunes Match
Step 1: Launch iTunes on your Mac or PC. Go to the menu bar and click Store.
Step 2: Click iTunes Match under Music Quick Link at the right side of the windows.
Step 3: Click “Subscribe” button, and sign in by entering your Apple ID and Password.
Step 4: If you don’t have your billing information on your iTunes, you’ll be asked to validate your billing information and payment method.
Step 5: Check the box to agree to Terms and Conditions. iTunes will start scanning your library for matches, this may take few minutes, but you can pause it to continue later. At the end, you’ll see a download icon next to the items that are available for download.
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You can move your iTunes library to a different folder, computer, or drive. Here's how to do it, even in macOS Catalina, which ditches iTunes for the Music app.
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Moving your iTunes library sounds complicated, especially if you have a vast collection of music, TV shows, movies, and podcasts. But it's possible—if you follow the right steps.
Below we'll cover how to move your library to a NAS device or network drive as well as a PC. Since iTunes has been replaced in macOS Catalina, we'll also look at how to do it with Apple's new Music app.
Locate iTunes Media
When you install and set up iTunes for the first time, the software automatically chooses a location to house your library. By default, that location is C:users[username] MusiciTunes. That folder stores the iTunes library file, which is a database of all your iTunes content, along with other files.
Sep 11, 2018 Is your Mac running low on storage space? One way to easily free up room is by utilizing iCloud Photos and the optimize storage feature. Read on to see if this solution could be a good fit for you. Icloud photo library free up space on mac download. Mar 18, 2020 Your Photos library holds all your photos, albums, slideshows, and print projects. If your library is large, and you want to free up storage space on your Mac, turn on iCloud Photo Library and use Optimize Mac Storage, or move your library to an external drive. Before you start, be sure to. Oct 07, 2019 How to free up storage space on your Mac Save space by storing your content in iCloud or using built-in tools to find and remove large or unneeded files. Optimized Storage in macOS Sierra and later. can save space by storing your content in iCloud and making it available on demand. Jan 05, 2020 If you want your Mac's photos to wirelessly sync to all your other iOS devices and computers, you want to set up iCloud Photo Library: Apple's photo sync service lets you back up your images on all your devices, as well as access them — online or offline — on said devices.If you're willing to pay for the extra iCloud storage space, you can store an incredible amount of photos and videos.
Your content itself is saved in the folder iTunes Media, which contains subfolders for your music, movies, TV shows, books, and other items. Confirm the location for your iTunes content by opening iTunes and navigating to Edit > Preferences > Advanced in Windows and iTunes > Preferences > Advanced on a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier. The location of your iTunes Media folder is displayed.
Move Your iTunes Library to a Network Drive
Why go through the trouble of moving your library to a network drive or NAS device? Well, a computer that houses your iTunes library needs to be turned on any time you want to access the content from a different device.
By moving your library to a network drive that’s always available, you or anyone else in your household can access the content from any computer or mobile device in your home at any time.
If you have a network drive or NAS set up, use the software for your router or NAS to create a specific network share to store your iTunes library. Name it something like iTunesContent, then open File Explorer in Windows or Finder in macOS.
Map a drive to this new network share, maybe assigning the letter 'I' to iTunesContent. Finally, create a folder on your new network share called iTunes. Then, open your new iTunes folder and create a subfolder called iTunes Media.
Transfer the Folders
In File Explorer, Windows Explorer, or Finder, copy all the subfolders in the iTunes folder, except the iTunes Media folder, from your computer to the iTunes folder on your network.
iTunes Media Folder
Open iTunes, then click the Edit Menu (or the iTunes menu on a Mac) and select Preferences > Advanced. What happens if i delete photo library on mac. Click the Change button for your iTunes Media folder location, then navigate to and select the iTunes Media folder on your network share.
The location should say: I:iTunesiTunes Media (assuming you used 'I' as the drive letter for mapping). Then check the two options for 'Keep iTunes Media folder organized' and 'Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library.' Click OK to close the Preferences window.
Move and Rename
A message may say it's updating your iTunes library. It then asks if you would like to move and rename the files in your new iTunes Media folder to match the 'Keep iTunes Media folder organized' preference. Click Yes.
Move Itunes Music Library From One Mac To Another Mac
Add Folder to Library
Now it's time to move your iTunes content. Open the File menu in iTunes and click Add Folder to Library (Windows) or Add to Library (Mac).
Select Subfolders
From the Add to Library window, drill up or down to your iTunes Media folder and select all the subfolders except for the 'Automatically Add to iTunes' folder. Select Audiobooks, Books, iTunes U, Movies, Music, Podcasts, and TV Shows. Then click the Select Folder button.
Hurry Up and Wait
iTunes now starts adding the content from the library on your computer to the new library on your network. Step away from your computer and take a nice long break as the copying may take awhile, especially if you have a large library.
Did the Files Transfer?
After the copying is complete, close iTunes. In File Explorer, Windows Explorer, or Finder, open the iTunes Media library on your network and make sure the folders and files for your music, books, and other content are there.
Rename iTunes Folder
Rename the iTunes folder on your computer to something like iTunes-old. Hold down the Shift key and reopen iTunes from its shortcut. A message pops up asking you to choose the iTunes library.
Click the 'Choose Library' button. In the Open iTunes Library window, navigate to and select the iTunes Library.itl file in the iTunes folder on your network and then click the Open button.
Test Your Handiwork
iTunes opens and should display the content from your music folder or whatever folder you last accessed. Select the other types of content from the menu, such as movies, TV shows, and books, to make sure the thumbnail images for those items display in iTunes. You should also try playing some music, movies, or TV shows to ensure that they play properly.
When you're satisfied that all your content files now reside on the network and that iTunes is pointing to them, you can delete the old iTunes folder on your computer. From now on, any time you open iTunes, the software will access your files from the network.
Move Your iTunes Library to Another Computer
If you want to move your library from one computer to another, make sure iTunes is installed on the target PC first. Don't open iTunes yet. If you did already open the program on the target computer, launch File Explorer or Finder, navigate to the C:Users[username]Musicfolder, and delete the entire iTunes folder.
Copy Your Files Via a HomeGroup
If you're a Windows 7 or 8.1 holdout, you can transfer files from one computer to another through HomeGroup. Once both computers are linked, open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:Users[username]Music folder. Select and copy the iTunes folder, then click the entry for HomeGroup, the entry for your username, and the entry for the target computer.
You should see all the shared folders of the target computer, including the Music folder. Open the Music folder and paste the iTunes folder from the source to the target PC. Take a nice, long break as the copy is likely to take awhile.
Copy Files With External Devices
HomeGroup is not available in Windows 10, so those with that OS (and Mac users) will have to find an alternative method to copy files between two different machines. You can copy them from the source PC to an external device, then copy them over to the target computer. Another option is to use a USB cable to connect both computers and copy the files over. If your library isn't too large, you can always copy it to and from an online file storage site such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, Dropbox, or Box.
Authorize This Computer
After the copy finishes, open iTunes on your target computer. If you haven't yet authorized this computer for iTunes, click the Account menu, move to Authorizations, and click 'Authorize This Computer.' At the window to authorize the computer, sign in with your Apple ID and password and click the Authorize button.
Move Itunes Library To External Drive
Test Your Handiwork
Now move to the different categories—such as Music, Movies, and TV Shows—and make sure you can access and play the content. If all is well, go back to your source computer. Make sure you de-authorize iTunes so it's not chewing up a license. You can then delete your iTunes content and uninstall iTunes at the source.
Move Your Library in Catalina
Moving your library on a Mac that's running macOS Catalina is a different process, mainly because iTunes has been retired as the default application for storing and organizing media. As such, your content is stored in different locations. The default locations are as follows:
- Music: C:/users/[username]/music
- TV Shows and Movies: C:/users/[username]/movies
- Podcasts: C:/Library/Group Containers/243LU875E5.groups.com.apple.podcasts
- eBooks and Audiobooks:C:/Library/Containers/com.apple.BKAgentService/ Data/Documents/iBooks/Books.
Accessing Podcasts on macOS Catalina
Moving podcast episodes and books would be problematic due to their default locations, but you don't have to move them. Just open the Podcasts app on your new Mac, and it should automatically display the shows to which you subscribe. From there, you can download individual episodes.
Accessing Books on macOS Catalina
Move Itunes Library Windows 10
For books, open the Books app on your new Mac; it should display any books you've purchased through iTunes. You can then download individual books to your computer.
Move Itunes Music Library From One Mac To Another Drive
To add other books you've obtained elsewhere, copy your entire Books folder (and Audiobooks folder if it's separate) from your old Mac to an accessible location for your new Mac.
Open the Books app and click File > Add to Library, then select your Books and Audiobooks folders. Click Add and your books should be imported into your new library.