Transferring your iTunes library to another computer can be tricky, especially if you’re moving the library to an older machine or using a completely different operating system. The good news is that it’s easy to do, as long as you follow these three simple steps. If you use iTunes on your other computer, download and install iTunes onto the new computer and log in with the same Apple ID. 3 Simple Steps to Transfer Your iTunes Library to Another Computer
Step 1. Backup your data
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The first thing you need to do is back up your data. This means moving any files and folders you don’t want to lose from your computer onto an external drive or network storage. This step is critical because if something goes wrong with transferring your library, it could render all of that precious music on your computer unusable. So, follow our guide for backing up your data before proceeding: How To Back Up & Restore Music Libraries In iTunes . Once that’s done, skip ahead to Step 2 in our walkthrough.
Step 2. Export your music and video files
While your music and video files are stored on your computer, you can export these files from iTunes so that you can keep a backup or transfer them to another device. Here’s how: From within iTunes, click on File > Library > Export Playlist. A window will pop up prompting you to select a folder for exporting your playlists. This is where you will save all of your music and videos as they are exported. If you have another Apple product such as an iPhone or iPad, make sure that they have enough space available because when syncing with an iOS device, it will replace any existing music with files from your library.
Step 3. Import your content on the new computer
Once you’ve finished backing up your files, it’s time to import them on your new computer. On your old computer, go back into Preferences (or Edit menu) and select Import Settings. Again, make sure that you have checked off every file type that you want imported onto your new machine. In our case, we only want music files transferred over. Once that is done click OK. This will take a few minutes but once it has completed you will see a confirmation pop-up box stating so; click OK and continue with step 4 below.
3 MORE STEPS to Transfer Your iTunes Library to Another Computer
S TO TRANSFER YOUR ITUNES LIBRARY TO ANOTHER COMPUTER: 1. Go to your home folder, which will probably be in your main hard drive. Go into Music and then into iTunes and go into all subfolders (iTunes, Music, etc.). Export each folder with all of its contents by pressing Shift+Ctrl+A. Name it something like old_library or whatever you like.
1) Make sure you have authorized computers
One of a few important things to consider when you’re moving your library is authorizing computers. If you don’t, your music and videos will become unplayable after you’ve moved them; if someone else uses that same computer, they won’t be able to play any of your music unless they authorize it with their Apple ID. On Macs, go to Finder > Applications > Music and double-click on iTunes. Click on Authorize This Computer at bottom right. Enter Apple ID and password then click OK.
2) Use Home Sharing
One of iTunes’s most underrated features is Home Sharing, which makes it easy to transfer any media (iTunes purchases and everything else in your library) from one computer to another. To use it, open up a new Finder window on your new Mac or PC and head over to /Users/Shared/. Inside, you’ll see a list of all your other computers. Select one and you can download anything stored there as well as add new items that aren’t on your computer. Once they download, you can put them anywhere on your hard drive—no copying required. (Pro tip: If you have multiple Macs or PCs in your house, make sure Home Sharing is turned off on all but one.)
3) Copy your files
Once you’ve backed up your music files, you’ll want to transfer them from your old computer over to your new one. Luckily, Apple makes it easy for users. Follow these three steps: First, connect both computers via USB and select Transfer Purchases from [Computer Name] from within iTunes on your old computer.
Q & A
Transferring your iTunes library from one computer to another is a simple process, but you’ll want to be sure that you keep all of your music and playlists intact. You can use iCloud or an external hard drive for transferring. If you choose to transfer via iCloud, however, make sure that both computers are connected to Wi-Fi before beginning. If not, it will take a long time! If you choose to transfer using an external hard drive, plug it into both computers and open iTunes on each device. Click File > Devices > Transfer Purchases From Your Computer Name > Yes when prompted.
How do I transfer iTunes library to a new computer?
If you are planning on getting a new computer, it is best that you transfer your iTunes library to your new computer. Here’s how you can do it 1. Open iTunes and make sure both computers are connected to each other using same Wi-Fi connection or same Ethernet cable. This will allow them to communicate with each other and sync files between them. You may need to enter your Apple ID password on both computers if they aren’t already synced with each other before doing so as well. Once they have been synced, then proceed onto step 2 below:
2. On both computers, go into View menu and select Show Sidebar option from drop down list of options available there:
How do I move my iTunes library to another computer Windows 10?
If you have created an Apple ID and have a valid payment method associated with it, you can make all purchases from either your computer or devices. However, if you want to access your existing library on one computer with all purchases available, follow these steps: 1. Using Finder/File Explorer in Mac OS X or Windows Explorer in Windows 7 & 8 or later, copy or move all files from Music folder of your current iTunes library (usually located at: C:\Users\username\My Music\iTunes) into the same location for your new library. 2. Navigate back to original iTunes folder and rename it so that you don’t mix it up with your new library in future. 3.
How do I export my entire iTunes library?
First, you’ll need to start by making sure that both your current computer and your new computer are authorized on your Apple account. Once you’ve done that, go ahead and copy all of your music files over to an external hard drive. If you’re on a Mac, open up Finder and hit Shift+Command+G. In the dialog box that appears type ~/Music/ (without quotes) then click Go. This will take you directly to where all of your music is stored in OS X. Copy everything from here onto your external hard drive as well. On Windows it’s a little bit different—simply copy everything from My Music -> iTunes -> iTunes Media onto your hard drive as well, wherever works best for you.