How To Transfer iTunes Library From One Computer to Another Export Copy Songs Videos Apps New MacHey everyone! Heres a tutorial on how to transfer your itu. Use Copy or Backup Software. The easiest way to transfer an iTunes library is to use software to.

On the computer from which you want to copy your iTunes library, click or double-click the iTunes app icon, which resembles a multicolored musical note on a white background. If prompted to update iTunes, click Download iTunes and follow the on-screen instructions. You may have to restart your computer before you can proceed. Another tip for those who play music!! Here is how we have our itunes configuration so transferring the itunes playlists and music to another comp. On a Mac, the easiest way to transfer an iTunes library to a new computer is to use the Migration Assistant tool. Migration Assistant attempts to re-create your old computer on the new one by moving data, settings, and other files. It transfers most files well and will save you a lot of time.

You could just move the ~/Music/iTunes to the ~/Music/iTunes folder on the other machine - it works. Don't forget to authorize that machine afterwards.

...And de-authorize the old one! (if you whish) ;)...
I did that a few months ago and I forgot to de-authorize the old machine. I was wandering who else installed my songs on their computer... :/ ;)

Apple will let you clear out your authorized machines list once a year. After that just reauthorize the machines you own. Just log into your iTunes account. Under account information, if you've deauthorized your whole list in the last 12 months you wont see the button. If you've never deauthorized then you should be able to see a button.
Hope this helps.

Actually, u can clear authorizations as many times as u want... the trick is when u get to the max of 5 machines, then you can goto your account settings in the iTunes Store and it will then let u reset all authorizations. This works every time. Try it. I can't tell you how many times I've had to do this.

If you want to preserve play counts, last added date and last played date, you need to make sure the name of the hard drive is the same on both machines. eg: Macintosh HD. You also need to make sure that the name of the User folder is the same (including capitalization).
Then just copy the library from one Mac to the other. Afterwards start iTunes, and you should have an exact duplicate of your old Library on your new Mac.

I apologize for the 'dumb' question but I am a new user and do not understand your solution. I have just purchased a imac and wish to transfer my itunes files from my pc to the imac. Your solution suggested that once you have consolidated your itune library to a folder on your desktop, you move the folder to the vacted itunes?. I assume that in my case, I create a consolidated folder on my pc desktop. But how do I get the folder from my pc to the imac? Your assistance is appreciated.

Go onto your PC and go into your My Music folder. There should be an iTunes folder there - you need to get that to your iMac. I would suggest initiating a network connection if you are on a high speed connection and just dragging and dropping. Otherwise, if it is small enough, you could always just burn that folder to a DVD.

Just finished transferring 45 GB from my crusty old Dell to my spankin' new 20' iMac 2.66 C2D. I rely heavily on ratings to populate dozens of smart playlists and they transferred perfectly, even coming from the XP ghetto to the OSX promised land! My playcounts are still there as well, and I figured they'd be gone for sure. Thanks!!

I know this makes me sound like a luddite troll, but you would not have to 'authorize' or deal with any other hassles if you just bought good ole fashioned CDs. Then you could do what you like with the stuff YOU BOUGHT, rather than kowtow to your corporate lords and masters. There's no incomprehensible 6-page EULA and you won't have to buy the white album again once Apple and iTunes have gone the way of Commodore.
CDs will probably still work in '18. I have my doubts about proprietary, DRM-laden audio codecs.

I went to the Advanced menu but found no option called 'Consolidate'. Now what? I'm running mac OS 10.4.11, on a pre-Intel G5. Thanks!

It's probably under a different menu - I believe Apple moves around all the menu items every so often to ensure that no one ever gets too comfortable using their software. You can easily locate this (or any) menu item by opening the help menu and typing consolidate.

'I believe Apple moves around all the menu items every so often to ensure that no one ever gets too comfortable using their software.'
Seriously?
What you have stated is the complete opposite of Apple's philosophy and practice.

LOL The part about not wanting users to get too comfortable was a joke, (well, kinda, lately I'm not so sure) but I have seen several different menu items in several different [Apple] Apps move around over the years. In particular, the Consolidate item which seems to only be accessible by right clicking on a song. (I see there is File > Library > Organize that will let you consolidate your entire library though.)

Hi, I spent whole a day trying to get my pcs itunes library to my new mac, but it just didn't work out. That's why I started searching for a software solution and found a little app promising to transfer entire itunes libraries from pc to any other computer. Finally this app did the trick and maybe its helpful for others as well. Its called Tune swift and you'll find a free activation code on the following page: http://www.copytrans.net/copytranstuneswift.php Note: It doesn't seem to be the fastest app. I transferred about 70GB and it took me about 2 or 3 hours to backup and transfer everything, but therefore it was easy to use and it worked.

When moving from mac to windows:
1) copy the iTunes folder across
2) find the file called 'iTunes Library' that has no extension. Its in the same folder as a file called 'iTunes Library.xml'.
3) Copy this file in the same folder.
4) name the copy 'iTunes Library.itl' in other words give it a file extension of 'itl'
5) Find your iTunes icon on your desktop
6) hold the shift key down, do not release it
7) double click on the icon using your mouse
8) iTunes will ask you to use a different library
9) browse to the folder containing your itl file created earlier and select the file
10) voila - your mac library is now working in windows.

When transferring from PC to MAC do the above procedure I gave in an earlier post in reverse - ie you just remove the '.itl' extension from the 'iTunes Library' file.
Also in order to get the MAC to ask you for a new iTunes Library you must Hold down the option(alt) key when starting iTunes (sometimes to get this right you first select the icon, hold option, then click to start it).

Tried this
http://www.transfer-itunes-library.com
Worked great for me

Hello,
I am always curious about how to transfer a full iTunes library between my iPod and iPad 2. Thanks for your guide!

Most people have quite large iTunes libraries, and it might be a little bit difficult to import iTunes library from one computer to another.

For me, however, the main drawback of a new computer is that you need to configure everything from scratch. This is the fun. Part of it is fun, but it can be stressful and long-lasting. For example, migrating your iTunes library to a new computer. There is nothing fun, and if you have a large library, it could take hours.

There are some important techniques you can use for that. This article contains details of each option. The below article provides a step-by-step guide on how to import iTunes library.

• Method 1: Transfer iTunes Library to New Computer Using iMyFone TunesMate
• Method 2: Transfer iTunes Library to New Computer Using External Hard Drive
• Method 3: Transfer iTunes Library to New Computer Using Migration Assistant (Mac Only)

Method 1: Transfer iTunes Library to New Computer Using iMyFone TunesMate

While the first two options may be time-consuming and not efficient to deal with and may result in some data loss or external drive crash, iMyFone TunesMate comes up with a perfect solution to get this done efficiently.

If you want to import iTunes library to a new Mac or PC, you can use iMyFone TunesMate iPhone Transfer tool to transfer your entire iTunes library from one computer to another. TunesMate, by definition, is an easy iOS media transfer tool (iOS 14/13/12 Supported) that can transfer iTunes library from your iTunes/computer to iPhone/iPad/iPod with iOS 13/14 and vice versa.With iMyFone TunesMate, the entire iTunes library can be moved to a new computer without losing data or affecting the iTunes library on the previous computer.

Key Features:

• Free 2-way transfer from iOS device running iOS 14/13 to iTunes/computer or from iTunes/computer to iOS device.
• Get rid of iTunes limitations and error.
• Both free and paid music/movies are supported to be transferred.
• No data loss in your iPhone while transferring.
• Transfer data from unlimited iDevices and unlimited iTunes libraries.

Steps to Transfer iTunes Library from One Computer to Another Using iMyFone TunesMate

Step 1.Install iMyFone TunesMate on your old computer. Connect your iPhone to your old computer and run TunesMate.

Step 2.Click 'Transfer iTunes Mdia to iDevice' from your home interface.

Step 3.After that, all of your iTunes libraries will be checked. Then click 'Transfer' to continue.

Step 4.After transferring the iTunes library to iPhone, iPod or iPad, you can now install TunesMate on a new computer, connect iPhone, and launch the software.

Step 5.Click 'Transfer iDevice Media to iTunes' to sync iTunes library transferred from iPhone to iTunes on your new computer.

Step 6.Press 'Start' to commence.

Now you have successfully moved your iTunes library from one computer to another.

Given the limitations the first two options may possess, to import iTunes library with iMyFone TunesMate is the best and most efficient.

Method 2: Transfer iTunes Library to New Computer Using External Hard Drive

External hard drives offer more storage capacity at lower costs than ever before. In appreciation to this, you can get a very extensive external hard drive at an affordable price. This is another easy way to move your iTunes library to a new computer, especially if your library is larger than the storage capacity of your iPod. To transfer iTunes library to a new computer using this method, you need an external hard drive with enough storage space for your iTunes library.

Step 1.Locate iTunes library on your computer.

MAC - Users > Username > Music > iTunes > iTunes Library.itl

Windows Vista or later – C:Users > Username > Music > iTunes > iTunes Library.itl

Windows XP – C:Documents and Settings > Username > My Documents > My Music > iTunes > iTunes Library.itl

Step 2.Plug your external hard drive into your old computer, and copy and paste iTunes Library. Itl file into external hard disk drive.

Step 3.Detach the external hard drive from the first computer. Then connect the external hard drive to the new computer where you want to transfer the iTunes library to.

Step 4.Transfer iTunes Backup from the external drive to the new computer.

Depending on the size of your iTunes library and the speed of the external hard drive, it may take some time to import iTunes library from your external hard drive to new computer.

Method 3: Transfer iTunes Library to New Computer Using Migration Assistant (Mac Only)

On Mac, the easiest way to transfer iTunes library to a new computer is to use the Migration Assistant Help Tool. This can be used when setting up a new computer or after it is already done. The migration wizard tries to create your older computer in a new one by moving data, settings, and other files. Not 100% perfect but most files are transferred very well and it will save you a lot of time.

The Mac OS Setup Wizard offers you this option when setting up a new computer. If you do not select it, use it later by locating the Migration Wizard in the Applications folder inside the Utilities folder.

Step 1.Connect both computers with a Firewire or Thunderbolt cable (depending on your Mac).

Move Itunes Library To New Computer

Step 2.Restart your old computer and hold down the 'T' key. You will see it restart and display the Firewire or Thunderbolt icon on the screen.

Transfer Itunes Library Between Computers

Step 3.Start the migration wizard to the new computer and follow the instructions on the screen to import iTunes library (You already know the location of iTunes library in first method).