Copy Itunes Library From Windows To Mac

11.04.2020
44 Comments

Andy Reply: July 11th, 2008 at 5:22 pm. I can confirm that these steps work even when moving the library between two different versions of iTunes. On my Windows machine I use Windows XP x64 (which cannot use any newer iTunes Version than 7.5) and on the Mac the current iTunes 7.7. Oct 29, 2010  This video will show you how to migrate your iTunes library from a Mac to a PC. Your playlists, ratings, and play count will remain in tact. For this video I used: -A MacBook running OSX 10.6.4.

  • iPhone to Mac
  • iPhone to PC
  • iPhone to iPhone/iPad

“My iTunes is too large and I plan moving iTunes library to an external drive to free up space on computer. Any suggestions or warnings for this?”

iTunes is an useful tool for iPhone users to manage media files like music, playlist, videos and ringtones. Every time you connect your device to computer, it will automatically scan and backup your data, all the media items will be saved in iTunes library. However, sometimes you may need to transfer iTunes library from PC to external hard drive when your computer meets hardware failure or you just want to free up storage space. This article will offer you 2 ways to copy iTunes library to external disk easily.

Part 1: Transfer iTunes Library to USB Stick from iTunes Media Folder

Normally you can move iTunes library to another drive on Windows 10/8/7 and Mac directly, here are the detailed steps:

Step 1: Open iTunes and click Edit -> Preference. Then choose “Advanced” on the upper right corner. Now you can see three options, check “Keep iTunes Media folder organized” and “Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library”.

Step 2: Click File -> Library -> Organize Library and then check 'Consolidate files”, press OK to copy all iTunes library into iTunes Media folder.

Step 3: Now open computer, click Music and find iTunes folder. Choose the folder named “iTunes Media and open it, all your iTunes songs and other files are saved here. Connect an USB disk to computer and export entire iTunes library to external hard drive.

How To Get To My Itunes Library

Part 2: Copy Music from iTunes to Flash Drive with Free Tenorshare iCareFone

An alternative way for copying iTunes music and videos to an USB flash drive is to use Tenorshare iCareFone-the professional data transferring software and an iPhone/iPad/iPod. Free download this program and follow the steps below:

Mac os x dyld_library_path

Step 1: Connect iPhone to computer and run the software. Choose “Files Manager” on the interface and then select data type, take music for an example.

Step 2: Click “Add” and find iTunes music from C:UserMusiciTunes Music, choose all the songs and press “Open” to add them to your phone.

Step 3: Connect USB drive to computer and then choose all the music and click “Export to”, a pop-up window will ask you to choose a location to save the data, find your external disc on computer and click “Choose” to move all the files into it.

Part 3: Tips for Moving Data from iTunes Library to Hard Drive

  • Your library might not fit onto a flash drive if you have a large collection of music or apps, which could cause an error during copying process. Create a subfolder in iTunes Media folder and move individual items one by one.
  • Many people will notice a 'Export Library” on iTunes when trying to transfer iTunes library to another disk, actually it’s just a list of your music and metadata other than the audio files.
  • If you’re planning to put iTunes data to a new computer, we can tell you it’s definitely not that necessary. Just log in your iTunes Store to download them again on your new computer.
  • Using the Consolidate Files option creates new copies in your iTunes library; remember to delete the duplicated ones to reclaim the storage space.

Get a new Mac but don’t know how to transfer your iTunes library from the old computer to the new one? Well, this article can help you out with two simple solutions on how to transfer iTunes library to new Mac.

Q: How to transfer iTunes library to my new Macbook? I would like to move my entire iTunes Library from my Windows PC to an external hard drive and I’d like to keep it there because it won’t fit onto my new Macbook Air. I am happy to plug this in whenever I wish to use my iTunes Library.

–A User from Apple Community

With a large iTunes library, it would not be an easy case for you to transfer it to your new Mac. Transfer data between two computers can be pretty annoying. With diverse genres of content in your iTunes library, it would be nice if you can find a good tool to transfer it simply and quickly.

And to help you out, in this article, we shall render you efficient methods on how to transfer iTunes library to new Mac.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via External Hard Drive or USB Drive

Step 1. To find the location of your iTunes media folder, launch iTunes on your old computer > Then click “Edit” (PC) or “iTunes”(Mac) on the menu bar > Preferences > Advanced > Here you will see the “iTunes Media folder location” in your computer.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via External Hard Drive or USB Drive – Step 1

Step 2. Then click File > Library > Organize Library > Check the box named as “Consolidate files” > Click OK.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via External Hard Drive or USB Drive – Step 2

Step 3. Quit iTunes > Connect your external hard drive or USB drive to the computer > Open the iTunes media folder from the location in step 1 > Drag the folder to the external hard drive/USB drive.

Step 4. Open iTunes > Then click “Choose Library” in the pop-up window > Select the iTunes library folder in your external hard drive.

Step 5. On your new Mac, connect your external drive to Mac > Click Finder on your new Mac > Choose the Music folder > Then drag the iTunes library folder in the external drive to the music folder in new Mac.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via External Hard Drive or USB Drive – Step 5

Step 6. Launch iTunes on your new Mac > Hold down the Option key while opening iTunes > Click “Choose Library” in the pop-up window > Select the music folder in your local hard drive > Choose the iTunes library folder > Click Open.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via External Hard Drive or USB Drive – Step 6

If you do have iPod classic, iPod nano or iPod shuffle, you can also use it as a hard drive in iTunes on Mac. Connect the iPod to your computer > Click the device icon on your iTunes > Summary > Select “Enable disk use” > Click Apply.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via AnyTrans for iOS

Besides manually moving your iTunes library to a new Mac, there is an easier and quicker way for you to achieve it – AnyTrans for iOS. It is a professional iOS data manager that allows you to simply transfer your iOS data from one device to another.

Transfer Itunes Library Between Computers

  • Transfer media content selectively or wholly from iTunes to your hard drive or another iDevice without hassle.
  • Transferring music speedily. AnyTrans for iOS supports you transfer more than 1000 songs in minutes.
  • Manage and transfer almost all your iOS data like contacts, photos, ringtones, music, calendar, from one iDevice to another or from iDevice to computer and vice versa.
  • No leak or loss of data. AnyTrans for iOS assures that all the data in the process of transferring would not be leaked or lost.
AnyTrans for iOS – iTunes Music Transfer

Want to transfer your iTunes library to another Mac simply and quickly? You can easily achieve it with this helper – AnyTrans for iOS. It can help you transfer your media content from iTunes to iDevice or computer without hassle.

Download AnyTrans for iOS now on your Windows PC or Mac and follow the below steps to know how to transfer iTunes library to new Mac.

Where Is My Itunes Library

Step 1. Launch AnyTrans for iOS > Connect your iDevice to the computer as an external drive > Click the button in the middle of the top bar > Choose iTunes Library in the drop-down menu.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via AnyTrans for iOS – Step 1

Step 2. Select all the items at once or some of them > Click on Send to Device button.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via AnyTrans for iOS – Step 2

Step 3. On your new Mac, connect your iDevice to the new Mac > Under Device Manager, go to Category Management > Choose Content to iTunes.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via AnyTrans for iOS – Step 3

Migrate Itunes Library From Windows To Mac

Step 4. Check the box of the data types you want to transfer > Click the arrow icon to initiate the process.

How to Transfer iTunes Library to New Mac via AnyTrans for iOS – Step 4

The Bottom Line

That’s the two methods on how to move iTunes library to new Mac. As you can see, with the help of AnyTrans for iOS, you can manage your iTunes library or iPhone data easier than ever. You can also back up your iOS app and restore them to your iDevices at any time. Download it now and enjoy your free trial!

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