HT204318: How to move your iTunes library to a new computer
Learn about How to move your iTunes library to a new computerQ: How do I use the same external hard drive to move my iTunes from a PC to a Mac when the HD must be configured differently for thos ... How do I use the same external hard drive to move my iTunes from a PC to a Mac when the HD must be configured differently for those two computers? more
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Helpful answers
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Sep 21, 2015 2:16 PM in response to mafchiefby Niel,Use the one formatted for the PC; out of the box, 10.6.8 can read and write FAT32 and exFAT volumes, and read NTFS ones.
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Sep 21, 2015 3:01 PM in response to mafchiefby Limnos,By move do you mean copy the files entirely to your Mac? If that is what you mean you can do it with the PC drive because Macs can read (but not write to) NTFS drives. If you plan on using the library on an external drive you need to be clearer when asking your question. Niel suggests two formats that may work but have limitations. There are others but I am not going to type in all possible solutions until I know the actual question.
By the way, you could do it with a thumb drive as long as you make sure the bits and pieces all get together in the correct place in the end. Kind of like how to move a bookcase full or organized books from one room to another when there is only one person.
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Sep 21, 2015 5:58 PM in response to Limnosby mafchief,Sorry I wasn't clear. Yes, Limnos, I mean copy the files entirely to the Mac. We want to discontinue using the PC entirely; it's very old. Both HDs have already been formatted and previously used for backups. I do not intend to use/keep the library on the external drive. In reading lots of posts on how to best get the libraries onto the Mac, it seemed the external HD method was one that I could manage...and wouldn't cost me anything. I've found good, thorough instructions on how to do that, but realized I wasn't sure which HD to use...or if I needed to have a new one that wasn't formatted yet at all. I need a method, even if it involves purchasing something, that has pretty simple directions to follow. Thanks for the help.
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Sep 21, 2015 6:01 PM in response to Limnosby mafchief,This was the method I was intending to use: How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support. I can handle the method described here.
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Sep 21, 2015 6:02 PM in response to mafchiefby Niel,Drag the library to the desired location; once it’s on the Mac, launch iTunes with the Option key held down and choose it.
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Sep 21, 2015 6:20 PM in response to Nielby mafchief,Thanks! I'm going to try it. You make it sound simple. I'm sure if there's a way to mess it up, I'll find it.