DerekBradley
Level 1 (11 points)
Wireless

Q: New Apple Computer

I am purchasing a new iMac and would be interested to know how to transfer all my music albums koto the new computer, retaining the music in albums  (shown in my current iTunes as playlists)  I don't particularly want each and every track transferred separately.  I use a Time Machine which is always updated and also have a separate hard drive (Free Agent)

Also, what about all my emails?

Thanks

Derek

IMac2.7, Mac OS X (10.6), Snow Leopard

Posted on Mar 8, 2016 2:13 PM

by Limnos,Solvedanswer
Limnos Limnos
Level 9 (53,971 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Moving a library: Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its sub-folders and files) intact to the other drive, hold down the option/alt key (shift on Windows) while starting iTunes, and when requested to select a library select the iTunes Library.itl file in the copied folder. 

 

When this is to a new computer put the copied iTunes folder in the default location of Macintosh HD > Users > *User Name* > Music  (or Home > Music) then you don't even need to start with the option key held down, iTunes will automatically look for it there.  (Make sure there isn't anything already in the iTunes folder there that you want to keep since you will be replacing it with the one you are moving.)  Remember to authorize the computer in iTunes to your Apple ID if you use this to sync to Apple mobile devices or play DRM protected media (e.g., movies).

 

Certain items used in iTunes related activities are not stored in the iTunes library folder but in special folders.  If you are moving a library to a different computer you may wish to copy these too:

 

- Apple Music cache files: http://dougscripts.com/itunes/2015/09/new-flush-apple-music-cache-files/

 

- iOS device backups, various preferences files: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3285925

Posted on Mar 8, 2016 3:10 PM

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DerekBradley

Q: New Apple Computer

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  • Helpful answers

  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN Mar 8, 2016 2:59 PM in response to DerekBradley
    Level 10 (84,646 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Mar 8, 2016 2:59 PM in response to DerekBradley

    Since you have no questions for Photos for Mac (where you posted) I will request that your post be moved to the iTunes for Mac forum which is the total subject of your question

     

    LN

  • by Limnos,Solvedanswer

    Limnos Limnos Mar 8, 2016 3:10 PM in response to DerekBradley
    Level 9 (53,971 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 8, 2016 3:10 PM in response to DerekBradley

    Moving a library: Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its sub-folders and files) intact to the other drive, hold down the option/alt key (shift on Windows) while starting iTunes, and when requested to select a library select the iTunes Library.itl file in the copied folder. 

     

    When this is to a new computer put the copied iTunes folder in the default location of Macintosh HD > Users > *User Name* > Music  (or Home > Music) then you don't even need to start with the option key held down, iTunes will automatically look for it there.  (Make sure there isn't anything already in the iTunes folder there that you want to keep since you will be replacing it with the one you are moving.)  Remember to authorize the computer in iTunes to your Apple ID if you use this to sync to Apple mobile devices or play DRM protected media (e.g., movies).

     

    Certain items used in iTunes related activities are not stored in the iTunes library folder but in special folders.  If you are moving a library to a different computer you may wish to copy these too:

     

    - Apple Music cache files: http://dougscripts.com/itunes/2015/09/new-flush-apple-music-cache-files/

     

    - iOS device backups, various preferences files: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3285925

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Helpful

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Mar 9, 2016 12:55 AM in response to DerekBradley
    Level 8 (38,823 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 9, 2016 12:55 AM in response to DerekBradley

    If the old computer is a Mac, there is a built-in Migration Assistant tool

     

    Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support

     

    You can also use Migration Assistant with a Time Machine archive as your data source.

     

    If you want to transfer just your iTunes data in a manual fashion (not using Migration Assistant), this document describes how to back up your complete iTunes folder (with all iTunes data) to an external drive, and then "restore" it on the new computer.

     

    Manage and back up your iTunes media library - Apple Support