Backup iTunes

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Level 1

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Backup iTunes

I have an extensive iTunes library (iTunes Music folder is 73G) on an old MBP running OS 10.11. I don’t have enough room on that hard drive for Dropbox, although I do have plenty of room in my Dropbox account, so generally I upload directly to Dropbox. For backing up iTunes, though, I don’t know how to get around this problem of not being able to duplicate the library on my hard drive first.

I did try to copy it to a PC, but much of my iTunes library is from my own sources and not purchased from iTunes, and I only ended up with ITunes-purchased items.

I don’t necessarily need to sync, but at least just copy the existing library. I don't use Time Machine. What's my best option?

MacBook

Posted on May 22, 2019 4:50 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

274,546 points

May 22, 2019 5:27 AM in response to karenr

Any way that works should be fine. Perhaps you should simply copy over the entire iTunes folder in sections by hand. If the media folder isn't inside the main iTunes folder see Make a split library portable - Apple Community first.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

274,546 points

May 22, 2019 4:56 AM in response to karenr

See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy - Apple Community. There is an equivalent tool for Mac called Synkron mentioned there. Time Machine could also serve you well. I use it on my Mac rather than Synkron as there is less management to do.

tt2

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Answer 3

karenr Author

Level 1

12 points

May 22, 2019 5:16 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks!! My Windows machine is just not reliable enough to trust with anything important. And I should have mentioned that my ancient MBP is running very slowly on OS 10.11 and tends to overheat very easily if I throw anything too CPU-intensive at it. Namely, Time Machine. I haven't tried to update Carbon Copy Cloner ever since Snow Leopard! In this case, which backup option might be the least work for my tired old Mac?

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