How to merge 2 iTunes libraries

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How to merge 2 iTunes libraries

I have one of the ancient original iPods that has my iTunes music from years ago. I also still have the old Dell desktop PC that has the old original iTunes library. I also have a new HP laptop and a new iPhone SE 2020 - they share a newer iTunes library. I want to merge the old library onto the new HP laptop without losing the new music. How do I do that? My new HP laptop and my new iPhone SE 2020 do show up as devices connected to my iTunes account. But my old Dell desktop PC and my ancient iPod do not show up as connected to my iTunes account.

Can I attach the old iPod to my new HP laptop and somehow merge the music from the old iPod into the iTunes library on the HP laptop without losing the newer music that is currently on the HP laptop iTunes library? And without messing up the new iPhone SE info that is backed up on the HP laptop?

Thanks!!

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Jan 18, 2021 10:20 PM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

278,061 points

Jan 19, 2021 3:34 AM in response to DragonSpeed

See Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community to move the library from the old computer to the new one, as a separate library. On the new computer use the shift-start-iTunes method to connect to the old library. Export the old library as an XML file. Connect to the new library and import the XML file of the old library. See Duplicate songs in iTunes - Apple Community to remove any duplicates. Consolidate the library, backup, delete the now redundant copy of the old library.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,061 points

Jan 19, 2021 7:20 AM in response to DragonSpeed

The blue text in my posts are links to more information. Post back with specific questions if you get stuck.

See Use multiple iTunes libraries on PC - Apple Support for more on using the shift-start-iTunes method to switch libraries.

File > Library > Export Library in iTunes will allow you to export the library as an XML file. This is a list of the locations of all of the files that are part of that library, and which playlists those tracks are in. Importing that XML file into another library (File > Library > Import Playlist) should add the files, merging the libraries into one.

The deduping link explains how to remove any duplicates.

File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files will copy in items from the old library that weren't duplicates into the new library's media folder so that everything is properly organized in one place.

That is how to do a true library merge. Alternatively you can copy the media files from one computer to the other by way of a shared network folder or thumb drive and place the copied files into the Automatically Add to iTunes folder inside your library's media folder. Typically the path to this is C:\Users\<User>\iTunes\iTunes Media.

Burning to optical media is not the way to go.

tt2

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Answer 3

DragonSpeed Author

Level 1

40 points

Jan 19, 2021 7:03 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks so much for your reply - unfortunately I'm not very tech savvy - so don't know how to move the library from the old computer to the new one as a separate library; what the shift-start-iTunes method is, or how to export the old library as an XML file, etc. Would you be able to give me specific step by step instructions? If that's just way too much to cover, I get it. :)

I'll try to find a local expert who could do it for me.

As a last resort, I was thinking I could burn CDs from the old computer with the music that isn't currently on my new laptop (there is some overlap between the 2), then upload them to my new laptop using a portable DVD writer or something (since new laptop doesn't have a CD tray) into my iTunes library. Then buy the iTunes Match, upload them all to that to be able to turn them all into unprotected, higher bit (I think that's the right term!) versions and re- download them. Sounds pretty labor intensive, but I'm thinking I have a better shot at doing that successfully!! Does that sound feasible to you?

Thanks again....

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