I am trying to move my iTunes folder from an external USB HD connected to my iMac over to a Synology NAS, which is mapped as a network drive. When I do this (via copy/paste), the folder structure is copied over, but not the files within the folders. Non-iTunes folders copy over just fine. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks again for your helpful suggestions. Just to close the loop in this in case anyone else has trouble and sees this thread:
For some reason, I was never able to use copy/paste to transfer my iTunes files from my USB-connected drive on my iMac to the Synology NAS. All of the folders were duplicated, but not the files. Very strange. I also tried the same thing using the file transfer utility built into the NAS, with the same result. Folders other than iTunes transferred just fine using copy/paste, by the way.
On a whim, I tried drag and drop from the finder, and that did the trick. Everything copied over just fine. I have no idea why this worked when copy/paste did not, but in the end I got it done. Once the files were copied to the NAS, I started the Apple music application on my new Macbook Pro, set the iTunes music location in preferences to the NAS, and all of my playlists and files were there with no problem.
The Apple TV app was a bit more problematic, since it did not find my video files even though I set the preferences to the right folder. Instead I had to import each one, and re-download the artwork.
All this took a few hours, but eventually I got it all up and working properly. I watched iTune devolve over the years into what I consider a bit of a mess. iTunes Match, home sharing, family sharing, etc. all seem to operate under different rules, and not well. I realize that the world has moved more to a streaming model and that supports Apple's future plans, but it doesn't quit work for me. The next time I have to do this, it may be time to move to something better supported, or at least less proprietary. Apple support was absolutely no help since the fact that I was using an NAS let them off the hook for any responsibility in their view. The volunteers on this board are pretty helpful though, so thanks for that again.
Don
Thanks again for your helpful suggestions. Just to close the loop in this in case anyone else has trouble and sees this thread:
For some reason, I was never able to use copy/paste to transfer my iTunes files from my USB-connected drive on my iMac to the Synology NAS. All of the folders were duplicated, but not the files. Very strange. I also tried the same thing using the file transfer utility built into the NAS, with the same result. Folders other than iTunes transferred just fine using copy/paste, by the way.
On a whim, I tried drag and drop from the finder, and that did the trick. Everything copied over just fine. I have no idea why this worked when copy/paste did not, but in the end I got it done. Once the files were copied to the NAS, I started the Apple music application on my new Macbook Pro, set the iTunes music location in preferences to the NAS, and all of my playlists and files were there with no problem.
The Apple TV app was a bit more problematic, since it did not find my video files even though I set the preferences to the right folder. Instead I had to import each one, and re-download the artwork.
All this took a few hours, but eventually I got it all up and working properly. I watched iTune devolve over the years into what I consider a bit of a mess. iTunes Match, home sharing, family sharing, etc. all seem to operate under different rules, and not well. I realize that the world has moved more to a streaming model and that supports Apple's future plans, but it doesn't quit work for me. The next time I have to do this, it may be time to move to something better supported, or at least less proprietary. Apple support was absolutely no help since the fact that I was using an NAS let them off the hook for any responsibility in their view. The volunteers on this board are pretty helpful though, so thanks for that again.
Don
Have you tried just setting the new default location of your library and then consolidating? That's the best way to move your library to an external drive. Music > Preferences > Files then change the location. The File > Library > Organize.
Either way should work. I've typically made sure that keep the library organized and copy music to library are enabled. Then I update the location of the media file in iTunes preferences. After that, go to library and organize/consolidate. That will move everything in the library to the external storage whilst keeping the actual library updated.
Thanks! But I am not looking to setup an iTunes server. I just want to move my library to another drive. When I moved it from the internal SSD to a USB drive a few years ago, it was just a copy / paste. That's what I want to do here.
Sorry, but I'm not sure what you mean. My plan was to copy the entire iTunes folder to the NAS, and then change the location of the media folder in iTunes Preferences->Advanced. Not correct? That's how I moved it to the USB drive.
I see. I'm a little fearful that iTunes won't be able to write the files to the NAS, since apparently finder is not able to. I'll steel myself and then give it a try this weekend. Many thanks for your patient responses.
Cannot copy iTunes folder to NAS
