Paratel
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iTunes Library on External Hard Drive

I have my iTunes library on an external hard drive. I am getting a new mac. How do I get the new mac to point to the existing library on the hard drive? Is it simply just going into iTunes/Preferences/Advance and choosing the path? Do I need to shut down iTunes and open it back up for it to show all the items that I have in the library?

Posted on Sep 9, 2012 8:04 PM

Close
Paratel

Q: iTunes Library on External Hard Drive

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Sep 9, 2012 8:12 PM in response to Paratel
    Level 9 (54,628 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2012 8:12 PM in response to Paratel

    First, are all your library files on the external, or are just media on the external?

     

    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

     

    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

     

    If all the files, start iTunes, immediately hold down the option key, then guide it to the location on the external drive.

     

    If just some, then things get tricky. If this is the case, report back and we can provide suggestions.

     

    Do NOT do it with changing preferences.  That just tell iTunes where to put new media.

  • by palmcanoe,

    palmcanoe palmcanoe Apr 12, 2013 7:22 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2013 7:22 PM in response to Limnos

    please please please give more instructions. I am in this predicament. Old iTunes library on external drive and a new mini and not being able to figure out how to connect them . . . (I have just the media files on the external drive) the .itl and .xml files are in iTunes on the old Mac. What is the tricky part?

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 12, 2013 11:49 PM in response to palmcanoe
    Level 9 (79,677 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 12, 2013 11:49 PM in response to palmcanoe

    palmcanoe wrote:

     

    please please please give more instructions. I am in this predicament. Old iTunes library on external drive and a new mini and not being able to figure out how to connect them . . . (I have just the media files on the external drive) the .itl and .xml files are in iTunes on the old Mac. What is the tricky part?

    Copy the entire /Music/Tunes/ folder from old computer to /Music/ on new computer.