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How can I sync the same iTunes 11 library between 2 users on the same Mac?

With iTunes 10 I was able to have one main iTunes library under one user and have a second user (on the same Mac) access it by putting an alias of the iTunes Libray.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml files in the second user's iTunes folder. This ensured that the library remained synced regardless of which user added or made changes to it. With iTunes 11, I am no longer able to do this. If I try I get the following error pop up: 'The iTunes application could not be opened. An unknown error occured (13014)'. If I delete the aliases in the second user's account the error message goes away but nothing shows up in the main iTunes window.


I've been able to at least access the iTunes library (which is stored on an external drive) with the second user by changing the iTunes media folder location in advanced preferences to the main iTunes library and then selecting file/add to library and selecting the iTunes media file which (eventually) pulls up all the song/movie/apps etc. information. However, the 2 libraries do not remain synced (i.e. a change in one does not show up in the other).


Anyone know of a way to get one library to remain synced between 2 user accounts on the same machine with iTunes 11 or am I going to be forced to delete and recreate the second user's iTunes info frequently to 'catch up' with the original?


Any help would be appreciated.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5), 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Posted on Dec 13, 2012 10:39 AM

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3 replies

Dec 13, 2012 11:11 AM in response to mbates5

I'm surprised the alias method worked, and it certainly isn't the prescribed method.


iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3664756?answerId=17331189022#17331189022


Chris CA's instructions on sharing one iTunes music library between multiple user accounts - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1901348?answerId=8974074022#8974074022 - Multiple users using a single library file - similar post at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3753008


Suggestion by Turingtest for multiple users and one library - http://discussions.apple.com/thread/1932131?answerId=9117622022#9117622022 - use smart playlists and tags to isolate groupings.


Discussions on using purchases from multiple AppleIDs in one iTunes library - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4287298?answerId=19543804022#19543804022

How can I sync the same iTunes 11 library between 2 users on the same Mac?

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