How can I move my entire iTunes library from old laptop to new one?

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How can I move my entire iTunes library from old laptop to new one?

I got a new iPad for Xmas to replace an old laptop not realising I would still have to have a laptop or PC for my main iTunes library. I have got round ths by creating my own area on my partner's laptop & have installed my iTunes library on there. However, it has only installed my purchased music & not my wider collection such as all my CD's that I burned then got rid of to go digital. I have my complete library on my iPad & iPhone but need it on my laptop too in case I lose or break a device & need to install my iTunes library to a new device.

I have followed the support detailing how to move your iTunes to a new computer but am not getting very far. I don't have an iPod to use as an external hard drive. I read that you can drag your iTunes library to a CD or DVD but my library is 16GB & I don't have any disc big enough!

Does anyone have an idea of a simple way I can do this? Is it not possible to do it directly from my iPad or iPhone seeing as my complete library is on both of these devices?

iPad, iOS 6.1

Posted on Feb 1, 2013 3:35 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 2, 2013 3:04 PM in response to DebbieLake

The following article(s) may help you.

Moving your iTunes library to a new computer

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Answer 2

Feb 3, 2013 12:36 AM in response to DebbieLake

This article gives the process about how to recover your library from an ios device

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991

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Answer 3

DebbieLake Author

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Feb 3, 2013 2:54 PM in response to DebbieLake

Thanks for tips. I'm still not sure what to do though! It seems so complicated! I'm sure I'll figure it eventually!

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Answer 4

Feb 4, 2013 12:55 AM in response to DebbieLake

Before you connect any device to a new library go to the Devices tab of the the preferences panel via Edit > Preferences (Windows) or iTunes > Preferences (Mac) and ensure the box next to Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically is ticked. You can now safely connect the device to your computer without the danger of media being automatically deleted or overwritten.

To get all your content off your connect your iPad to your new computer.

Then use a 3rd party piece of software to transfer your content

I have found Senuti useful but there are others listed in the article I linked to in a previous post.