Linking MacBook to PC-created iTunes library on an external hard drive?

Question

Level 1

10 points

Linking MacBook to PC-created iTunes library on an external hard drive?

I previously had a PC and kept my iTunes library and all media on an external hard drive (Western Digital Passport). Now I have a MacBook; how do I open my library now? I saw some other directions but they indicated a different folder for Mac than the ".itl" extension that they pointed out was for Windows users. Do I need to do anything since the library was created while using a Windows computer?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Nov 15, 2013 5:55 PM

Reply

Answer 1

judysings

Community Specialist

Nov 18, 2013 11:02 AM in response to bamabunny

Hi bamabunny,

Welcome to the Support Communities!

The article below may be able to help you with this.

Click on the link to see more details and screenshots.

iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751

iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364

iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449

Cheers,

- Judy

Reply

Answer 2

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Nov 18, 2013 11:29 AM in response to bamabunny

bamabunny wrote:

I previously had a PC and kept my iTunes library and all media on an external hard drive (Western Digital Passport). Now I have a MacBook; how do I open my library now?

Hold Option, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the /iTunes/ folder on the external.

I saw some other directions but they indicated a different folder for Mac than the ".itl" extension that they pointed out was for Windows users.

The iTunes library.itl file is the iTunes library database inside the iTunes folder. It is the same name on WIndows and Mac.

Reply