Delight13
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: Transferring multiple iTunes Libraries to New Mac

I have a PowerBook that has all of my music on it in iTunes, songs that I burned from CDs that I own (or did own at some point).  Then I got a newer MacBook, I never did a transfer of my iTunes library from the PowerBook to the MacBook.  However I use the MacBook to connect my iPod touch and my iPad to iTunes, so there are a ton of apps and books in the iTunes library on the MacBook (the whole reason the getting the MacBook, it was handed down, was to be able to update the devices as the PowerBook was not compatible being an older computer, though I never did do a complete transfer of use from the PowerBook to the MacBook and now both are running slow and not smooth).

 

So now I have a iMac and really want to put the iTunes library from the PowerBook onto it, I also want to be able to use it to connect my iPod and iPad to iTunes without losing my current apps.  Am I going to have to pick only one of the iTunes libraries to transfer over to the iMac? If so and I decide to transfer the PowerBook iTunes library to the iMac, what will happen when I connect my iPod and iPad the the iMac?  Will I lose all my apps or can I get them into the iMac iTunes library after the transfer of the PowerBook iTunes library by using my apple ID somehow? 

 

Also I have a first generation iPod that has a cracked screen however still works.  There is a ton of music on that from the PowerBook prior to a hard drive crash, so it is a different iTunes library then mentioned above.  Is there a way to get the music off that iPod and onto the iMac without deleting the iTunes library on the iMac?

 

As you can see I am trying to consolidate all my computers and devices to as few as possible to make life a bit less hectic and give a new home to some of the older products I no longer need, maybe a bit late but better then not at all.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Em

 

PowerBook OSX Version ??

MacBook OSX Version 10.6.8

iMac OSX Version 10.6.8

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 9, 2015 8:41 PM

by Limnos,Apple recommended
Limnos Limnos
Level 9 (54,642 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Complicated situation with multiple possibilities = complicated answer.

 

You can transfer both libraries to the iMac by copying the entire iTunes folder (presuming you have been using default iTunes advanced preferences for iTunes organizing and copying your media).  To start from one library or the other you can hold down the option/alt key while starting iTunes and guide it to the desired folder.  If you want to merge libraries the standard way is to decide which one is primary, add the media from the other library to the primary, then site back and sort out duplicates. There are third party tools that purport to aid in this but you will have to browse the internet.

 

Any device that has synced with a library has to sync with the same library as before or iTunes will erase the device first before syncing the new library.  If you do not wish to have the device erased then you will need to continue to use all the original libraries.  You can transfer content purchased from Apple to an iTunes library prior to erasing a device so it will get synced back. If you have content not purchased from Apple you really should already have thins in one of your libraries.  If you absolutely must transfer it prior to re-syncing you will have to purchase third party software to do this.

Posted on May 9, 2015 9:02 PM

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Delight13

Q: Transferring multiple iTunes Libraries to New Mac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Limnos,Apple recommended

    Limnos Limnos May 9, 2015 9:02 PM in response to Delight13
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 9, 2015 9:02 PM in response to Delight13

    Complicated situation with multiple possibilities = complicated answer.

     

    You can transfer both libraries to the iMac by copying the entire iTunes folder (presuming you have been using default iTunes advanced preferences for iTunes organizing and copying your media).  To start from one library or the other you can hold down the option/alt key while starting iTunes and guide it to the desired folder.  If you want to merge libraries the standard way is to decide which one is primary, add the media from the other library to the primary, then site back and sort out duplicates. There are third party tools that purport to aid in this but you will have to browse the internet.

     

    Any device that has synced with a library has to sync with the same library as before or iTunes will erase the device first before syncing the new library.  If you do not wish to have the device erased then you will need to continue to use all the original libraries.  You can transfer content purchased from Apple to an iTunes library prior to erasing a device so it will get synced back. If you have content not purchased from Apple you really should already have thins in one of your libraries.  If you absolutely must transfer it prior to re-syncing you will have to purchase third party software to do this.

  • by Delight13,

    Delight13 Delight13 May 12, 2015 1:01 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (1 points)
    May 12, 2015 1:01 PM in response to Limnos

    I would like to merge the iTunes libraries from the PowerBook and the MacBook to make a new library for the iMac.  As far as duplicates there shouldn't be any since I never added anything new to the PowerBook library once I start adding new stuff to the Mac Book library. 

     

    As for syncing devices once I have merged and transferred the two iTunes libraries onto the iMac, then when I sync my devices with the iMac any music/audio books that were on the devices should be able to be put back on since the devices had previously been synced with the MacBook and now that iTunes library is merged with the PowerBook's iTunes library and make up the iMac's iTunes library?  As for apps, all my apps were purchased through the app store and so I should be able to access them when my apple ID is connected to the iMac's iTunes.

     

    Can I follow the info in this tutorial to to do the merge/transfer of the iTunes libraries?  Should I first add the PowerBook library to the MacBook and then the now new MacBook library to the iMac, or can I add the PowerBook and then MacBook libraries to the iMac?

     

    Thanks!

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos May 12, 2015 8:57 PM in response to Delight13
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 12, 2015 8:57 PM in response to Delight13

    Yes, it all seems okay. Make the MacBook library (the one with which devices have been synced) your primary library and add other media to it. Transfer it to the iMac via the process (somewhat long-winded description) in your link.