PJM513

Q: Waking up Mac Mini to access iTunes Library via Homesharing

Hello -

 

I currently store my entire music library on an external hard drive connected to my Mac Mini from late 2009 (running OSX 10.10.4).  I would like to access my music on both my iPhone, my Macbook, and my Apple TV (newest model, running tvOS).

 

When the Mac Mini is awake, everything runs smoothly.  However, when the Mac Mini goes to sleep, there seems to be no way for any of my Apple devices to wake up the Mac Mini to activate Homesharing. Instead, I have to physically go upstairs and wake up the computer.  There has to be a better way.

 

I have tried using apps like Fing to WoL my Mac Mini from my iPhone, but it doesn't seem to work.  Any suggestions?

Posted on Dec 5, 2015 7:14 AM

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Q: Waking up Mac Mini to access iTunes Library via Homesharing

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  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Dec 6, 2015 3:15 PM in response to PJM513
    Community Specialists
    Dec 6, 2015 3:15 PM in response to PJM513

    Greetings PJM513,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

     

    I understand that you are only able to access your entire library when your Mac Mini is awake because all of your media is on an external hard drive. One option you may want to consider is adjusting the sleep and wake settings for your Mac Mini. The following article explains how to change and adjust these settings if you choose to do so. 

     

    OS X Yosemite: Set sleep and wake times for your Mac

     

    Have a great day!

  • by PJM513,

    PJM513 PJM513 Dec 7, 2015 6:20 PM in response to joe_7399
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2015 6:20 PM in response to joe_7399

    Joe -

     

    Your post sounds like you think the problem has to do with the files be on the external hard drive.  Would it work differently if the files were on the computer's hard drive?

     

    Also, I'm concerned about the energy costs of keeping the computer running at all times.  Is there any way to wake it up only when I want to access the music?

  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Dec 11, 2015 6:20 AM in response to PJM513
    Community Specialists
    Dec 11, 2015 6:20 AM in response to PJM513

    Hello PJM513,

     

    I do understand your concern leaving your computer on and the energy costs, but I think there is a solution for you. Regardless of where your music is located, the computer would need to be awake to share that media. 

     

    Wake your Mac or PC and open iTunes

    Make sure that the computer you want to share or stream content from is on and awake, and that iTunes is open. If iTunes is already open, quit and reopen it.

    If you're using a Mac with an Apple TV, you can set your Apple TV to wake your Mac for services like Home Sharing. On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver. Select Wake for Wi-Fi network access. Learn more about Wake on Demand.

     

    Get help with Home Sharing - Apple Support

     

    That being said, you may want to look in to Wake on demand. This may be a solution for you that will still allow your computer to sleep and give you access to the media from the external hard drive. 

     

    About Wake on Demand and Bonjour Sleep Proxy - Apple Support

     

    Cheers!