Using a single iTunes library on two computers

Question

Using a single iTunes library on two computers

Hi there

I have a Macbook running El Capitan and the latest version of iTunes. I have an iMac running Yosemite and the latest version of iTunes.

I currently back up the laptop to the desktop. I would like to be able to open the iTunes library for my laptop on my desktop computer, but when I try to do this iTunes tells me it cannot locate the files.

I have tried a few things.

iTunes organises my media folder but does not automatically copy it to it.

I moved all my music files so they were in a folder below the iTunes .itl file, but the hierarchy above it is different on the laptop and desktop.

I have read around and discussions seem to suggest its possible, but no one described the problem I have.

Using Photos I have been able to do what I want to do with iTunes i.e. open the laptop backup on my desktop (although I may not have tried editing photos so I may just have been looking at thumbnails)

So, I'm a bit stuck and would be grateful if anyone can shed some light on this.

Many thanks

Gareth

MacBook (13-inch Aluminum Late 2008), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Dec 8, 2015 4:13 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 8, 2015 4:58 AM in response to Gareth of the Penman

You should not use the same iTunes library from two Macs. If the two Macs tried to access and update the same library at the same time, it will likely cause data corruption. But the library file (which is a database) is not the same as the location where your iTunes Media files are stored (which is what takes up most of the space). By default, the iTunes Media folder is in the same iTunes folder as the library file. But you can use iTunes preferences Advanced tab to change the location of the iTunes Media folder for an iTunes library. However, two Macs sharing the same iTunes Media folder is also not ideal, because if you make a change (such as adding a new song) from one Mac, the other Mac's iTunes library will not know about that change.

The better solution, I think, is to use Home Sharing with the two Macs. If the iMac has the "primary" iTunes library, set it to share its library over your home network. This is done in iTunes preferences Sharing tab. You can then access the iMac's iTunes library from iTunes running on the MacBook. All the media files are stored on the iMac, and the MacBook accesses the same files. You can set the iMac's iTunes library to automatically download iTunes Store purchases made on other devices (that use the same Apple ID), including the MacBook (in iTunes preferences Store tab). Keep the iMac's iTune library as the main repository with "everything"; the MacBook can have its own separate iTunes content (for when it is apart from the iMac), but when it is back on the same network, the MacBook's iTunes can directly access the iMac's iTunes library (as long as the iMac is not off or sleeping).

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Answer 2

Dec 8, 2015 5:00 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Hi there

Thanks for your reply.

The reason for looking into this was because my laptop is often not turned on, so the home sharing thing wasn't working and I'm looking for an alternative.

I had hoped the database might be able to ignore the higher folder structure, in the same way Photos seemed to, but it sounds like that isnt the case.

Are there any other ways around this?

Thanks

Gareth

Ooops - clicked I helped myself which is not the case!

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Answer 3

Dec 8, 2015 5:06 AM in response to Gareth of the Penman

If your iMac has the main iTunes library, Home Sharing does not need to be turned ON on the MacBook. Home Sharing needs to be turned ON on the iMac only. It does not matter if the MacBook itself is ON or OFF. When you turn it ON (or wake it up), it joins your local network, where it can access the iMac's (shared) iTunes library through Home Sharing. So, I don't understand why it won't work. This is precisely the reason Home Sharing exists, so that you don't need to keep separate iTunes library media files on multiple computers on the same local network.

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