Is it possible to sync music & photos from iTunes from more than one computer?

Question

Level 2

182 points

Is it possible to sync music & photos from iTunes from more than one computer?

We have two MacBook Pros - one for me and one for my children.

I currently manage all the music and photos via my Mac (syncing to iOS devices), so there is a single place for all the music and photos.

However the kids now want to be be able to manage their own music and photos.

Is it possible to sync music and/or photos from more than one computer? e.g.:

- sync music from one Mac and photos from the other

- sync music from both Macs

Thank you

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), + iPhone 6 Plus & iPad Air

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 7:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Limnos

Level 10

411,223 points

Jan 18, 2016 9:12 AM in response to Jerry Dammers

The key feature here isn't machines, it is libraries. Devices can only sync to one iTunes library at a time. You would have to arrange it so both computers had the same library (issues with keeping them in sync or in using at the same time), or look to a centralized service such as Match or Apple Music (with it own set of issues). The main thing is the media distributors want tight control on how music and movies can be shared (they don't care about your photos). You can do some things with Home Sharing and Family Sharing.

Family Sharing - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT201060 - "Family Sharing makes it easy for up to six people in your family to share each other’s iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases without sharing accounts. Pay for family purchases with the same credit card and approve kids’ spending right from a parent’s device. And share photos, a family calendar, and more to help keep everyone connected."

Sharing purchased content with Family Sharing - http://support.apple.com/HT201085 - "With Family Sharing, family members get immediate access to each others’ music, movies, TV shows, books, and apps, and can download them to their own devices any time they like.*" "* Not all content and content types are available in all countries. All family members must use the same iTunes Store country or region. Music, movies, TV shows, and books can be downloaded on up to 10 devices per account, five of which can be computers. Apps can be downloaded to any devices the family member owns or controls.

If you don't see your family's shared content - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5449 Also: http://apple.stackexchange.com/a/146077 - quit iTunes Store and App Store apps and start again.

Which purchased content can I share using Family Sharing - Apple Support - http://support.apple.com/HT203046

Leave Family Sharing - http://support.apple.com/HT201081

Home Sharing Support page - http://www.apple.com/support/homesharing/

iTunes 12 for Mac: Use Home Sharing to import items from another iTunes library - https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19614

iTunes: Setting up Home Sharing on your computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4620

Understanding Home Sharing - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3819

Reply

Answer 2

Jerry Dammers Author

Level 2

182 points

Jan 18, 2016 9:17 AM in response to Limnos

Thanks for your answer and the links.

The fact devices sync to libraries not machines is my issue, as it means I can't sync music from one machine and the photos from another.

Now we all have individual Apple IDs for music that looks after itself so sharing the photos is my main challenge.

As the owner of the master family photo library I want to be able to collect my kids photos (on my machine) but they also want that ownership and control themselves (on their machine), and then for us all to be able to sync the best photos from all collections to our devices.

How do other people manage this challenge?

Reply