Buzz
This article shows you how to transfer your iTunes music library from one computer to another. Additionally, you can make use of the Home Sharing feature if both computers are connected to the same wireless network and logged into the same Apple account.
Steps
Using an External Hard Drive
Ensure that iTunes is installed on the other computer. For instance, if you're transferring the library from your home computer to a new machine, make sure iTunes is installed on the new computer before proceeding.
Open iTunes. Perform this step on your home computer to transfer your library.
Click on File (File). This option is located at the top left corner of the screen (Mac) or at the top left of the iTunes window (Windows).
Select Library (Library). This option appears near the bottom of the File dropdown menu.
Click on Organize Library… (Organize Library). This item appears in the dropdown menu that pops up.
Select the "Consolidate files" checkbox. This option is located above the Organize Library window that appears.
Click on OK. The button is located at the bottom of the window. This step will begin transferring music from your computer to the iTunes Media folder.
- If you're on a Mac, you might be prompted to enter your Apple ID password before proceeding.
- This process may take a few minutes.
Connect the external hard drive to the computer. Plug the USB cable into the USB port on your computer.
- If you're using a Mac, you'll need a USB-C to USB-3.0 adapter to connect the hard drive to your computer.
Windows File Explorer
Music FolderThis ComputeriTunes ApplicationCtrl KeyCOpen the external hard drive. Click on the drive's name on the left side of Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows).
Copy the iTunes folder to the external hard drive. Select Edit, then click Paste (for Mac), or press Ctrl and V at the same time (for Windows).
Wait for the iTunes folder to finish copying. This process may take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on the size of the library.
Disconnect the external hard drive. To do this:
- Mac - Click the ⏏ Eject icon next to the drive's name in Finder, then unplug the drive from your computer.
- Windows - Click on the drive icon with a checkmark in the lower-right corner of your screen (click ^ if it's hidden), then click Eject and safely remove the drive from your computer.
Connect the external drive to the new computer.
Open the external drive. To do this:
- Mac - Open Finder, then click on the external hard drive name on the left side of the Finder window.
- Windows - Open Start, click the File Explorer icon, and click the external drive name on the left side of the Explorer window.
Copy the iTunes folder. Click on the folder, then click Edit and select Copy (Mac), or press Ctrl+C (Windows).
Access the iTunes folder on the new computer. To do this:
- Mac - Click on the Mac hard drive in the upper left corner of Finder, double-click the Music folder, and find the iTunes folder.
- Windows - Click on the Music folder on the left side of the File Explorer window, then locate the iTunes folder.
Delete the iTunes folder. Click on the folder, then click Edit and select Move to Trash (Mac), or press Delete (Windows).
- If the new computer has music files, deleting the iTunes folder will also remove those files. If you wish to keep the music files, you will need to copy the iTunes folder to a different location (such as the desktop), remove it from the Music folder, and then return to the external drive's iTunes folder to copy it again.
Copy the iTunes folder to the Music directory. Click Edit and then Paste (on Mac), or press Ctrl+V (on Windows). The iTunes folder from the external drive will begin transferring to the Music folder.
- The process may take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on the size of your iTunes library.
