Can I access my itunes library on a different computer?

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Can I access my itunes library on a different computer? 07/19/2011 04:11 by ThomasOakes: We have a desktop computer upstairs with itunes downloaded on it. We have thousands of songs because we have had this account for multiple years. Now the computer with itunes is really slow and i have no patience for it. So now on my personal laptop I opened a new itunes account. It still has the same user name and password. Now is there a way to transfer the music from the original computer to the laptop? There should be because it's the same account. Please help!; First answer posted by SallyWhittaker at 07/19/2011 04:19

8 Answers

SallyWhittaker
There are several ways to do this, but most of them will mean you will lose your play counts, star ratings, and similar things. The track names and all that meta data will transfer, so don't worry about losing those listings.
- One way is to open iTunes on both computers and turn on library sharing. Then access the old library from the new iTunes. This can take a while to initiate depending on library size and computer speed. If you are truly the same account on both then every track should have a copy option now, which will copy them from the old to the new. This only works if they are truly the same iTunes account on both computers.
- Another way is to simply connect to the other computer on the network and copy your entire iTunes library (the actual files and folders, not the listing you see inside the program) to your new computer. Then import that whole library into iTunes (can be done through the menus or simply drag and drop it into the iTunes window on the Mac). You can also use the "export Library" command to transfer a lot of the extra information, but you have to make sure to place files in the exact same places, with the exact same paths as before. This is not something the average user understands, so it can be hard to do. without help.
- There are also programs you can get online that will help you do this and even possibly do this for you. I never do it this way, so I can't personally speak as to the quality of any of these. I just know they are out there and I have friends who have used some. If you do a google search for transfer iTunes library or files you should be able to find them.
Was this answer helpful? 13 1　·　07/19/2011 04:19

jat8811
Exactly. Your library only lives on your home computer. It's not online, it's physically on your computer. It won't be on your friends.

There are ways to move your library from computer computer (yours not a friends, because your friends aren't going to want you to move all your music to their computer).

The songs you bought on your friends computer will not be on YOUR computer unless you take the songs of your friends computer and put them into your own iTunes.

You can do this with your iPod by putting the songs on your iPod.

(if you have your iPod on automatic. you may not want to connect to your friends computer).

If you are on manual, connect and transfer, eject and when you return to your home computer, you can right click your iPod and select "Transfer purchases"

Alternatively, burn them to a CDR as data and then add them to your iTunes library from the disc later.
Was this answer helpful? 8 2　·　07/29/2011 02:25

JPhillippy
you can access your ACCOUNT, but not your LIBRARY.
Was this answer helpful? 7 4　·　07/19/2011 04:19

SteveQueen
If you look at the menu there should be an option saying Home Sharing (If not have a look through the menu's in the top)

if you login to that on both computers using the same account you can stream the media, assuming both computers are turned on.

To copy it unfortunately you have to do it the long and boring way.
1. Backup the library by copying it to a CD, USB flash drive, external hard drive etc.
2. And then copy it to your new computer.
Was this answer helpful? 2 3　·　07/19/2011 04:19

johnny_teng
First you need to install itunes, and then your ipod sync with computer
Was this answer helpful? 2 0　·　08/02/2011 02:40

JPhillippy
Those music files are saved on your old computer so you need to transfer them.

You can use a jump drive, an ipod, or a USB cable that connects your old computer to your laptop. I have done this before and it is pretty easy.

The thing is, the account itself doesn't hold your music files, so you can't just open those files on another computer (like checking your yahoo email on different computers - doesn't work like that). The music file must be saved on your laptop if you want to listen to that music on your laptop.

Hope this helps.
Was this answer helpful? 1 0　·　12/06/2011 00:54

mollyzoles
Try Home sharing function of itunes.
Was this answer helpful? 0 0　·　09/15/2011 04:03

Anonymous user
I have read heaps on this topic and I am still stuck. I have copied my itunes library from my old laptop to a hard drive and transferred this to my new laptop. I can see all of the applications in my library, can download new content but I can't access anything. Can anyone help?
Was this answer helpful? 0 0　·　11/17/2011 21:39

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