Copying iTunes to a New Computer

[PrincessKsMom]

Can anyone point me to where I can find simply, easy instructions for copying my iTunes from an old computer to a new one? I have the cable that will allow me to hook up both computers and transfer directly. Somehow I just don't think it's as easy and clicking and dragging. And I don't want to use my iPod as the hard drive because then I will lose all of my songs that I downloaded from CDs, which is approximately 80% of my 1100 songs. I did this already with my daughter's iPod which was fine because about 95% of her songs were purchased from iTunes.

Trying to get this all straightened out in anticipation of purchasing 2 new iPhones -- like I need more stress in my life.

 

[The Princess]

Why can't you use a jump drive???

 

[SookieStackhouse]

External HD works great... just copy your iTunes folder onto the external drive, then move that to the other computer. Just let it overwrite the target computer's iTunes folder.


One tip... try not to let the SOURCE computer have a newer version of iTunes than the target computer. If you work it right, everything will be intact on the the target computer, playlists, play count, everything.

If they have the SAME version of iTunes it will work. OR If the source has an older version of iTunes than the target computer it will work.

If the target computer has an older version of iTunes, you will still get your music on there that way, but there is a good chance your playlists and stuff will NOT be intact.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

Why can't you use a jump drive???

YES, that would work depending on the size of the drive (if it is big enough).


the LONG "official" way of doing it, is to use the iTunes "backup"... back up your library onto CD or DVD, then use the restore on the new computer. This way is time consuming and wasteful though in my opinion. You probably still have to be careful to make sure your source computer's iTunes is the same or older than the target.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Well I copied my iTunes to the external hard drive. Opened iTunes on the new computer and clicked/dragged everything into iTunes. Synced my ipod and there's nothing there expect the three free songs iTunes gives you. I see all my songs listed, but they're not on my ipod. Any ideas?

 

[SookieStackhouse]

Will the songs play on iTunes on your computer?

If not... try leaving iTunes closed, move the folder and overrwrite the iTunes folder on the target computer, then open iTunes, it should update the library, and it may take while, but you should see it working.

click on Macintosh HD--->Users---->Your Username on the Computer----->Music .... then drop the iTunes folder and let it overwrite



If you have Windows, it should be in the "My Music" folder somewhere


If your music WILL play through iTunes (assuming the external HD is no longer attached), the music IS on the new computer.... the problem might be something simple like a box isn't checked in iTunes telling it exactly what to sync. Like entire library or certain playlists etc...

 

[FlightlessDuck]

If there are some songs that won't play, if they were bought from iTunes, they could be songs flagged as protected content. On your new computer, you would have to make sure iTunes was authorized to play songs bought by your account.

Also, you will want to deauthorize the old computer, if the old one is being gotten rid of.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I obviously didn't copy it correctly. I can't play any of my old music on my computer. It said the song can't be found. Uuuggghhhh. Think I'm going to have to reach out to friends and family and see if I can get someone to do it for me and show me what needs to be done.

Thanks for trying to help.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

hum, i did this yesterday with my new macbook pro! I just took my ipod with my songs on it and hit sync, took a min for all my songs to hit my new laptop..

 

[heart4pooh]

I did this last week using the home sharing feature. It had to be easy for me to figure out!