Are you running out of disk space on your computer and looking for a way to free up some storage? One effective solution is to copy your iTunes library to an external drive. By doing so, you can keep your music, movies, and other media files safely stored on an external device while still being able to access them through iTunes. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to copy your iTunes library to an external drive.
Step 1: Open iTunes on your computer.
Step 2: Go to the "Preferences" menu. On a Mac, click on "iTunes" in the top menu bar and select "Preferences." On a Windows computer, click on "Edit" in the top menu bar and choose "Preferences."
Step 3: In the Preferences window, click on the "Advanced" tab.
Step 4: Under the "iTunes Media folder location" section, click on the "Change" button.
Step 5: Choose a location on your external drive where you want to copy your iTunes library. Select the external drive from the sidebar and create a new folder for your iTunes library if necessary. Once you have chosen the location, click on the "Open" button.
Step 6: In the Advanced tab, make sure the option "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" is checked.
Step 7: Lastly, click on the "OK" button to save the changes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Frees up valuable disk space on your computer. | 1. Requires an external drive with sufficient storage capacity. |
| 2. Keeps your iTunes library safe in case of computer failure or data loss. | 2. Need to reconnect the external drive whenever you want to access your iTunes library. |
| 3. Allows you to easily transfer your iTunes library to another computer. | 3. Potential issues with file paths or broken links if the external drive is disconnected or renamed. |
By following the above steps, you can copy your iTunes library to an external drive, effectively freeing up space on your computer while ensuring that your media files remain easily accessible through iTunes. Remember to connect the external drive whenever you want to access your library. Enjoy the extra storage space and the convenience of having your iTunes library securely backed up!
Video Tutorial:How do I download my entire iTunes library?
Where is the iTunes library stored?
The iTunes library is a central repository for all your music, videos, and other media content. In the earlier versions of iTunes, the library location was fixed by default, but with recent updates, users have the flexibility to choose where they want to store their library. The default location of the iTunes library varies depending on the operating system you are using, but here are the default paths for some commonly used systems:
1. Windows:
– For Windows 7 and Windows 8: C:\Users\username\My Music\iTunes\
– For Windows 10: C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes\
Note: In these paths, "username" refers to your Windows account username.
2. macOS:
– For macOS Catalina and later: /Users/username/Music/
– For macOS Mojave and earlier: /Users/username/Music/iTunes/
Note: In these paths, "username" refers to your macOS account username.
However, as mentioned earlier, you can choose a different location to store your iTunes library if you prefer. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Open iTunes.
2. Go to the menu bar and select "iTunes" (on Windows) or "iTunes" (on macOS).
3. Choose "Preferences" from the dropdown menu.
4. In the Preferences window, click on the "Advanced" tab.
5. You will see an option called "iTunes Media folder location." By default, it will display the current path.
6. To change the location, click on "Change" and browse to the desired folder location on your computer.
7. Once you have chosen the new location, click "OK" to save the changes.
By following these steps, you can customize the storage location of your iTunes library to suit your needs or preferences.
Is iTunes the same as Apple Music?
No, iTunes and Apple Music are not the same.
1. iTunes: iTunes is a digital media player and library developed by Apple Inc. It was originally designed for organizing and playing digital music and videos on personal computers. iTunes also includes features such as syncing media files with Apple devices, managing apps, and purchasing content from the iTunes Store. However, iTunes as a standalone app no longer exists since the release of macOS Catalina (version 10.15) in 2019. Its functionalities have been divided into separate apps like Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Books.
2. Apple Music: Apple Music is a subscription-based music streaming service provided by Apple. It allows users to stream a vast library of music from various genres and artists directly to their Apple devices. Apple Music has a streaming catalog of over 75 million songs and offers personalized recommendations based on individual music preferences. Additionally, Apple Music provides features like playlists, radio stations, music videos, and exclusive content. It also integrates with other Apple devices and services, allowing for seamless synchronization across devices.
In summary, while iTunes was primarily a media management and playback software, Apple Music is a music streaming service that provides access to a vast digital music library along with additional features.
Can I Copy my iTunes library to an external hard drive?
Yes, you can definitely copy your iTunes library to an external hard drive. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer using a USB cable or any appropriate connection.
2. Open iTunes on your computer.
3. Go to the "File" menu and select "Library" and then "Organize Library."
4. In the dialog box that appears, check the option "Consolidate files" and click "OK." This step ensures that all your media files, including music, videos, and podcasts, are organized and copied to a single location.
5. Once the consolidation process is complete, close iTunes.
6. Locate your iTunes library folder on your computer. By default, it is stored in the following locations:
– On Windows:
– Windows 7 or later: C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes\
– Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\
– On Mac:
– macOS Catalina or later: /Users/username/Music/iTunes/
– macOS Mojave or earlier: /Users/username/Music/iTunes/
7. Copy the entire iTunes folder to the external hard drive.
8. After the copying process is complete, safely eject the external hard drive from your computer.
9. Connect the external hard drive to another computer (if needed), and make sure it is recognized.
10. Install iTunes on the new computer (if not already installed) and open it.
11. Copy the iTunes library folder from the external hard drive to the appropriate location on the new computer, following the same path as mentioned earlier.
12. Launch iTunes holding the Shift key on Windows or the Option key on Mac. A dialog box will appear asking you to choose the iTunes library.
13. Select the iTunes library folder you just copied from the external hard drive and click "Choose" or "Open."
14. iTunes will then open with your library and all your media files available for use.
By following these steps, you can successfully copy your iTunes library to an external hard drive and access it from another computer if needed. Keep in mind that this process may take some time depending on the size of your iTunes library, so be patient throughout the copying and consolidation steps.
Does iTunes still exist?
Yes, iTunes does not exist in its traditional form as a standalone application anymore. In 2019, Apple discontinued iTunes and replaced it with separate apps for different functions. Here are the changes:
1. Music: The functionality of iTunes related to music management was transferred to the Apple Music app, which is pre-installed on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This app allows users to stream music, access their purchased music, create playlists, and sync music libraries.
2. Movies and TV Shows: For video content, iTunes was replaced by the Apple TV app. This app enables users to buy, rent, and watch movies and TV shows. It also provides access to Apple’s original content through the Apple TV+ subscription service.
3. Podcasts: The dedicated Podcasts app was introduced to handle podcast subscriptions, streaming, and management. Users can discover and subscribe to podcasts, download episodes, and create playlists for their preferred shows.
4. Device Management and Syncing: Device syncing and management features, including software updates, backup, and device configuration, are now handled through Finder on macOS. For Windows users, there is a separate app called "Apple Mobile Device Support" that handles device management tasks.
It’s important to note that even though iTunes as an app doesn’t exist anymore, its core functions have been redistributed among these separate apps, which collectively provide similar or improved experiences for managing and enjoying different types of media on Apple devices.
Can I store Apple music on an external hard drive?
Yes, you can store Apple Music on an external hard drive. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Transfer iTunes library: Connect your external hard drive to your computer and open iTunes. Go to "Preferences" and click on the "Advanced" tab. Make sure the "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" option is checked. Next, go to your iTunes library and select the music you want to transfer. Right-click on the selection and choose "Copy" or "Move to External Hard Drive" option. This will transfer the selected music to the external hard drive.
2. Set iTunes media folder location: In iTunes, go to "Preferences" and click on the "Advanced" tab. Click on the "Change" button next to the "iTunes Media folder location" option. Select the external hard drive as the new location for your media folder. Click "OK" to save the changes. This will ensure that any new music you add to your iTunes library is stored on the external hard drive.
3. Syncing Apple Music with external hard drive: If you’re using Apple Music subscription, you need to configure iTunes to download songs and albums directly to the external hard drive. Go to "Preferences" in iTunes, click on the "Advanced" tab, and ensure that the "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" option is checked. Also, make sure the "Sync Library" option is enabled. This will ensure that your Apple Music library is synced with the external hard drive and any downloaded songs are stored there.
By following these steps, you can store your Apple Music library on an external hard drive, freeing up storage space on your computer while still having access to your music.
How do I Copy an iTunes playlist to an external hard drive?
To copy an iTunes playlist to an external hard drive, you can follow these steps:
1. Connect your external hard drive to your computer using the appropriate cable (USB or Thunderbolt depending on the drive).
2. Open iTunes on your computer and ensure that your iTunes library and playlists are accessible.
3. In iTunes, select the playlist you want to copy to the external hard drive from the left-hand sidebar.
4. Go to the "File" menu at the top of iTunes and choose the "Library" option.
5. From the drop-down menu, select "Export Playlist" to save the playlist as an XML file on your computer.
6. Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the exported playlist XML file and click "Save".
7. Once the playlist XML file is saved, go to the location you chose and locate the file.
8. Open the file browser or finder on your computer and navigate to the external hard drive.
9. Copy the playlist XML file from your computer and paste it into a suitable location on the external hard drive.
10. Safely eject the external hard drive from your computer to ensure that the data transfer is complete and the drive is ready to be removed.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully copy an iTunes playlist to an external hard drive. This allows you to have a backup of your playlist or transfer it to another computer or device easily.