If you’re an Apple user, you probably use iTunes to manage your music playlists. Exporting your playlist from iTunes to a USB stick can be useful in many ways – whether you’re playing music in your car, on a home stereo or simply sharing it with a friend. However, the process can be confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with how to export files from iTunes.
That’s why this tutorial aims to guide you through the process of transferring your iTunes playlist to a USB stick, regardless of your technical ability.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To transfer your playlist from iTunes to a USB drive, you’ll need:
- A USB drive that’s large enough to contain your playlist files
- Your computer with iTunes installed on it
What Requires Your Focus?
You’ll need to pay attention to the location where the exported files will be saved. This will help you easily locate your exported files during the transfer process.
In addition, if your playlist contains songs that are not available on your computer, you won’t be able to export them, and they won’t be transferred to your USB stick.
Different Methods to Transfer Playlist from iTunes to USB Stick
Method 1: Using iTunes on macOS
This method is ideal for Mac users and works by exporting the playlist directly from iTunes onto your USB drive. Follow these steps:
- Connect your USB stick to your Mac’s USB port
- Open your iTunes application
- In the top-left corner of the screen, click “File,” and select “Library” from the dropdown menu
- Select “Export Playlist…”
- In the dropdown menu that appears, select “XML”
- In the “Save As” field, give the file a name and ensure that it’s saved in a location that’s easily accessible, such as your desktop
- Save the file
- Go to the location where you saved the file and find it
- Connect your USB stick to your computer and copy the exported XML file into it
Pros:
- Exporting is simple and can be done directly from iTunes
- No need for third-party software
Cons:
- The process can take some time and require user intervention
- Can only be used on the macOS operating system
Method 2: Using iTunes on Windows
If you’re using Windows, you can still use iTunes to export your playlist to a USB stick. It involves the same process as exporting on macOS, with just a few differences. Here’s how:
- Connect your USB stick to your computer
- Open your iTunes application
- In the top-left corner of the screen, click “File,” and select “Library” from the dropdown menu
- Select “Export Playlist…”
- In the dropdown menu that appears, select “XML” or “TXT”
- In the “Save As” field, give the file a name and ensure that it’s saved in a location on your computer that you can easily access, like your desktop
- Save the file to your computer
- Open your USB stick in File Explorer/Windows Explorer
- Find the exported XML/TXT file and drag it onto your USB drive
Pros:
- Can be done using iTunes, which is widely used
- No need for third-party software
Cons:
- The process can take a significant amount of time and user intervention
- Only available on Windows
Method 3: Using iMusic
If you want to use third-party software, iMusic is an excellent choice for users who want to transfer their playlist from iTunes to a USB drive. It’s available for both Mac and Windows users. Here’s how to use it:
- Install and launch iMusic on your computer
- Connect your USB stick to your computer
- Click on the “Music Library” option in the left sidebar of the iMusic window
- Select the playlist you want to export
- Click on the “Export” button
- In the dropdown menu that appears, select “Export to Disk”
- Select the location on your computer where your exported files are saved
- In the new window that opens, select the files you want to export and click “Export”
- Click on the “Open Output Folder” button, and you’ll see the exported files
- Go to your USB stick, and copy and paste the files there
Pros:
- Faster and more user-friendly compared to the other two methods
- Easy to use, even for beginners
Cons:
- Only available with third-party software
- Requires the installation of third-party software on your computer
Why Can’t I Transfer my fully Playlist from iTunes to USB Stick?
There are several reasons why you might not be able to transfer your entire playlist from iTunes to a USB stick. Here are three potential issues and their fixes:
- Your USB stick may not have enough space to store all the files in your playlist. In this instance, you can either purchase a larger USB stick or delete some of the files from your playlist to fit the ones you need.
- Some songs in your playlist may be protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) software, which prevents their transfer to other devices. To fix this, you may need to purchase the song(s) or try to find versions that aren’t protected by DRM.
- You may be exporting the playlist in an unsupported file format. In this case, ensure that your USB stick is formatted with a file system that supports the exported file format.
Implications and Recommendations
It isn’t enough to simply transfer your iTunes playlist to a USB stick. You need to ensure that the exported files can be played on the device you plan to use the USB stick with. For example, if you’re using your USB stick to play music in your car, make sure that your car’s audio system can support the file format of the exported files.
Also, always ensure you have a backup copy of your playlist, either on your computer or a cloud storage service, in case of damage or loss of the USB stick.
5 FAQs about Transferring Playlists from iTunes to USB Stick
Q1: How long does it take to transfer a playlist to a USB stick?
A: The duration of transfer largely depends on the number and size of files in your playlist. It can range from a few seconds to several minutes, but using third party applications like iMusic can make the process quicker and more efficient.
Q2: Can I export my playlists with third-party applications?
A: Yes, you can export your playlists with third-party applications. However, ensure that the software you choose is reputable and virus-free before downloading it.
Q3: Can I export my playlist wirelessly?
A: Yes, services such as AirDrop and iCloud can be used to export your playlist from your iOS device directly to your Mac, but you’ll still need to connect a USB stick to your computer to transfer it to the USB stick.
Q4: Can I play the exported files on my mobile phone?
A: It depends on the file format of the exported files and your mobile phone’s media player’s supported file formats, so check the manufacturer’s website for specifications on which file types are compatible with your device.
Q5: What should I do if my playlist contains songs that are not in my local library or available for purchase?
A: Unfortunately, you can’t export songs from your playlist if they’re not in your local library and not available for purchase. You’ll need to either purchase the songs or find alternatives that can be added to your local library before exporting.
Final Words
Transferring your playlist from iTunes to a USB stick might seem daunting, but it’s relatively simple, and our guide above should make it easy to complete. With the different methods listed above, you can choose the one that’s best for your needs.
Whether you’re a Mac or Windows user, the steps outlined here are easy to follow. Once you’ve transferred your playlist to a USB stick, you’ll be able to enjoy your music wherever you choose.