Most people have pretty large iTunes libraries, which can make trying to transfer iTunes to a new computer complicated.
With libraries that often have over 1,000 albums, multiple full seasons of TV, and a few feature-length movies, our iTunes libraries take up a lot of hard drive space. Combine the size of these libraries and with their metadata (content like ratings, playcounts, and album art) and you need an efficient, comprehensive way to transfer iTunes or back it up.
There are a number of techniques you can use to do this. This page gives some detail on each option. The next page offers a step-by-step to using these techniques to transfer your iTunes library.
Use iPod Copy or Backup Software
Assuming you choose the right software, probably the easiest way to transfer an iTunes library is to use software to copy your iPod to a new computer (though this only works if your entire iTunes library fits on your iPod). We've reviewed and ranked a number of these iPod copy programs.
External Hard Drive
External hard drives offer more storage capacity for lower prices than ever before. Thanks to this, you can get a very large external hard drive at affordable prices. This is another simple option to move your iTunes library to a new computer, especially if the library is larger than the storage capacity of your iPod.
To transfer an iTunes library to a new computer using this technique, you'll need an external hard drive with enough space to store your iTunes library.
- Begin by backing up your iTunes library onto the external hard drive.
- Disconnect the external hard drive from the first computer.
- Connect the external hard drive to the new computer you want to transfer the iTunes library to.
- Restore the iTunes backup from the external drive to the new computer.
Depending on the size of your iTunes library and the speed of the external hard drive, this can take some time, but it's effective and comprehensive. Backup utility programs can also be used to modify this process – such as only backing up new files. Once you have this backup, you can just copy it to your new computer or your old one, if you have a crash.
NOTE: This is not the same as storing and using your main iTunes library on an external hard drive, though that's a useful technique for very large libraries. This is only for backup/transfer.
Use iTunes Backup Feature
ITunes offers a built-in back up tool that you can find in the File menu. Just go File - > Library - > Back Up to Disc.
This method will back up your full library (with the exception of audio books from Audible.com) to CD or DVD. All you need are blank discs and some time.
However, if you’ve got a big library, or a CD burner rather than a DVD burner, this will take many, many CDs (one CD can hold about 700MB, so a 5GB iTunes library will require about 8 CDs). This may not be the most efficient way to back up, since you’ve already got hard copies of the CDs in your library.
If you’ve got a DVD burner, this will make more sense, as a DVD can hold the equivalent of nearly 7 CDs (that same 5GB library will only require 2 DVDs).
If you’ve just got a CD burner, you may want to consider choosing the option to only back up iTunes Store purchases or make incremental backups – backing up only new content since your last backup.
For more information about this option, check out Apple's guide to the process.
Migration Assistant (Mac only)
On a Mac, the easiest way to transfer an iTunes library to a new computer is to use the Migration Assistant tool. This can be used when you’re setting up a new computer, or after it’s already done. Migration Assistant attempts to recreate your old computer on the new one by moving data, settings, and other files. It isn’t 100% perfect, but it transfers most files very well and will save you a lot of time.
The Mac OS Setup Assistant will offer you this option as you set up your new computer. If you don’t choose it then, you use it later by finding Migration Assistant in your Applications folder, inside the Utilities folder.
To do this, you’ll need a Firewire cable to connect the two computers. Once you’ve done that, restart the old computer and hold down the “T” button. You’ll see it restart and display an orange Firewire icon on the screen. Once you see this, run Migration Assistant on the new computer, and follow the onscreen instructions.
iTunes Match
While it's not the speediest way to transfer your iTunes library, and won't transfer all types of media, Apple's iTunes Match is a solid option for moving music to a new computer.
To use it, follow these steps:
- Subscribe to iTunes Match
- Your library is matched to your iCloud account, uploading the unmatched songs (expect to spend an hour or two on this step, depending on how many songs need to be uploaded)
- When that's complete, go to your new computer, sign in to your iCloud account and open iTunes.
- In the Store menu, click Turn on iTunes Match
- A listing of the music in your iCloud account will download to your new iTunes library. Your music has not been downloaded until the next step
- Follow the instructions here on downloading a large number of songs from iTunes Match.
Again, the size of your library will determine how long downloading your library will take. Expect to spend a few hours here, too. Songs will download with their metadata intact--album art, play counts, star ratings, etc.
Things that are not transferred by this method include video (if your video is from the iTunes Store, you can redownload it using iCloud), apps and books (can also be redownloaded), playlists.
Given its limitations, the iTunes Match method of transferring iTunes libraries is best only for people who have a relatively basic library of just music and don't need to transfer anything besides music. If that's you, it's a simple and relatively foolproof option.
Merging Libraries
There are a number of ways to merge multiple iTunes libraries into a single library. If you're transferring an iTunes library to a new computer, that's basically a form of merging libraries. Here are seven methods for merging iTunes libraries.
Ready to begin your transfer? Read on.
