How-To: One iTunes Library With Multiple Computers
I recently set up a Mac mini in my living room to act as a media server. Instead of trying to update separate music libraries every time I added songs to my collection, I was just adding the music to the Mac mini’s iTunes library and streaming it my laptop. That worked fine until I tried to sync my iPhone. For obvious (copyright) reasons you cannot sync an iPhone to a shared library.
I wanted access to my music on both machines, but I did not want to share my Macbook Air’s library because the laptop would have to be on with iTunes running for the Mac mini to have the music. At this point, I had to choose between running separate libraries and updating them independently or figure out a way to run one library that updated whenever I added music from either machine. I chose the latter of the two options.
Some advantages of having one iTunes library:
- You can sync iPhones to any computer on the network
- You can add and edit playlists on any computer on the network
- You can add music on any computer on the network
Some things you should know before you begin:
- If you are using a laptop and want to take all of your music with you, this is not the method for you. All of the music is stored on a networked drive, so it is only accessible when on the network. (You could set it up so your music can be streamed over the internet, but this article will not go over that).
- You can only make updates to one music library at a time — you cannot have iTunes open on both computers and make changes. Make changes on one, then open the other one.
- You need to close iTunes on the computer you made changes on, and reopen it on all other computers to see changes
Those are all of the limitations I have found, so if those do not bother you, read on!
The Setup
The Mac mini runs Plex for watching movies, iTunes for managing my music, and is connected to the internet so we can watch our online video content (Hulu, South Park Studios and Snackfeed being my favorites). All of my movies and music are stored on a NAS that each computer on the network has access to.
A: Mapping iTunes Music Folders
The first thing we need to do is point each computer’s iTunes music folder to the same location. There are two different methods for this. If you have an NAS (Networked storage drive) follow procedure 1, if you are going to use one computer as the host (a server or tower that’s always on) follow procedure 2.
Procedure 1:
- iTunes > Preferences
- Go to the “Advanced” tab
- Click the “General” tab
- Under the “iTunes Music Folder Location” click the “Change” button
- Navigate to your NAS and create a folder called “Music”
- Click “Open”
- Click “OK” — you should now be back at a normal iTunes window
- Complete this on each computer. So in my case I did this with the Mac mini and the Macbook Air. When you have completed this procedure on each computer, move on to the next step – “B: Universal Library Setup”
Procedure 2:
Go to the computer that’s going to act as the music host (the one that will be sharing your music to all of your other computers). We are going to leave the iTunes music folder in the default location on this computer, but share it on the network so all of the other computers can see it.
- Go to Applications > System Preferences
- Click “Sharing” under the “Internet & Networking” section
- Click the check box next to “File Sharing”
- Under the “Shared Folders” section, click the plus arrow
- Navigate to your iTunes Music folder: HD > Users > Your Username > Music > iTunes > iTunes Music
- Click “Add”
- Close System Preferences. You’re done on this computer for now.
- Now go to a computer that is going to be streaming music from this one and continue to procedure directly below.
To stream music from the host computer to other computers:
- Go to a client machine.
- Open iTunes > Preferences
- Go to the “Advanced” tab
- Click the “General” tab
- Under the “iTunes Music Folder Location” click the “Change” button
- Navigate to the iTunes music folder we just shared from the host computer
- Click “Open”
- Click “OK” — you should now be back at a normal iTunes window
- Complete this on each computer. So in my case I did this with the Mac mini and the Macbook Air. When you have completed this procedure on each computer, move on to the next step –”Universal Library Setup”
At this point, all of your computers are accessing the same music library. Now all we have to do is make sure all the computers are accessing the same master index. Onward, to the universal library setup!
B: Universal Library Setup
At this point, both computers are accessing music from the same folder. Now we are going to make them access the same index file and album artwork. Once again, there are two different methods for this. If you have an NAS (Networked storage drive) follow procedure 1, if you are going to use one computer as the host (a server or tower that’s always on) follow procedure 2.
Procedure 1:
- Now we are ready to point our iTunes index to our LAN. While holding option, double click on your iTunes icon.
- A “Choose your library” window will pop up. Select “Create Library.”
- A window will pop up. Under “Where” select your a location on your NAS from the pulldown. Save as: “iTunes1″. iTunes will Launch. Close it.
- We’re done on this computer.
- Now go to a client computer and continue to “The client machine” below
Procedure 2:
Go to the computer that’s going to act as the music host (the one that will be sharing your music to all of your other computers). We are going to leave the iTunes index XML file in the default location on this computer, but share it on the network so all of the other computers can see it.
- Go to Applications > System Preferences
- Click “Sharing” under the “Internet & Networking” section
- Click the check box next to “File Sharing”
- Under the “Shared Folders” section, click the plus arrow
- Navigate to your iTunes folder where the XML file is stored: HD > Users > Your Username > Music > iTunes
- Click “Add”
- Close System Preferences. You’re done on this computer for now.
- Now go to a computer that is going to be streaming music from this one and continue to the procedure directly below.
The client machine:
- We are ready to point our iTunes to the shared index. While holding option, double click on your iTunes icon.
- A “Choose your library” window will pop up. Select “Choose Library.”
- A window will pop up. Navigate to the iTunes index XML file just set up on the NAS or shared from our host computer. You should see a folder called “iTunes1″. Open it.
- iTunes will Launch. Close it. We’re done on this computer. Repeat this procedure on all other client machines.
You’re now ready to roll. Simply add music to any computer you want, making sure iTunes is closed on all other computers, then when you are done adding your tunes, close iTunes and wait for Dropbox to upload your files. Once Dropbox is done uploading your updated library XML files, fire up iTunes on another computer and you will see your freshly added tunes. Enjoy!
NOTE: All the software mentioned is cross platform, so this method will work on your Windows machines as well!
Tweet This (22)
Adam on October 13th, 2008 at 9:12 am
So why store the music library on your local network, and your index on Dropbox? Why not store everything on your local network?
Theo on October 13th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Great timing, I’m about to do the exact same thing.
Why did you choose to use Dropbox, rather than creating a share on the host machine and point all the client machines to use that?
Jose on October 13th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Is the index format created by iTunes running on a Mac the same as the index created on a Windows Machine? In other words, Can I use an iTunes index created on a Mac to run the Windows Machine iTunes library?
Thanks
f. on October 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I don’t understand why using Dropbox… I have this setup, with the index on the LAN too.
Tuomo on October 13th, 2008 at 10:35 am
I have the all my music on an USB disc attached to a Time Capsule. Every few days I copy the “Itunes”-folder of the main (ripping) Mac to all the “client” Macs. IPods will be synced with the main Mac.
DJFelix on October 13th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Very interesting!
Could you just as easily use an iDisk or the local network?
I’m actually quite surprised that Apple hasn’t brought out a device that will let you load all of your music into one central location that can feed your iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, Mac, PC …. Sure you can share your library, but you can’t load music onto your iPod from a shared library … at least not without 3rd party software.
Jenny Kortina on October 13th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Yeah you can store your library XML file on the LAN too. I originally set it up using DropBox b/c I thought it might merge changes, instead of just overwriting with the newest copy. I’ll make some changes to the article though, thanks.
Brian on October 13th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I’m running Boot Camp on my MacBook Pro with Windows XP- Is there a way that I can access and run iTunes on the XP side with my library from OSX?
Ricki on October 13th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Beware!
I have been running a setup up where 3 computers and an AppleTv is using the same library situated on a network drive.
My girlfriend, the AppleTv and me accidently tried writing to library at the same time. It messed up the entire disks index file and only disk warrior could save it.
It sucks, sucks, sucks that we can not easily maintain a shared library in the same household without breaking the DRM…..so darling who’s 9 Gig music library is allowed to live on the appleTv this week.
Also each week I have to delete a ****load of XML’s called “previous iTunes Library xx-xx-xx” for each time some comp tried writing a new version of the iTunes library.
An iTunes music collection should not be limited to one person. The same way my girlfriend can use my cd’s on the stereo, she should be able to listen to my mp3’s on our mutal computer/appletv.
Sorry about the rant, just bought noteburner and plan to free our music!
lovely45 on October 13th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
thanks for the heads up on good video sites in this article as well — liking http://snackfeed.com
Dr Macenstein on October 13th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Awesome tutorial, thanks!
Jay on October 14th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I must be doing something wrong cause when I get to the section:
“Navigate to the iTunes music folder we just shared from the host computer” I can’t see it in the list!
Andy on October 15th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Whoa – Dropbox just comes out of nowhere in this article. I have it and use it, but can you clear up how exactly you are using it to update the iTunes XML files?
And I’d love to hear how you do iPhone syncing. Since the contacts, calendars, photos are not included in the iTunes Library, how is it possible to sync from any computer on the network as you say?
entica on October 20th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Whenever I open iTunes on one of the “client” machines, I get “Cannot write to this library” error message (or something to that effect). I’ve set everything as wide-open as possible, guest and registered users have read/write access to the music folder and the itunes library folder. It’s shared properly and I even ran a permissions repair on the disk. Still, no matter what I do, I can’t get any client machines to actually write to the shared library. It doesn’t matter if I’m remotely connected as “Guest” or as the administrator on the server.
Any idea? Thanks.
Dwain Willis on July 21st, 2009 at 8:42 am
When choosing the library, ensure that you do not have that library already opened on another machine. Quit ALL instances of iTunes on all machines except the one you are trying to map to.
Damon on October 31st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Ditto the comment #13…please explain more fully how to do this with DropBox. I know how to use Dropbox I just don’t understand what iTunes files would go into it. The music files AND the library files? Or would the music files be on all the computers separately and just sharing the library xml files? If the latter, I do not see where there is an option in iTunes which allows one to independently select the locations of the respective music libraries and index libraries. Or maybe I am missing something.
Thanks.
Dietrich on November 1st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I have an old iMac connected to an external hard-drive that has my main iTunes library. In addition, I have a MacBookPro with a different iTunes library.
I tried the method described above (Procedure 2 that uses my iMac as the host computer) with the modification that I am pointing to my external hard-drive which is attached to my iMac.
But it’s not working. Is there something that I am missing?
Help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Dietrich
Help!! on November 21st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Do you guys think it works well or are there to many downsides?
I’m planning on putting my itunes and iphoto library on my time capsule and let time machine backup on the drive connected to time capsule. You guys think it will work?
or do you have some suggestions, always want to learn more…
yaalag on November 26th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
This works really well! I have the same thing set-up in my house and once the library and index is setup on the network drive, you can add any computer very easily.
Installing itunes, then delete the created library and when starting up, after the error message point it to the network drive and chnge the preffs for the index file.
I have added cheapo older windows notebook around the house, connecting to stereo’s in the room and connected to the network wirelessly.
The children, my office, the kitchen anywhere we share our music and play it the same time.
only point is still that only one machine can update it while other itunes apps are closed.
Peter on January 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 am
RE: #14
I am having the same problem as the person in post #14. I have successfully set this up with my MacBook Pro as a Client (old PowerMac G4 is the Server). I am trying to set up my wife’s New MacBook Air and I am getting an error message when I try to choose the iTunes xml library on the Server. It says I do not have permission. I am connected to the server as the Administrator.
Has anyone been able to resolve this issue?
Thank you,
Peter
Ugo on January 8th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Worked for me with the following setup
- iTunes (media, database files, artwork, mobile applications) on ReadyNAS Duo
- Client 1 (PowerMac, Tiger 10.4.11, iTunes 8.0.2)
- Client 2 (MacBook, Leopard 10.5.6, iTunes 8.0.2)
I can see the same library from both clients. I can add songs from both clients.
Didn’t try yet to sync iPhone on client 2 (since I want first understand what will happen with Calendar sync).
Thanks
Ugo
Arun Venkatesan on August 22nd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
sync all your calendars to gmail and that should help with calendar sync
Scott on January 9th, 2009 at 6:41 am
This is a great setup if you have multiple machines but one user. My setup has two users, each of whom have different music tastes, so we want different playlists, and we want to keep different music in our libraries. But we also like some of the same songs, and don’t want to keep them twice, and I want to back up the music. So our setup is similar:
– Media files on a media server
– 2 machines, each with their own local libraries, but with the iTunes preference set to use the network server as the library location. This preference is under “Advanced,” at the top (iTunes Music folder location).
Now our music syncs to our iPhones, and we can set up our own playlists without stomping all over each other.
Scott S on July 8th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Scott (Jan 9th)… I am very interested in your set up… I moved my library to an external drive and would like a second user (my wife) to be able to access the same music library… Any chance you can supply me with a little more specific info re: your set up and the steps took to get there?
SteveK on August 31st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Wow – this is exactly what I want to do. I have a Windows environment with a AD server. On teh server is a shared folder with ALL the iTunes music. I want to have a shared library as well as 2 or 3 personal libraries. Can you please provide in depth instructions on how to accomplish this.
Thanks so much in advance.
Craig on January 29th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Using this setup, can two computers both be using iTunes at the same time?
Julian Bond on February 17th, 2009 at 2:04 am
Just Say No To DRM and copyright restrictions and you wouldn’t have all this trouble.
Shailesh on February 19th, 2009 at 6:57 am
In your steps:
Now we are ready to point our iTunes index to our LAN. While holding option, double click on your iTunes icon.
A “Choose your library” window will pop up. Select “Choose Library.”
If I’m using iTunes for Windows, how do you start iTunes so you get the choose your library prompt? — Since there is no option key to hold while starting iTunes.
Face on August 3rd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
you hold down Shift key when double clocking the itunes icon. you may need to try it twice for it to prompt you.
sheila on February 25th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
can i still do this procedure without a mac? I have a dell inspiron 1521
Marshall on March 10th, 2009 at 3:56 am
I’m getting the same permissions problems as posts #14 and #19. All permissions/sharing settings are open on the host machine. iTunes is closed on it, and I’ve restarted it on the client. I can access all the music but keep getting an iTunes error message on the client that says “The iTunes Library file cannot be saved. You do not have enough access privileges for this operation.”
Has any figured out why this might be the case?
Pete on March 14th, 2009 at 5:26 am
I am having the same permissions problem as posts #14, #19, and #26. Perhaps it has something to do with this drop box? As someone above said, it comes out of nowhere in this article and I’ve never used it.
Please explain if you can – if this really does work it will be a huge help.
Eric on March 14th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
2009-03-14
Hi, I tried the setup mentionned above but it’s nok working… I think I know why it’s not working but don’t know how to solve this…
On my iMac (the one that holds all my CDs), in the Library XML file, the path of each file looks like this: file://localhost/HD/Music(…). So on my “client machine” (and old G4), I’m able to “see” all the songs but when I want to listen, I can’t. Of course, the XML file tells iTunes to look on localhost for the songs…
Is there a work around to solve this ? Because I want iTunes to work on both Mac’s, iMac and my old G4.
parkersweb on March 17th, 2009 at 4:06 am
@Shailesh – hold the shift key and double click the iTunes desktop icon
drew on March 21st, 2009 at 9:40 am
I’m pretty sure the drop box comment came from an earlier revision of the article (comment #7). They probably just forgot to take out the reference to it.
JT on March 21st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Does anyone know how to do this with a mixture of mac and windows pc’s? I’m using my macbook as the main computer but can’t get my wifes dell pc to access it as it can’t see the xml file.
UV-Birke on March 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Actually there is a better way to do this:
Assumption: You have one computer where you started/built yolur iTunes library and are now moving to a server/NAS with several computers accessing it.
1) Put the “iTunes Music” folder containing the music itself from the original computer on your NAS/server.
2) Put an alias of this folder into the original computers Music/iTunes folder replacing the “real” one.
3) Repeat step 1 and 2 with your “Album Art”, “iPod Games”, “Mobile Apps” and “Previous iTunes Libraries folders” if you have them.
4) Repeat step 2 and 3 for every computer that should have full access to the iTunes library.
5) Buy/try and install Syncopation on every computer accessing the library. Subscribe to the original computers iTunes library on every computer. Make shure to check “Automatically syncronize with remote libraries”, “Automatically delete tracks from remote libraries” and “Import tracks without copying”.
6) Sync the libraries on all computers. This should happen very fast.
7) Subscribe to every computers library with every computer.
Voila, now you can use iTunes simultaneously on every computer in the network and even modify the library from every computer, instantaneously updating it on the other computers.
Chris on August 5th, 2009 at 10:16 am
@UV-Birke
Sounds promising.
Is there any danger of corrupting files using this approach? Or does syncopation assure that no two computers are writing to any given file at the same time?
Max on March 24th, 2009 at 9:32 am
You can do this a whole lot easier with Echodio. I’m using the beta version to sync my home media server and me and my girlfriends laptop and it’s working flawlessly. The only catch is that it’s MacOS only for now so I can’t sync my work machine. Use the TC/DC invite code instead of accelerator it gives you 5GB instead of 1GB.
Computer Rental Company on March 25th, 2009 at 2:46 am
Great Tip!
Your blog was really helpful.I was hoping that it can also be integrated with the Windows OS knowing that a lot of computer users are using Windows on their computer system.
Mark on April 4th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I use this setup storing my music on an AirDisk. My setup includes a macbook and a mac pro and I want to be able to share the same music on both computers supporting the ability for both computers to run itunes at the same time, two different people. The only way I have found to do this is to have two itunes folders that contain the itunes library (itunes library.xml) or more, one per user that wants to simultaneously access the library. The benefit of doing this is to be able to avoid needing to constantly synch music files to multiple locations, each user can maintain their own play lists. The downside is that when new music is added to one library it is not automatically added to the other libraries, this has to be done manually. With a little tinkering I bet I will be able to figure out how to automagically synch the two itunes library xml files, that would keep both perfectly in synch while allowing multiple users to simultaneously access them.
Dan Schneck on May 18th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Great tutorial – thanks for your efforts and willingness to share!
Niall Smart on May 20th, 2009 at 11:42 am
This is all very complicated :) We’ve built Echodio specifically to solve this problem – it work just like DropBox, and easily syncs your playlists, tracks, ratings and metadata across multiple iTunes libraries – and for peace of mind keeps a backup in cloud storage. We also have support for streaming from the cloud to Boxee, so you’ve the same music collection everywhere.
Right now, we’re in beta, so it’s free to use. See http://www.echodio.com to signup!
Kevin on June 12th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I would love to figure out how to have the itunes library open on multiple machines at once.
Echodido – Mac only, limited storage space, and only syncs one playlist. I want my entire library synced on both machines.
Syncopation – Again, Mac only. Looks promising, but I use PCs.
Jason on July 28th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Try SuperSync
http://www.supersync.com
tilman on August 9th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Hi,
I tried this with Apple iDisk and it worked. Cool Tipps, thanks a lot! I also tried using my Timemachine Airport Extreme Backup Volume (over Network) and here I just copied my local iTunes Forder (and all media files) to it. This woked, too. So what I ask myself: is it really necessary to go the way that is described here regarding creating a new xml and folder etc? isn’t it the same if you copy all your itunes data to the NAS/iDisk and the option start iTunes, let it scan and correct the paths and it works from different computers – as long as you don’t access the file from 2 computers at the same time?
Tilman
Steve in Seattle on September 26th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Awesome post. I have been able to share my library easily with XP but Windows 7 was not letting iTunes default to the network share I have always had my library shared out on, it insisted on keeping the library files on the local hard drive even though I used the Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> iTunes Folder Location setting to point to my network share. That’s all I needed to do with XP at least. Your client setup tip on how to point iTunes to the the library file did the trick. THANK YOU!!!
Dan in London on November 5th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Guys, I’m trying to set this up but on windows.
I get as far as “select option and double click itunes”. Obviously this is a MAC function. What is the function for windows? And how to you point itunes to the .itl file?
Cheers,
Dan
Steve in Seattle on November 5th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Use the key on a Windows machine where you see instructions to use the key. Also, be sure to hold the key while double clicking on the actual program icon, not a shortcut. (Find the acutal program icon here: Start button -> All Programs -> iTunes -> iTunes)
Steve in Seattle on November 5th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Aaaah foo. I used special characters before and after the words Shift and Option in my reply above. Here, this should be more clear. My apologies.
Use the Shift key on a Windows machine where you see instructions to use the Option key. Also, be sure to hold the Shift key while double clicking on the actual program icon, not a shortcut. (Find the actual program icon here: Start button -> All Programs -> iTunes -> iTunes)
bins on November 8th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Great tips!
I have the NAS sharing (Time Capsule, iTunes 9.0.2, Snow Leopard) configured, but every time I switch computers and start iTunes I get Updating iTunes Library which takes quite some time (45 min or more with 100Gb music)…
Any suggestions to speed this up or stop this from happening?
Mike on November 8th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I am having the same problem as bins. All my music is on my Mac Mini, and I’m connecting to it with a Windows 7 laptop. Everytime I switch computers it rebuilds the library. Also, whenever I go back to iTunes on the Mini I don’t have permissions to the “iTunes Library” file. My user has been taken away, and there is a user “nobody” that has the only read/write access. I can re-add myself to the file, but then iTunes still does the “Updating iTunes Library” thing.
Any suggestions?
Chris on November 9th, 2009 at 11:23 am
I am using Windows 7 and iTunes 9. I have a desktop with two logon’s mine and my wife’s. Additionally I have a notebook with a universal log on. My music is all on one shared folder on my Windows Home Server. I have successfully mapped iTunes to the server folder with the music; and the iTunes library to the library file on the server. So, it all works great with my desktop logon. However, when I log off iTunes and log into my wife’s account or the notebook’s account and attempt to point iTunes to the library file on the server it states that the file is locked or that I don’t have permission to use it. Is this something with iTunes 9? Any suggestions. I’ve tried to troubleshoot for hours now.
Steve in Seattle on November 9th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Sounds like a windows file permissions problem to me. On your server, try giving the other user accounts that access that folder “Full Control” permissions:
1.) On the iTunes folder on your server, right click, choose “Properties”
2.) Click on the “Security” tab
3.) Click the “Advanced” button.
4.) Click the “Edit” button, then the “Add” button.
5.) Enter individual users you want to have access and click the “OK” button. You didn’t mention if your Windows Home Server is a domain controller or not. If it is, you might just make sure the group “Domain Users” (no quotes) has “Full Control” permissions, this may be all you need to change rather than list the individual users.
6.) In the “Permission Entry for iTuenes” window, click the “Full Control” box under the “Allow” column.
7.) Click “OK” on each window to close them all out.
8.) Try to access iTunes from your other user accounts. You may have to log out and back in, but I doubt it.