Take the 2-minute tour ×

How can I move my iTunes library including the meta-data to a new machine of mine.

Both are running OSX 10.6.5.


I unfortunately did not use the default folders for my music directory.

share|improve this question
By copying it? Mount it over the network and copy the iTunes folder via the Finder. Is there something I don't understand about your question? –  bahamat Jan 2 '11 at 0:52
NReilingh's answer is the best you can get for that little information you provide. More details might give a better answer. –  Daniel Beck Jan 2 '11 at 8:24

3 Answers 3

In order to bring your music to the default folders, do this:

On your existing machine, go to File -> Library -> Organize Library... and choose Consolidate files. This will copy all of your music to ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music in your Home directory.

The metadata is all stored inside ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml

The most seamless way I can envision this is just by replacing the ~/Music/iTunes folder on your new machine with the one from your old one. Then you'll be getting all of your music, which should now be in ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music as well as the metadata in ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml

share|improve this answer

If you used the default folders for the music and the library, a copy paste should do it, the meta-data is in a xml file on the iTunes main library folder, just make sure both itunes are the same version, and the new iTunes will have the exact same everything as the old one.

share|improve this answer

If you're on a mac, simplest way: echodio + dropbox. Go with 1 GB per time, or so.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer


