How Do I Transfer Itunes to a New Pc

What to Know

• Easiest way: Use software such as CopyTrans to copy an iPod or iPhone's contents to a computer.
• Or, back up your iTunes library to an external hard drive, then restore the iTunes backup from the external drive to the new computer.
• Or, use Migration Assistant to copy over your old Mac's entire contents, including the iTunes library.

This article explains how to transfer your iTunes library to a new computer. Techniques include using a software application to transfer your iPod or iPhone music onto a new computer, using an external hard drive, using the iTunes backup feature, using the Migration Assistant, or using Apple iTunes Match. Instructions apply to macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and earlier. Apple discontinued iTunes in macOS 10.15 (Catalina)

Use Copy or Backup Software

The easiest way to transfer an iTunes library is to use software to copy your iPod or iPhone to a new computer. This method only works if your entire library fits on your device.

The exact procedure will differ depending on which software you use, but this is generally how it works:

1. Download and install the backup and transfer software to the new computer.

2. Sync your device to iTunes on the old computer to copy the most recent version of the library.

3. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the new computer, but don't sync it.

4. Use the software to copy the contents of your iOS device to your new computer.

Use an External Hard Drive

External hard drives offer more storage capacity for lower prices than ever before. You can get a large external hard drive at an affordable price. These drives provide another simple option to move your iTunes library to a new computer, especially if you have more content than will fit on 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.

1. Back up your iTunes library onto the external hard drive.

2. Disconnect the external hard drive from the computer.

3. Connect the external hard drive to the new computer you want to transfer the iTunes library to.

4. 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. You can also use a backup utility program to modify this process. For example, you can use them to only back up new files. Once you have this backup, copy it to your new computer or your old one, if you have a crash.

This technique isn't the same as storing and using your main iTunes library on an external hard drive, though it's a useful technique for very large libraries.

Use iTunes Backup Feature

This method backs up your full library (with the exception of audiobooks from Audible.com) to CD or DVD. All you need are blank discs and some time.

This option is available in iTunes 7 through iTunes 10.3.

1. Open iTunes.

2. Go to File > Library > Back Up to Disc.

   In iTunes 7, go to File > Back Up to Disc.

3. Select which information you want to transfer to discs. Your options are Back Up entire iTunes library and playlistsand Back Up only iTunes Store purchases.

4. Click Back Up.

5. Insert a blank CD or DVD into your computer's CD drive. The backup will continue until the disc is full, then you'll need to swap it for a new one.

6. On your new computer, restore the library from the discs. Insert one disc until its contents transfer, then insert the next one.

If you have a large library or a CD burner rather than a DVD burner, this process will take many discs (one CD holds about 700 MB, so a 15 GB iTunes library will require more than 10 CDs). This may not be the most efficient way to back up, since you may already have hard copies of the CDs in your library.

If you have a DVD burner, this will make more sense, as a DVD can hold the equivalent of nearly 7 CDs, that same 15 GB library will only require 3 or 4 DVDs.

With a CD burner, choose the option to only back up iTunes Store purchases or make incremental backups (backing up only new content since your last backup).

Use Migration Assistant

On a Mac, the easiest way to transfer an iTunes library to a new computer is to use the Migration Assistant tool. Migration Assistant attempts to re-create your old computer on the new one by moving data, settings, and other files. It transfers most files well and will save you a lot of time.

The Mac OS Setup Assistant offers this option as you set up a new computer. If you don't choose it then, you use it later by finding Migration Assistant in the Application folder, which is in the Utilities folder.

You'll need a Firewire or Thunderbolt cable (depending on your Mac) to connect the two computers. Once you've done that, restart the old computer and hold the T key. You'll see it restart and display a Firewire or Thunderbolt icon on the screen. Once you see this, run Migration Assistant on the new computer, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Use iTunes Match

While it's not the speediest way to transfer your iTunes library, and won't transfer all types of media, Apple iTunes Match is a solid option to move music to a new computer.

This method doesn't transfer videos, apps, books, or playlists.

To use it, follow these steps:

1. Subscribe to iTunes Match.

2. Your library syncs to your iCloud account, and uploads the unmatched songs.

   Expect to spend an hour or two on this step, depending on how many songs you need to upload.

3. When that's complete, go to your new computer, sign in to your iCloud account, and open iTunes.

4. Click the Store menu.

5. Click Turn on iTunes Match.

6. A listing of the music in your iCloud account downloads to your new iTunes library.

   Your music won't download until the next step.

7. Follow the instructions for downloading a large number of songs from iTunes Match.

The size of your library determines how long it will take to download your library. Expect to spend a few hours here, too. Songs will download with their metadata intact, for example, album art, play counts, and star ratings.

Given its limitations, the iTunes Match method of transferring iTunes libraries is best only for people who have a basic library of music and don't need to transfer anything besides that. If that's you, it's a simple and relatively foolproof option.

Use iCloud Music Library

The Apple iCloud storage system keeps your content in the cloud so that transferring it is as easy as signing in. It keeps track of the songs, TV shows, and movies you have licenses for since that takes up less space. But the end result is the same: If you get a new computer, you only have to sign in to your Apple ID to access the media you purchased.

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How Do I Transfer Itunes to a New Pc

Source: https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-transfer-itunes-library-new-computer-1999545

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