Can I sync iTunes pc to MBP M1?

[Fred Zed]

Is it possible to sync my iTunes from my PC to my MBP pro M1. When I connect it to my PC it doesn’t recognize or even prompt me to authorize it. Cheers

 

[chabig]

On the PC, sign into iTunes with the same AppleID that you use for Music on the Mac. It should automatically sync.

 

[Fred Zed]

On the PC, sign into iTunes with the same AppleID that you use for Music on the Mac. It should automatically sync.

Yes, Ive synced my iPhone with my PC many times . When connecting the MacBook nothing happens

 

[chabig]

I don't think sync happens over a wire. With iCloud it happens over the internet. I would expect you'd see the same library on both machines if they are signed into the same iCloud account.

Use Sync Library with your Apple Music subscription - Apple Support

Use Sync Library to stream your music library on any device that's signed in to the Apple Music app with the Apple ID that you use with your Apple Music subscription. Learn what you need to use Sync Library and how to turn it on.

support.apple.com

 

[Fred Zed]

I don't think sync happens over a wire. With iCloud it happens over the internet. I would expect you'd see the same library on both machines if they are signed into the same iCloud account.

Use Sync Library with your Apple Music subscription - Apple Support

Use Sync Library to stream your music library on any device that's signed in to the Apple Music app with the Apple ID that you use with your Apple Music subscription. Learn what you need to use Sync Library and how to turn it on.

support.apple.com

I have two folders on my Windows PC one contains photos and the other contains music. I sync them using wired method to my iPhone already. I was hoping to be able to do the same with the MBP. cheers

 

[stylinexpat]

I wondered if with new M1 it would be better. Currently syncing on non M1 seems to be quite troublesome as I can’t sync between iPhone,iPad Pro and my MacBook Pro with option to choose which contacts from particular device are used during sync to update new contacts amongst both devices. Same goes for Photos but in particular the contacts sync is an issue.

 

[Longkeg]

I’ve never heard of two computers “syncing” iTunes. Copying libraries perhaps but syncing?

In the beginning the Mac was the “mothership” and the iPod was the “shuttle” (think Star Trek). The content (first music, later video) was stored on and playlists were edited on the Mac and then uploaded to the pod so you would have all your entertainment in your pocket. That was when iTunes was in its “buy and download” phase.

As iOS devices gained more functionality the whole concept of “syncing” became irrelevant to most people who preferred to download content directly to their iPhones. Then came iTunes in the cloud and the content isn’t really on your device anyway.

So what is it you’re trying to do exactly? How are you connecting the PC to the Mac?

 

[Fred Zed]

I’ve never heard of two computers “syncing” iTunes. Copying libraries perhaps but syncing?

In the beginning the Mac was the “mothership” and the iPod was the “shuttle” (think Star Trek). The content (first music, later video) was stored on and playlists were edited on the Mac and then uploaded to the pod so you would have all your entertainment in your pocket. That was when iTunes was in its “buy and download” phase.

As iOS devices gained more functionality the whole concept of “syncing” became irrelevant to most people who preferred to download content directly to their iPhones. Then came iTunes in the cloud and the content isn’t really on your device anyway.

So what is it you’re trying to do exactly? How are you connecting the PC to the Mac?

Not sure who you’re referencing but in regards to your last paragraph. I originally wanted to sync or copy my iTunes photos and music archives from my windows pc to my MacBook. Similar to how I did it with iPhone. I later discovered it wasn’t possible.

 

[Longkeg]

So it’s primarily a question of terminology. Words mean things. Using the wrong word(s), especially on these forums, can get you into more trouble than when you started.

Syncing only works (in this iTunes case) from higher to lower. The computer is considered dominant, the iPhone is lower. Therefore you can only sync from the computer to the iPhone.

You want to migrate your existing libraries (photos has nothing to do with iTunes, it has its own photos app) to your new M1. If you search the correct terms you’ll find a solution. Here’s the first Google hit when I searched “migrate iTunes library pc to Mac”

Move an iTunes library from a Windows PC to a Mac

Finally making the switch from PC to Mac? Or just want to duplicate your Windows iTunes library in OS X? Kirk McElhearn shows you how to do it.

www.macworld.com

It’s 10 years old and no doubt out of date but it should be enough to put you on the right path.