Sharing iTunes in OS X

[Cardy]

I've been trying to sort this with no luck. I have two users on my MacBook and want to share my itunes library. I dragged the itunes folder into her drop box but it won't allow her to access it.

Can anyone help?

 

[72930]

iTunes->iTunes Preferences->Sharing

 

[Cardy]

Sharing is on, it doesn't work.

 

[72930]

Make sure the other computer is set in iTunes to check for shared libraries...

 

[Cardy]

Yes, it is the same computer by the way. Both are set to look for, and to share libraries.

 

[Cardy]

Ignore that, it does work. But it only streams them, how can I actually put the tracks into her library?

 

[72930]

Ignore that, it does work. But it only streams them, how can I actually put the tracks into her library?

If the iTunes library is quite big, I recommend connecting the Macs by FireWire, Ethernet or using an external hard disk to transfer the music.

 

[Cardy]

It's the same Mac. It's not that big a library, about 5gb, but I don't want to have to put another 5gb on my computer, as space is already at a premium.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

This is one of the most frequently asked questions here at the forums, please, please, search or at least browse a little before posting you question(s).


Now, you could always try Apple's approach: iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

 

[Cardy]

I've browsed the forum, and I've just tried the instructions in the link......and nothing works.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

and nothing works.

What do you mean "nothing works"?

Did you try both of this, already?

1. Quit iTunes.
2. Locate your iTunes Music Folder. It is stored by default:
~/Music/iTunes or ~/Documents/iTunes/.

These folders cannot be accessed by other accounts on the computer. In order for other users to be able to access your music, you must move it to a publicly accessible location.

The Public folder in your home directory (~/Public), or to another folder outside your home directory that other users have access to, such as /Users/Shared. Tip: The tilde "~" refers to your home folder. For more information see Mac OS X: Using Your Home Directory.
3. Drag the iTunes Music Folder to a publicly accessible location. Important: Do not move the iTunes folder, the iTunes 4 Music Library file or the iTunes Library.xml file.
4. Open iTunes.
5. From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.
6. Click Advanced.
7. Click the Change button.
8. Navigate in the Change Music Folder Location dialog to the location of your iTunes Music folder.
9. Click Choose.

Repeat these steps for each account that is sharing music with other users.

Note: If multiple users of a computer are storing music in one folder, duplicate song files are generated when a user imports music from CD that has already been imported by another user.

See the "To listen to another account's music files" section below.

and

To listen to another account's music files:

1. Open iTunes.
2. From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.
3. Click Advanced.
4. Deselect the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library file" option.
5. Click OK.
6. From the File menu, choose Add File to Library. Note: Windows users can also choose Add Folder to Library to add a folder of songs.
7. Navigate in the Add File To Library window to the location where the other user's music is saved (the iTunes Music folder in the case above).
8. Click Open.

Repeat these steps for each account that is listening to shared music.

When another user of the computer has imported new music from CD, repeat steps 6 through 8 to add the music to your library.

 

[Cardy]

Thank you Mitt, all up and running now.