Transferring iTunes library to different Mac

[macstatic]

I have two Macs and want to transfer my entire iTunes library from one of them to the other. I've spent considerable time organizing and tagging my files, otherwise I'd just take the audio/video files themselves and drag/drop into the target Mac. But if possible I'd like to keep all that information along with the media files.

The target Mac already has an iTunes library, so it'll be a matter of adding to it, not overwriting or creating a new library.

I tried to export (File-Library-Export library) but that only created a "library.xml" file which I assume contains the tagging and organization, so for the files, should I manually copy them over to the iTunes media folder, which the library then will "hook up" with afterwards?
I'm using iTunes 12.6 on OSX 10.9.5 (same for both computers).

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Just copy the iTunes media folder over manually.

 

[macstatic]

You mean copy all the new sub-folders from the source Mac over to the target Mac, then import (File-Add to Library) the previously exported "library.xml" into the target Mac's itunes in order to "link" all the new media files correctly?

 

[thebearmaster]

I haven't had the need to merge libraries as you described, but if you can import the track data from the 'library.xml' file you created, I think you could have the music files copied over to your target iTunes Library folder by choosing the 'Consolidate Library' menu item, then remove the exported files.