Best Ways to Transfer iTunes Library to New Computer Seamlessly

By Adam Gorden Posted on July 4, 2023

transfer itunes library to new computer

Moving to a new computer is an exciting venture, but the thought of transferring your precious iTunes library may bring about some uncertainty. Whether you're upgrading your hardware or switching platforms, preserving your carefully curated music collection, playlists, and metadata is paramount.

In this guide, we'll explore the methods and considerations for seamlessly transferring your iTunes library to a new computer, ensuring that your favorite tunes accompany you on your digital journey. Say goodbye to the worries of lost tracks and metadata mishaps, and let's embark on a smooth transition to your new musical haven.

If you wish to transfer your music to a new Apple ID, check another post:

transfer apple music to another id
How to Transfer Music from One Apple ID to Another

Have no idea on how to transfer music from one apple ID to another? Check out this article, you'll learn the best way to transfer music to new apple ID. And you might as well want to stream Apple Music songs offline without a subscription.

Part 1. Copy iTunes Library to New Computer Manually

To transfer your iTunes library to a new computer manually, you basically need to locate, consolidate, and copy the necessary iTunes library files manually, which can be time-consuming. Once you get all the necessary files, you can transfer it to your new computer easily by using various transferring methods.

Pros
Ensures complete control over what files are transferred and how they are organized on the new computer.
Doesn't require an Apple Music subscription. No limits on the cloud storage.
Cons
Time-consuming, especially for larger libraries.
Requires extra effort on file management.
May causes potential errors in the manual process.
No automatic syncing.

Consolidating your iTunes library ensures that your media files are organized and copied into the iTunes Media folder, making easier to transfer them to the new computer. If you don't mind investing time in manually consolidating and copying files, you can try this manual method by following these steps properly:

Consolidating your iTunes library files:

  1. On your Windows or macOS Mojave or earlier, open the iTunes app.
  2. To consolidate files, click File > Library > Organize Library.
  3. itunes file library organize library

  4. Check the box nest to "Consolidate files".
  5. itunes consolidate files

  6. Click OK. iTunes will then copy all your media files into the iTunes Media folder.
  7. After consolidating your library, the iTunes Media folder are organized and ready for transfer.
  8. To find the iTunes Media folder, go to the following location on your Windows or macOS:
  9. On macOS: /Users/YourUsername/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media.

    On Windows: C:\Users\YourUsername\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media.

  10. Locate the consolidated iTunes library files, including the iTunes Library.itl file, iTunes Music Library.xml file (optional), and the iTunes Media folder.
  11. itunes consolidated files

Transferring your iTunes library files:

  1. Copy these files and the iTunes Media folder to an external drive, USB, or network location.
  2. On your new computer, ensure to install iTunes.
  3. Now transfer the copied iTunes library files and the iTunes Media folder to the appropriate location on your new computer's iTunes folder, which is the same as the location mentioned earlier when consolidating your iTunes library.
  4. Launch iTunes on your new computer, and it should recognize the transferred library and display your music, playlists, and other content.
  5. You may also need to authorize your computer to listen to your music. Click on Account > Authorization > Authorize This Computer, and enter your Apple ID and password, then click Authorize.

Part 2. Sync iTunes Library to New Computer Automatically

If you have an active subscription to Apple Music or iCloud and have been using iCloud Music Library, you can use it to sync your entire iTunes library to a new computer. iCloud Music Library allows you to access your music library across multiple devices, including transferring it to a new computer.

Pros
Keeps your iTunes library in sync across all devices signed in to the same Apple ID, not just the new computer.
Changes made on one device will reflect on others.
Automatic syncing.
Offers additional features like streaming music from cloud.
Cons
Requires Apple Music subscription or iCloud subscription.
Limited cloud storage. May limit the total size of your library that can be synced.
May causes possible syncing issues.
May result in longer transfer times due to the sync of your library and internet connections.

If convenience, automation, and seamless syncing across devices are important to you, using iCloud Music Library may be the preferred option. If you have an eligible subscription, you can try this automatic method by following these steps accordingly:

Enabling iCloud Music Library:

  1. On your new computer, ensure to install iTunes, and make sure you are signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on both your old and new computers.
  2. On your new computer, open iTunes and click Account > Authorization > Authorize This Computer, and enter your Apple ID and password to authorize your new computer.
  3. On your old computer, open iTunes and click Edit (Windows) or iTunes (macOS) > Preferences > General, and check the box next to "iCloud Music Library".
  4. itunes general preferences icloud music library selected

  5. Click OK to enable it. This will upload your iTunes library to iCloud.
  6. Now wait until iCloud Music Library sync your library from the cloud to your new computer. If you have a large library, more patience is needed.
  7. Once the syncing is complete, your iTunes library, including your music, playlists, and other media, should be available on your new computer through iCloud Music Library.

Part 3. Transfer iTunes Library to New Computer Manually

Syncing or transferring your iTunes library with iCloud Music Library or consolidated files won't ensure the offline use, you have to download them again on your new computer. After your Apple Music subscription is expired, you will lose the access to your iTunes library that you added from Apple Music catalog. This is where you will want to transfer your iTunes library offline to across all devices, including your computers.

By downloading your entire iTunes library to your old computer, you can use a USB to transfer it to a new computer, however, as actual music files. iTunes allows you to put local files to it for offline listening. Once you got the downloaded music files, you can transfer it to your computer's iTunes library by using the File > Add File/Folder to Library.

Pros
Gives you more control over the file management.
No reliance on internet connection.
Allows you access your iTunes library across all devices, not just the new computer.
Ensures the files retain their original audio quality.
Cons
Time-consuming, especially for larger libraries.
May causes potential file duplication.
No automatic syncing.

Best iTunes Music Converter: ViWizard Audio Converter

If you haven't downloaded your iTunes library on your computer, consider using our ViWizard Audio Converter to download music contents into compatible file format with iTunes, such as MP3, AAC, or M4A.

Designed with a user-friendly interface, ViWizard Auido Converter allows you to access and download your iTunes library after loading it within the program. You can add whatever you want to download from iTunes including Apple Music, iTunes music, podcasts, audiobooks, and even Audible audiobooks in batch. Moreover, it retains metadata, including song title, artist names, album artwork in the downloaded files. The best part is that lossless audio will be kept, which ensures the seamless listening experience after transferring to the new computer.

You can try either Windows or Mac version of the ViWizard app, and iTunes app is required on your computer for the direct access of your library.

audio converter

Key Features of ViWizard Audio Converter

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  • Convert songs, albums, and playlists from Apple Music to MP3
  • Remove DRM protection from Apple Music, iTunes, and Audible
  • Save the converted audios with the original quality and ID3 tags
  • Support the conversion of up to 100 audio formats to others

Downloading your iTunes library:

Step 1Select iTunes contents

On your computer, ensure to download both the ViWizard and iTunes app. Launch ViWizard, and it will open the iTunes app. You can drag and drop the songs, playlists, albums, audiobooks, podcasts. and more to ViWizard's main interface. Alternatively, you can click the Add Music button at the top to load your entire iTunes library there to download.

add apple music songs

Step 2Adjust audio format

Adjust the audio format that's compatible with iTunes. Click on Format tab at the bottom-left, and choose either MP3, AAC, or M4A. You can also adjust bit rate, sample rate, or channel here based on preferences. Click OK to enable these settings.

set output settings

Step 3Download iTunes contents

Back to ViWizard's main interface, click Convert in the lower-right corner to start batch converting and downloading. This won't take long as it will complete at a 30x faster speed. After the conversion, click on the Open button. This will open the music folder that contains all the downloaded music on the computer.

convert apple music to mp3

Uploading your iTunes library:

  1. Transfer the downloaded music files to your new computer. This will require a storage device, USB, or an internet connection.
  2. After transferring your library, the music files or folders are ready for upload.
  3. On your new computer, ensure to install iTunes, and click File > Add File/Folder to Library, and locate the music files or folders.
  4. add folder to library itunes

  5. Click Open to upload the music files or folders to iTunes.
  6. Once the uploading is complete, your iTunes library should be available on your new computer as iTunes files. You can play them offline effortlessly.

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