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iTunes 12: Copy Music Files Between Computers With Home Sharing

Mitch BartlettSeptember 19, 2018 Comments (4)

Easily copy the music from your Apple iTunes music library between computers by enabling the Home Sharing feature using this tutorial.

Note: This tutorial is geared toward iTunes version 12.9.

>> Perform these steps on all computers you wish to share music with. <<

  1. Ensure the latest version of iTunes is installed on both computers.
  2. Select “File” > “Home Sharing” > “Turn On Home Sharing“.
    iTunes Home Sharing setting
  3. If prompted for a username and password, enter your Apple Store credentials.
  4. Repeat steps 1 & 2 for any other computers you wish to share music between. Ensure all computers are connected to the same network.
  5. Click “Edit” > “Preferences“.
  6. Select the “Sharing” tab.
  7. Check “Share my library on my local network” to share your entire library. Optionally, you could select “Share selected playlists“, then check individual playlists if you wish to limit sharing. You can also require a password for access to the library allow play counts to be updated through sharing usage.
    iTunes Sharing Tab
  8. Select the drop-down menu located in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window, then choose the music library you would like to access.
  9. Copy any music from a shared library by dragging it left. A sidebar will appear as you drag, where you can drop it into your local library.
Categories: Software

Author Mitch Bartlett

Through my career that spans over 20 years I have become an expert in Microsoft Systems Administration, Android, and macOS. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful knowledgebase for everyone.

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Comments

  1. Peter says:
    September 3, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    Me too. Has anyone solved this?
    Even Samuel Perrson’s updated suggestion doesn’t work… maybe iTunes needs to be replaced!

  2. Samuel Persson says:
    August 14, 2019 at 4:24 pm

    If the above doesn’t work try this instead.
    Follow steps above including 8.
    9. In bottom left select Show: all objects not included in my library
    10. Display the album you would like to move
    11. In the upper right corner elect the three dots in the blue circle and then select import

    I run a Swedish version of iTunes so I am not sure about the exact words on the US version of iTunes, but you will figure it out!

  3. Jason Gilman says:
    May 5, 2019 at 1:55 pm

    I tried this exactly and nothing happens. The tracks don’t move. When I try copying, there is nothing to paste. I’ve tried moving tracks in my library to the shared library on my machine. I tried moving tracks from my shared library to the computer’s library. Nothing. Home sharing is on. I tried it with two different Apple IDs, the same Apple ID, and without the machine I’m copying to being signed in at all in iTunes.

  4. Richard Rene says:
    March 16, 2019 at 7:39 am

    no, i do these steps exactly with both pc’s having the same version of itunes 12.9.3.3 and it still doesn’t work.. We can see the shared libraries but the dragging left part does not do anything.
    No sidebar appears from the local machine…nothing happens

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My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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Last Updated on September 19, 2018 by Mitch Bartlett