Transfer from (very) old iTunes to new(er)

Hello again, longtimemacuser666!

It looks like that guide is no longer available, but we can provide the steps for you.

This is dependent on you having access to an external drive that is large enough to hold your iTunes Library.

First you'll want to consolidate your iTunes library.

1. Open iTunes
2. Click File in the Menu Bar
3. Hover the mouse over Library, then click on Organize Library
4. Check the box next to Consolidate files
5. Click OK

Now, connect your external drive to your older Mac. Once it's connected and recognized, complete the following steps.

1. Open Finder
2. Select your Mac's hard drive in the sidebar (Macintosh HD is the usual name)
3. Click on Music in the sidebar
4. Select the iTunes folder and drag it to the external hard drive icon in the sidebar.
5. If prompted, click Authenticate and enter your admin password.
6. Click OK

*If your Mac does not see the external drive, and it's not listed in the side bar, do this: macOS User Guide: See connected disks, devices, and servers on Mac

The process of copying the folder should begin. Please note that this may take quite a bit of time due to the amount of data you have saved in your iTunes folder. So make sure your Macs are connected to a reliable power source.

Once the process has completed, you can eject the external drive from your older Mac, and connect it to the newer one. Then you can start the process of copying the folder from the external drive to the newer Mac. Or you can continue to use the external drive as your dedicated iTunes library in order to free up additional space on the new Mac.

Here's the steps to change the iTunes library so that it reads from the external drive.

1. Quit iTunes
2. Hold down the Option key and click iTunes to launch it
3. A pop-up window should appear asking you to "Choose iTunes Library"
4. Click on "Choose Library"
5. Select the location on your external drive where you stored your copy of your iTunes folder
6. Click OK
7. iTunes will load the library and set it as the default location

Cheers!

Hello, longtimemacuser666.

It looks like you're trying to transfer all content and data related to your iTunes Library from your old Mac to your newer one. We'd be glad to provide you some guidance.

To start, these methods are designed to copy over your iTunes Library and its contents. It is possible that some data, like edited metadata, may not transfer over. Here are the guides you'll want to follow.

First, you should make sure you have everything ready to migrate.

• Locate and organize your iTunes media files

Then you can start the migration process.

• How to move your iTunes library to a new computer

These articles will give you information on how to change your iTunes files location.

For macOS Catalina: Apple Music User Guide: Change where your music files are stored on Mac

For OS X Mojave: iTunes User Guide: Change where your iTunes files are stored on Mac

You also have the option to transfer all data and content from the older Mac to the newer one. That should ensure all the edited information will be moved over.

• How to move your content to a new Mac

Cheers!

See also Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community. Assuming you're moving to Catalina see What happened to iTunes? - Apple Support for the changes that have taken place. Unfortunately Music doesn't migrate the iTunes artwork cache so, if possible, it might be best to ensure all artwork is embedded in your tracks before the transfer.

tt2

Hey again, longtimemacuser666!

We're glad to hear you got your library moved and are now enjoying your music.

Take care!