Most people can't do without the official iTunes program to sync the media library between iPhone and PC and use it regularly without any problems whatsoever. But what should we do if we change the PC or format the disk to get a clean installation "> Guide to iTunes, options and functions to manage the iPhone from the computer
1) Move the library using iTunes
The first method to move the media library is to use iTunes itself, without necessarily having to download other programs.
For this operation, get an external hard drive or a fairly large USB stick (depending on the size of the library, we recommend at least 64 GB) and the other computer, which will be the target of the transfer.
If we do not know which USB stick to buy, we refer you to reading our dedicated guide present here -> Best USB sticks to buy: the fastest, cheapest, largest .
After clearing the key or disk from important files, we proceed as explained below:
- We connect the external external hard drive or USB stick to the computer and open the exploration of files and folders.
- iTunes saves the entire library within a specific folder; to find it, go to Preferences from the Edit menu, go to the Advanced tab, and check the path indicated in the iTunes Media folder location field .
For convenience, put a checkmark in the Keep iTunes Media folder organized box.
- Now let's go to the path File -> Library -> Organize and insert the check mark next to the item Consolidate File .
- Wait a few minutes, then close the program by pressing the X on the right at the top.
- Let's go to the path of the iTunes folder (by default, it should be inside the personal Music folder); up Mac location is Finder -> Username -> Music .
- Now drag the main folder of iTunes to the external hard drive or USB stick.
The backup is now done, the entire iTunes library has been copied and we can move it to other PCs or keep it as a backup copy.
To restore or copy the iTunes library to another computer that has iTunes installed (make sure to start it at least once), we need to:
- Connect the external hard drive or USB stick to the computer
- Launch iTunes
- Drag the iTunes folder from the external disk to the iTunes window and wait for the end of the copy
At the end we open the iTunes program, go to File -> Add folder to the library and select the folder just copied to start the insertion.
2) Synchronize iTunes Store purchases
If we purchased music online through the iTunes Store, immediately restoring the purchases to the new iTunes (after formatting or changing the PC) is very simple: we install and open iTunes, then click on the top Account -> Login and, in the window that will appear, enter the login credentials to the Apple ID used for purchases (it should be the same used on the iPhone or requested by the iTunes Store at the time of purchase).
After entering the credentials, click on Login and, in a few minutes, iTunes will verify our purchases and download them locally, so that we can listen to them (in the case of albums or music tracks) or view them (in case the purchases concern films and series TV).
3) Other programs to move iTunes
Alternatively, to move the iTunes library to another computer with all the multimedia contents (music, videos etc.), we can use free programs such as those available below:
- CopyTrans TuneSwift: this program allows you to backup the iTunes library and restore it on another computer or on the same PC, with two clicks .
TuneSwift works on Windows and Mac and is compatible with every version of iTunes installed.
- EaseUS Todo PCTrans: another free program with which we can transfer an entire program between one PC and another, including data folders (in this case the iTunes folder which contains all the multimedia files).
- SuperSync: this program allows you to effectively synchronize two different iTunes, with the ability to manually copy the changes.
Compatible with Windows and Mac, it also allows you to keep two PCs with different operating systems synchronized.
- NetSync for iTunes 2: paid program (but a 15-day trial is available) with which we can move the entire iTunes library to another PC without problems, in addition to keeping two different iTunes synchronized.
In another article, we showed you how to avoid moving it manually, using some valid methods to synchronize the iTunes library on two or more computers .
If, however, we still use iPods to listen to music, in another guide we can find all the steps to connect the iPod and transfer music without Itunes, with more handy and flexible alternative programs.
We no longer want to use iTunes to manage iPhone, iPad or iPod "> Programs to manage iPhone from PC without iTunes
