If you have a large music collection, you may find that your internal hard drive doesn’t have enough storage space. If this is the case, you can move your iTunes library to an external hard drive or Network Attached Storage (NAS). This can be done relatively easily, and it will free up space on your internal hard drive. Here’s how to do it.
If you’ve accumulated a lot of music, movies, or other media files over the years, you may find that your internal hard drive is getting full. One way to free up some space is to move your iTunes library to an external hard drive. This can be a great way to save space, especially if you have a lot of high-quality files.
There are a few different ways to do this, and which one you choose will depend on your specific needs and setup. In this article, we’ll show you how to move your iTunes library to an external hard drive. We’ll also go over a few tips to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Moving your iTunes library to an external hard drive is relatively simple. First, you’ll need to decide which method you want to use. You can either use the “iTunes Library Manager” method or the “Manual” method.
The “iTunes Library Manager” method is the easiest way to move your iTunes library to an external hard drive. This method will create a new iTunes library on your external hard drive and move all of your files over.
To use this method, you’ll need to connect your external hard drive to your computer. Once it’s connected, launch iTunes and go to the “Preferences” menu. In the “Advanced” tab, you’ll see an option to “iTunes Media Folder Location.” Click on this option and then select the “Change” button.
In the window that appears, select the “iTunes Media” folder on your external hard drive. Once you’ve done that, click the “Open” button. You’ll see a message asking if you want to move your iTunes library to the new location. Click “Yes” and iTunes will start moving your files over.
The “Manual” method is a bit more complicated, but it gives you more control over where your files are stored. With this method, you’ll need to create a new iTunes library on your external hard drive and then manually copy your files over.
To use the “Manual” method, you’ll first need to quit iTunes and connect your external hard drive to your computer. Once it’s connected, launch iTunes and go to the “Preferences” menu. In the “Advanced” tab, you’ll see an option to “iTunes Media Folder Location.” Click on this option and then select the “Change” button.
In the window that appears, select the “iTunes Media” folder on your external hard drive. Once you’ve done that, click the “Open” button. You’ll see a message asking if you want to move your iTunes library to the new location. Click “Yes” and iTunes will create a new, empty library on your external hard drive.
Now that you have a new, empty iTunes library on your external hard drive, you’ll need to copy your files over. To do this, go to the “iTunes Media” folder on your internal hard drive. Inside this folder, you’ll find your music, movies, and other media files.
Drag and drop these files into the “iTunes Media” folder on your external hard drive. Once you’ve copied all of your files over, launch iTunes and go to the “Preferences” menu. In the “Advanced” tab, you’ll see an option to “iTunes Media Folder Location.” Click on this option and then select the “Change” button.
In the window that appears, select the “iTunes Media” folder on your external hard drive. Once you’ve done that, click the “Open” button. You’ll see a message asking if you want to move your iTunes library to the new location. Click “Yes” and iTunes will start using your external hard drive as your primary iTunes library.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using an external hard drive as your iTunes library. First, iTunes will only be able to access your library if the external hard drive is connected. This means you won’t be able to access your library if you’re away from your computer.
Second, you’ll need to make sure your external hard drive has enough storage space to accommodate your iTunes library. iTunes libraries can vary in size, but a good rule of thumb is to make sure you have at least twice as much storage space as your largest iTunes library.
Finally, you should back up your external hard drive regularly. This will ensure that your iTunes library is safe in case your hard drive fails.
Now that you know how to move your iTunes library to an external hard drive, you can free up space on your internal hard drive. You can also take your iTunes library with you wherever you go, just make sure you have your external hard drive connected.
Table of Contents
The Benefits of an iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive or NAS
There are many benefits of having your iTunes library on an external hard drive or NAS, including:
1. Access your music from anywhere
If you have your iTunes library stored on an external hard drive or NAS, you can access it from any computer or iOS device. This is especially useful if you have multiple computers in your home or office, or if you travel frequently.
2. Save space on your computer
Storing your iTunes library on an external hard drive or NAS frees up space on your computer’s internal hard drive. This is especially beneficial if you have a smaller-sized hard drive, or if you have a lot of music, videos, and other content in your iTunes library.
3. Back up your iTunes library
If you store your iTunes library on an external hard drive or NAS, you can easily back it up. This is important in case your computer crashes or you lose any of your files.
4. Organize your iTunes library
If you have your iTunes library stored on an external hard drive or NAS, you can easily organize it. This is helpful if you have a lot of music, videos, and other content in your iTunes library.
5. Listen to music on a different computer
If you have your iTunes library stored on an external hard drive or NAS, you can easily listen to your music on a different computer. This is helpful if you have a laptop or another computer that you use frequently.
How to Choose an External Hard Drive or NAS
External hard drives and NAS devices offer a convenient way to store your iTunes library, providing easy access and portability. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right one for your needs? Here are a few things to consider when making your selection:
– Capacity: How much storage space do you need? This will depend on the size of your iTunes library as well as any other files you want to store on the drive.
– Speed: Look for a drive with a fast data transfer rate to avoid any delays when accessing your files.
– Connectivity: Make sure the drive has a USB port that is compatible with your computer. Some drives also offer additional ports for connecting other devices.
– Price: Compare prices to find the best value for your budget.
Once you’ve considered these factors, you’re ready to choose the external hard drive or NAS that’s right for you.
How to Connect an External Hard Drive or NAS to Your Computer
If you have a lot of music, movies, or other media files, you may find that your computer’s internal hard drive doesn’t have enough storage to hold everything. In that case, you can connect an external hard drive or network attached storage (NAS) device to your computer to give yourself more storage space.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Connect your external hard drive or NAS to your computer.
2. If you’re using a hard drive, you’ll need to format it before you can use it. To do that, open the Disk Utility application, select your hard drive, and click the “Erase” button.
3. Once your hard drive is formatted, open iTunes and go to the Preferences menu.
4. In the Preferences menu, click the “Advanced” tab.
5. In the “Advanced” tab, find the “iTunes Media folder location” section.
6. Click the “Change” button, and select the location of your external hard drive or NAS.
7. Click the “OK” button, and you should now be able to use your external hard drive or NAS as an iTunes library.
How to Set Up an iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive or NAS
An external hard drive or NAS is a great way to store your iTunes library because it frees up space on your computer’s internal hard drive. Plus, it’s a lot easier to manage your media files when they’re all in one place.
Here’s how to set up your iTunes library on an external hard drive or NAS:
1. Connect your external hard drive or NAS to your computer.
2. Launch iTunes and go to Preferences > Advanced.
3. Under “iTunes Media Folder Location,” click the “Change” button.
4. Navigate to your external hard drive or NAS and select the folder where you want to store your iTunes library.
5. Click “OK” to save your changes.
Your iTunes library will now be stored on your external hard drive or NAS.
How to Maintain an iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive or NAS
One of the most popular questions we see is how to maintain an iTunes library on an external hard drive or NAS. There are a few different ways to do this, and which one you choose will likely depend on your personal set up and preferences. In this article, we’ll explore a few different options and help you choose the best one for your needs.
The first option is to use iTunes’ “Consolidate files” feature. This will copy all of your media files into your iTunes Media folder, which will be located on your external hard drive. To do this, open iTunes and go to the “Advanced” tab. Under the “iTunes Media folder location” section, click the “Consolidate files” button.
Another option is to use a third-party tool, such as iExplorer, to copy your iTunes Media folder to your external hard drive. This method is a bit more complicated, but it does give you more control over where your files are located.
Finally, you can also manually copy your iTunes Media folder to your external hard drive. This is the most tedious option, but it does give you the most control over your files. To do this, open iTunes and go to the “Advanced” tab. Under the “iTunes Media folder location” section, note the location of your iTunes Media folder. Next, open Finder and navigate to your external hard drive. Create a new folder and name it “iTunes Media.” Then, drag the iTunes Media folder from your computer to the iTunes Media folder on your external hard drive.
Which option you choose will likely depend on your personal set up and preferences. If you want the simplest solution, then using iTunes’ “Consolidate files” feature is probably your best bet. If you want more control over your files, then using a third-party tool or manual copy is probably a better option.
