What is ‘splitting iTunes library’?Why is splitting your iTunes library helpful?How to split the iTunes library between two folders or drivesBonus Tip: How to create and use multiple iTunes libraries on your computer Create multiple iTunes libraries on Mac Select and open the desired library in iTunes
What is ‘splitting iTunes library’?
As evident from the name, splitting iTunes library means retaining a portion of your iTunes media (say music that takes less space) on the internal drive and moving another portion (say movies and TV shows that take huge space) on an external drive. Now, in the example above, I mentioned two separate drives – internal and external. This is because most people look for this as it lets them free space on their Mac. But if you like, you can divide your iTunes library into multiple folders, even if they are on the same internal drive. The steps are the same.
Why is splitting your iTunes library helpful?
Lets you free space on the computer.You can move the entire iTunes folder to an external drive. But that would mean losing access to your music files if you are not carrying your Ha. So, splitting the iTunes library lets you keep the music (or files you like) on the internal disk and the rest of the large ones (that you seldom watch) on an external drive.
Now that you know the basics let us get straight in and follow the steps below to split your iTunes content into multiple drives. The process is divided into the following two subtasks.
Locate the existing media and copy it to an external drive (or a separate folder).Ask iTunes to play media directly from that drive or folder, without copying it to its folders.
Note: For the steps below, I am using a Mac. The steps for iTunes on Windows are similar. Also, I am splitting the iTunes library into two – music (I will leave it on the internal drive) and movies (I will move it to the external drive).
How to split the iTunes library between two folders or drives
Some important points:
If you try to play a movie when the external drive is not connected to the Mac, it will show a popup error asking you to locate the file. To avoid this, ensure you connect the drive first.Personal thought: If you choose to follow step 6, I would advise rechecking the box if you add music files. I like having the music files added to the iTunes folder. This gives me the option to even delete the original files without worrying. Also, music files are small in size. So no problem there, unless you have thousands of songs!
Finally, I have one more tip that lets you create multiple iTunes libraries on the same computer. This is helpful if your family uses the same computer. You can each have your personalized music library. The icing on the cake is that you can even sync your iPhone, iPad, iPod separately! Let me show you how to create and access different libraries in iTunes.
Bonus Tip: How to create and use multiple iTunes libraries on your computer
Create multiple iTunes libraries on Mac
Select and open the desired library in iTunes
Note: iTunes, by default, opens the last library that was open on it. If you wish that nobody else sees your songs and music, create a dummy library, and open it before shutting down the Mac or handing it to someone.
Successfully split the iTunes library into multiple locations!
I hope the above steps to split the iTunes library helped you organize things. If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask in the comments below. READ NEXT
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