Move all iTunes music to external drive

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I have quite a bit of music that I wish to MOVE (not copy) from my MacBook Pro to an external hard drive. What's the best way to do this?

Again, I want to move the music and not copy it.

The external drive (I've got several to choose from) would replace my MacBook Pro as the music repository.

I'm using iTunes.

Thanks!
 

IWT


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Hi,

Rather than laboriously go through the stages, here is an article that tells you hove to move your iTunes library to an External Hard Drive (EHD): https://www.imore.com/how-move-your-itunes-library-external-hard-drive

NB Once moved, that EHD is your ONLY copy of the iTunes library, so be sure to back up your EHD regularly. Moreover, there is no iCloud backup with an EHD, whereas there is from your Mac if you so choose.

Ian
 
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Just as an FYI, the only way to move files/data from one drive to another, is to copy that data. Then after everything is copied to the new location, delete the files/data from the old location.
 
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Got the information and thanks!. I'll probably have another question or two, but this is a good start!
 

Slydude

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Just a couple of caveats from someone who has had numerous issues with iTunes librarries:

1. Do not remove the lirary files, music, etc. from your MacBook Pro until you have had time to check and make sure everyting has been transferred intact. I had an issue recently where I was comparing the files in my iTunes library with the files in a backup copy. Over the last few years several folders that I thought had gotten copied / transferred properly were empty. The folders were itact but there were no files there.

2. After you transfer the files to an external drive and tell iTunes to use those files make sure that the hard drive is mounted (appears on the desktop) before you launch iTunes. If not iTunes will revert to looking in your user folder for the files and any new music added will end up there.
 
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Just a couple of caveats from someone who has had numerous issues with iTunes librarries:

1. Do not remove the lirary files, music, etc. from your MacBook Pro until you have had time to check and make sure everyting has been transferred intact. I had an issue recently where I was comparing the files in my iTunes library with the files in a backup copy. Over the last few years several folders that I thought had gotten copied / transferred properly were empty. The folders were itact but there were no files there.

2. After you transfer the files to an external drive and tell iTunes to use those files make sure that the hard drive is mounted (appears on the desktop) before you launch iTunes. If not iTunes will revert to looking in your user folder for the files and any new music added will end up there.

Excellent advice. Thanks!!

Did a full backup overnight.
 
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Just as an FYI, the only way to move files/data from one drive to another, is to copy that data. Then after everything is copied to the new location, delete the files/data from the old location.

Actually, if you hold down the CMD key while dragging and dropping from one drive to another, you can move the files rather than copy them.
 
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Actually, if you hold down the CMD key while dragging and dropping from one drive to another, you can move the files rather than copy them.
Thanks, wasn't familiar with that command?
 

IWT


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It is indeed so. Cmd + drag always moves, and Option + Drag always copies.

But in the OP's case, it's important to copy the iTunes Library first, check that it works - then delete the original. As in the Link I posted.

This is not a bad practice to follow especially with sensitive data. Cmd + Drag moves; but a tremble with the finger and the data gets dumped goodness knows where - or lost.

Ian
 

IWT


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Nice one, Jonathan:). Perfectly correct if one remembers in time before doing something else. I tend to be a "belt and braces" man. Minimise risk. An unsteady hand comes with age, I'm afraid:Blushing:

Ian
 
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Perfectly correct if one remembers in time before doing something else

That's what CMD + F is for.

Ok, I'll stop ;D

As long as the end result is good, that's more important than how you get there.
 

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