Make iTunes always ask to select library

[matty1]

You can make iTunes select a library or create a new one by holding down the option button when opening iTunes. Is there a way to force iTunes to display this dialogue every time it is opened without having to hold down the option button? Many people sync their devices from the same Mac and I don't want iTunes to start syncing a device with the wrong library.

 

[chscag]

iTunes will always sync with the default library. So whichever one you designated as default is where it's going to do its syncing. Doesn't matter how many libraries you might have.

 

[Slydude]

This should be possible with either AppleScript or Automator but I'll have to do some poking around. There was an Automator action that could be used to mimic having the option button depressed. I'll have to test things and see if that still works. Applescript should work but may take me a bit longer to work out.

In theory the script could be saved as an application with a different application button assigned for each library that would then launch iTunes.

 

[matty1]

It would be great if you could work out and explain how to do that.

 

[Slydude]

I was able to cobble together something that works by modifying a snippet of code I found on the Internet. I don't think it does anything harmful to iTunes, your Mac or the space time continuum but use at your own risk. It has had limited testing

1. Launch Script Editor (you can find it using Spotlight). It should open with a new blank document,
2. Paste the following code into the new document

tell application "System Events"
	tell process "Finder"
		option key down
		tell application "iTunes" to activate
		tell application "System Events"
			tell process "Finder"
				option key up
			end tell
		end tell
	end tell
end tell

3. Click the "hammer" icon at the top of the Script Editor Window to compile and check for errors.
4. Choose Save to save the script somewhere you'll remember. In the File Format drop down choose "Application"

This script probably needs for you to have an AppleScript feature called access for Assistive Devices enabled. How you enable that varies depending upon which version of OS X you are using. You can find that information here. You'll only need to do that once.

You could make an alias of this "application" for ease of use.