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How to Use Multiple iTunes Libraries on a Single Computer

Keep everyone's music in the same place

By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 3, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section Create Multiple Libraries Step-by-Step: Use Them Manage Multiple Devices Keep These Tips in Mind Mind Your Apple ID It's possible to have multiple iTunes libraries, with separate content, on one computer. This lesser-known feature helps you keep multiple people's music, movies, and apps separate and lets you sync multiple iPods, iPhones, or iPads to a single computer without getting other people's music on your device unintentionally. Other options include using playlists and multiple user accounts. These instructions apply to iTunes 9.2 and higher.

How to Create Multiple iTunes Libraries

Having multiple iTunes libraries is similar to having two separate computers, each with iTunes. The libraries are completely separate: Music, movies, or apps that you add to one library won't appear in the other unless you copy the files to it (with one exception). To create multiple iTunes libraries on your computer, follow these steps: Quit iTunes if it's running. Press and hold the Option key (on Mac) or the Shift key (on Windows) and click the iTunes icon to launch the program. Release the key when the Choose iTunes Library window appears, then select Create Library. In the Save As text box, enter a name for the new iTunes library. Give the new library a name that is different from the existing library or libraries to make it easy to locate the library. Select the Where drop-down menu and choose the folder where you want to store the new library on your computer. It may be easiest to create the new library in the existing Music/My Music folder to keep everyone's content in the same place. Select Save to create the new library. ​iTunes opens using the newly created library. You can add new content to it.

How to Use Multiple iTunes Libraries

Once you've created multiple iTunes libraries, here's how to switch between them: Press and hold the Option key (on Mac) or the Shift key (on Windows), then open iTunes. In the Choose iTunes Library window, select Choose Library. Another window appears, defaulting to your Music/My Music folder. If you stored your other iTunes libraries somewhere else, navigate through your computer to the location of the new library. Choose the folder for the new library and select Open. You don't have to select anything inside the folder. iTunes opens using the library you chose.

How to Manage Multiple iPods iPhones With Multiple iTunes Library

Using this technique, two or more people using the same computer can manage their own iPods, iPhones, and iPads without interfering with each other's music or settings. To do this, press and hold Option or Shift, open iTunes, select an iTunes library, then connect the iPhone or iPod you sync with this library. It will go through the standard syncing process, using the media in the currently active iTunes library. The iPhone and iPod can only sync to one library at a time. If you sync with another library, iTunes removes the contents from one library and replaces the content with material from the other.

Other Notes About Managing Multiple iTunes Libraries

Here are a few things to know about managing multiple iTunes libraries on a single computer: If you have multiple iTunes libraries on your computer and don't press the Option or Shift key when you launch iTunes, it opens the last library you used. To make sure that each person uses only their iTunes account with their library, sign out of your iTunes account when you're done using the program. When you have multiple iTunes libraries on one computer, you can't have different parental control settings for each library. To have different Restrictions settings, use multiple user accounts on the computer.

Watch out for Apple Music iTunes Match

If you use Apple Music or iTunes Match, you must sign out of your Apple ID before quitting iTunes. Both of those services are designed to sync music to all devices using the same Apple ID. If both iTunes libraries on the same computer are signed in to the same Apple ID, iTunes automatically downloads the same music to them. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Move Your iTunes Library to a New Location How to Manually Add Music to Your iPhone Syncing Part of Your iTunes Library Can You Install iTunes on a Mac? How to Set Up and Use Home Sharing in iTunes How to Stop iTunes From Opening When an iPhone Is Connected to a Mac How to Transfer Music from Computer to iPhone Complete Guide to Using iTunes and the iTunes Store How to Change Your iPhone's Name How to Control Your iTunes Library With Your iPhone Downloading Music to Your iPad is Easy Do You Have to Use ITunes With an IPhone or IPod? How to Copy Music From Your iPod to a Mac How to Restore Your iPhone From a Backup How to Use Multiple iPhones on One Computer How to Transfer Music From iPhone to Android Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies