How to Merge Two iTunes Libraries

Merging two iTunes libraries lets you combine music, playlists, ratings, and play counts from two separate library files into one. This is useful when you’re moving from an old computer, combining a family member’s library, or just want everything in one place. You’ll need both libraries accessible (either on the same computer or on an external drive) and enough free storage for the combined music files. The process uses iTunes’ built-in “Consolidate Files” and “Export/Import Playlists” features—no third-party software required.

What You’ll Need

• Both iTunes libraries available on the same Mac or PC (or one on an external drive).
• Enough free disk space for the combined music files (check the size of the smaller library).
• Administrator access to your computer (to move files if needed).
• iTunes (or the Music app on macOS Catalina or later) installed.

Step-by-Step

1. Back up both libraries. Before doing anything, copy each library folder (usually iTunes or Music folder) to an external drive. This protects against accidental loss.
2. Identify the “source” and “destination” libraries. The destination is the library you want to keep as your main one. The source is the library you’ll merge into it. Open the destination library first.
3. Consolidate the source library files. Open the source library (hold Option on Mac or Shift on Windows while launching iTunes, then choose the source library). Go to File > Library > Organize Library and check “Consolidate files.” This copies all referenced files into the source library’s media folder, so nothing is missing.
4. Export the source library’s playlists (optional but recommended). While the source library is open, go to File > Library > Export Playlist for each playlist you want to keep. Save them as .m3u or .xml files to a temporary folder. (You can also skip this and recreate playlists manually later.)
5. Close the source library and open the destination library. Quit iTunes, then relaunch holding Option/Shift and select the destination library.
6. Import the source library’s files. In the destination library, go to File > Add to Library (or File > Import) and select the source library’s media folder (usually iTunes Media or Music > Media). iTunes will copy all the files into the destination library. If you want to keep the files in place instead of copying, uncheck “Copy files to iTunes Media folder” in Preferences > Advanced—but copying is safer.
7. Wait for the import to finish. For large libraries, this can take a while. You’ll see a progress bar. Don’t interrupt it.
8. Import the playlists. If you exported playlists earlier, go to File > Library > Import Playlist and select each .m3u or .xml file. iTunes will recreate the playlists, but note that song references may need to be matched manually if the files were renamed or moved.
9. Check for duplicates. After import, you may have duplicate songs (same title and artist). Use the built-in “Show Duplicates” feature (View > Show Duplicates) to review and delete extras manually, or use a third-party duplicate cleaner if you prefer.
10. Verify everything. Play a few random tracks, check your playlists, and confirm that ratings and play counts are there (they usually are, as they’re stored in the library file).

Common Mistakes

• Not consolidating the source library. If you skip consolidation, some files might be missing when you import, resulting in broken tracks.
• Importing the entire library folder instead of the media folder. You should import the folder that contains the actual music files (e.g., iTunes Media), not the library file itself.
• Forgetting to back up. If something goes wrong, you could lose your library. Always back up first.
• Merging while the source library is still open. This can cause file locks or errors. Always close the source library before importing.
• Not checking for duplicates. You’ll end up with double tracks, which wastes space and clutters your library.

Tips

• Use a dedicated external drive if the combined library is large, to avoid filling your internal drive.
• Keep your library organized by enabling “Keep iTunes Media folder organized” in Preferences > Advanced. This ensures files are neatly sorted by artist/album.
• If you only want to merge a few playlists, you can export and import just those playlists instead of the whole library.
• Consider using the “Music” app on macOS Catalina or later—the process is identical, just the menu names are slightly different (e.g., “File > Library > Organize Library” becomes “File > Library > Organize Library” in the Music app).
• If you have many duplicates, sort by song name and artist to make manual cleanup faster.

Troubleshooting

• Some tracks show an exclamation mark or are grayed out. This means the file wasn’t found. Check the original location and re-import the file, or use “File > Library > Update” to refresh the library.
• The import seems to hang. Wait a few minutes—large libraries can take a long time. If it’s stuck for over an hour, force quit and try again, but make sure you have a backup.
• Playlists imported but are empty. The playlist file references paths that may not match. Try re-importing the playlist and when prompted, locate the missing files manually.
• “The file is in use” error. Close all other apps that might be accessing the music files (e.g., another media player).
• Duplicate songs appear after import. Use the built-in duplicate finder and delete the ones you don’t want. Be careful to keep the one with the higher bitrate or the one that has play counts.
• If you’re using iCloud Music Library, merging may cause sync issues. Consider turning it off temporarily during the merge, then turning it back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge two libraries without copying files?

Yes, you can uncheck “Copy files to iTunes Media folder” when importing, but then the files remain in their original location. If you move or delete the source folder later, the tracks will break. Copying is safer.

Will my play counts and ratings be preserved?

Yes, ratings and play counts are stored in the library file, so they come along when you import the files. However, if you import only the music files (not the library file), you’ll lose that metadata. That’s why we recommend importing the media folder, not the library file.

How do I know which library is the “source” and which is the “destination”?

The destination is the one you want to keep as your main library—usually the one with more music or the one you use most. The source is the one you’re merging from.

Can I merge libraries on a Windows PC and a Mac?

Yes, but you’ll need to transfer the files to a format both can read (e.g., FAT32 or exFAT external drive). The process is the same, but the folder names may differ slightly.

What if I have Apple Music or iCloud Music Library enabled?

It’s best to disable iCloud Music Library before merging, as it can cause conflicts and duplicate uploads. After merging, you can re-enable it and let iCloud sync.

Is there a way to merge automatically without manual steps?

There are third-party tools that can merge libraries automatically, but they often cost money and may not be reliable. The manual method above is free and works well for most users.

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