Can I transfer MP3s from an external hard drive into someone's else's iTunes?

April 5, 2011 7:27 PM

Can I transfer MP3s from an external hard drive into someone's else's iTunes?

I know this is a very basic question but I'm wondering if it's possible - rather than burning several CDs for someone - to instead simply connect and drag the files from my external hard drive into their iTunes folder. Both are Macs. Will it make a difference if the files were ripped from CD vs. purchased via iTunes/amazon? Any other issues that may come up?

Thanks!

posted by staveitoff to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

Yup. Have itunes open. Select files in Finder. Drag into iTunes sidebar - top section with Music/Podcasts/etc. Cursor should turn to a green plus sign. Release. It will copy everything in (by default - iTunes could possibly be set up just to leave the files in place and reference them in iTunes, but probably not.)

Possible pitfalls: Older iTunes-purchased songs will not work on another computer unles it is signed into the iTunes account that purchased them.

All iTunes purchases (old or new) have watermarks in the song files identifying the account from which they were purchased. Not sure whether Amazon does the same.
posted by mef613 at 7:33 PM on April 5, 2011

You can do this, but they'll still have to add the song(s) to their iTunes library. Until this is done, the file will be there, but iTunes won't know about it. Accordingly, I wouldn't transfer it direct to their iTunes folder, but would put it in their Public folder, and allow them to add it in whichever fashion they prefer.
posted by pompomtom at 7:39 PM on April 5, 2011

Given pompomtom's concern, drag into the iTunes window instead of to their drive. Confirm they have the default settings ("copy to folder when adding to library") and then it's one step instead of two.
posted by olecranon at 7:49 PM on April 5, 2011

Ahhh.. yeah, I was thinking you meant file sharing by 'connect'. Drag straight from your external drive volume to the itunes window.
posted by pompomtom at 8:19 PM on April 5, 2011

Not sure whether Amazon does the same.

Dunno about audio watermarking, but Amazon are up-front in the song/album's Product Details section about their MP3s containing "Record Company Required Metadata" -- for example this description on UMG products.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:01 PM on April 5, 2011

Copy + paste into user's hard drive. Have them drop into iTunes from there.
posted by surewouldoutlaw at 10:14 PM on April 5, 2011

TOO EASY! iTunes has a folder in Your Documents specifically for this.

Read the link or just navigate to this folder...

My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Automatically Add to iTunes

...drop your files in this folder and the next time iTunes starts it will poll
that folder for new content and auomatically populate itself with the new content.
posted by No Shmoobles at 10:05 AM on April 6, 2011 [2 favorites]