Access Shared Libraries on iTunes

ITunes is an application developed by Apple that allows users to play and organize music and video files. The iTunes application can be used on computers and devices supported by Apple such as the iPod, iPad or iPhone in addition to those using the Windows or Android operating systems. Users can share their iTunes files with other iTunes users over a shared wireless or wired network. In some cases, you may have to "authorize" your computer in order to play files that users purchased directly from the iTunes store. Continue reading to learn how to access and use shared libraries in iTunes.

Steps

Access Shared Libraries

  1. Open the iTunes application on your computer or device.
  2. Open iTunes Preferences.
    • Macintosh users will click on "iTunes" and select "Preferences."
    • Windows users will click on "Edit" and select "Preferences."
  3. Click on the "Sharing" icon.
  4. Place a check mark next to "Look for shared libraries."
  5. Select the "OK" button to bring up the "Shared" menu.
  6. Display lists of iTunes users who are sharing their libraries on your network by clicking on the triangle icons on the left.
  7. Choose on the name of any iTunes user to display a list of all iTunes files the user has marked for sharing.
    • Click on the triangle icons to the left of an iTunes name to view the playlists.
  8. Listen to files or playlists by double-clicking directly on a file or by clicking directly on a playlist.
  9. Hit the "Play" button.
  10. Stop listening to shared music at any time by clicking the "Eject" icon to the right of the user's name or by closing the iTunes application.

Share Music on a Computer with Multiple User Accounts

  1. Switch to your user account without logging other users out of their profiles to access their iTunes library.
    • You can access each user's individual iTunes files on computers with multiple user profiles,. For example, music will be available in the "Shared" menu of iTunes if all members of a family use one computer and everyone syncs their iPods from their individual accounts.

Authorize Your Computer

  1. Open the iTunes application on your computer.
  2. Click on the "Store" menu.
  3. Choose "Authorize This Computer."
    • If "Authorize This Computer" is not an option under the "Store" menu, you may have an earlier version of iTunes. Look for it under the "Advanced" menu.
  4. Type in your Apple ID and password, then click on the "Authorize" button. This feature will allow you to play songs and videos purchased from the iTunes store.

Tips

  • If you are listening to an audiobook from a shared library, take note of the exact time you stopped listening, because the file won't bookmark your stopping place.
  • Up to 5 people can stream music from another user's iTunes data every 24 hours.
  • The types of files that can be shared are MP3, WAV, AIFF, AAC, video, Apple Lossless, shared radio station links and audiobooks purchased from the iTunes store.

Warnings

  • You cannot create new playlists with music from shared libraries or set ratings on songs.
  • Files that cannot be shared are QuickTime sound and movie files, videos purchased from the iTunes store and content from the Audible website.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Access_Shared_Libraries_on_iTunes&oldid=266287"