Shiny new MacBook Air, and I wanted to do this install from scratch (no TimeMachine recovery), but still get the good stuff from my old laptop. Also, rsync is awesome.
On old computer, from iTunes: File -> Library -> Organize Library
and check Consolidate files
.
After this looks like it finished (would be displayed in status area, i.e. song progress), quit iTunes.
In System Preferences
, go to Sharing
and make sure Remote Login
is enabled.
Make note of this computer's IP address. You can use /sbin/ifconfig
or the Network
preferences.
Quit iTunes.
Backup existing files, just in case:
cd ~/Music
mv iTunes iTunes.bak
Remember that IP address from earlier? Let's pretend it's 192.168.1.4 for demonstration.
On new computer:
cd ~/Music
rsync -av --delete 192.168.1.4:Music/iTunes .
Now wait, and have a glass of scotch.
Open iTunes on your new computer, and you should have all these things:
- Music
- Playlists
- Song plays
- Ratings
- Videos
- Syncability with iPhones/iPods
The first time I tried this, it didn't recognize anything in the Library. Not sure if these matter, or if the second run was just luckier. In any event, these are things I tried, and are reflected above when it's pretty likely to have helped:
- Tried to add existing Library to itself. Cancelled partway through
- On old computer, exported Library using
File -> Library -> Export Library
- Added --delete to rsync run
- Made sure iTunes wasn't running during rsync