Not keen on using one iTunes library to manage several family member’s iPhone, iPod touch and iPad content and curious how multiple iTunes libraries work? While it’s not exactly obvious it is fairly easy to use multiple iTunes libraries on the same Windows or Mac PC. We’ll show you how after the break!

[Inside iTunes]

When we posted one how to manage syncing multiple iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads with a single iTunes library, many of you commented that you preferred using multiple libraries. Fair enough!

Creating multiple iTunes libraries

If you don’t already have multiple libraries here’s how to create them:

1. Make sure iTunes isn’t running. Quit it if it is.
2. Hold down ALT (Windows) or OPTION (Mac) and click the iTunes icon.
3. A dialog box will pop up. Click the button that says Create Library…
4. Browse to where you want the library to be located and give it a distinctive name (we recommend having one folder for all your libraries and then naming libraries after your devices or members of your family so they’re easy to identify later).
5. iTunes will open with a new, empty library that can you can fill with music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, apps and other content just for the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad you want to sync it with.
6. Repeat these steps for each additional library you want to create.

Switching libraries

To switch from one iTunes library to another:

1. Quit iTunes if it’s running.
2. Hold down ALT (Windows) or OPTION (Mac) and click the iTunes icon.
3. A dialog box will pop up. Click the button that says Choose Library…
4. A file browser will launch. Navigate to your library and choose the one you want to open.
5. Your iTunes library will open. Plug in your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad and sync away!

More

Multiple libraries are good for more than just multiple devices and family members. For example you might want a separate library for seasonal content like Christmas music that you only sync for a few weeks out of the year. Maybe you’re going on a special trip and want apps and media that you won’t sync again once you get back home. Anything that you want to keep clean and separate is a good candidate for its own iTunes library.

If you have any questions or any iTunes ninja tips of your own to share please let us know in the comments. If you’re already using multiple libraries, let us know how it’s working for you!

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This entry was posted on Monday, January 31st, 2011 at 11:16 pm and is filed under Ipod Touch, Itunes, Tip of the Day, apps tips, iPad, iPhone, itunes library, itunes tips, music tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.