X

How-to set up iTunes Home Sharing (photos)

Learn how-to set up the Home Sharing feature in Apple's iTunes 9 music software.

Donald Bell
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
Donald Bell
homeshareicon.PNG
1 of 6 CNET
There's a new feature in Apple's iTunes 9 music software called Home Sharing that lets all the computers in your home easily transfer media back and forth. It's a great solution for those times when you buy an album or TV show on your computer, and your wife or child wants a copy on their computer as well.

The first step is to make sure all the computers in your home are running iTunes 9 or later and are connected to the web through your local wired or wireless router. Next, find the first computer you want to share from and select the Home Sharing icon in the left window of iTunes.
turnon.PNG
2 of 6 Apple
If you don't see an icon, go into the iTunes advanced menu and select "Turn Home Sharing On."
confirmation.PNG
3 of 6 Apple
In the main window, you should see a place to plug in your iTunes store log-in and password.

After hitting Done, repeat these same steps on the other computers in your home. iTunes only allows a maximum of five computers to be authorized, so if you're managing more than that, choose carefully.
librarylist.PNG
4 of 6 Apple
After you're done, you should see each of the other libraries appear in the left window of iTunes. From here, you can browse and play selections, and best of all, transfer content out of one library and into another.
notinlibrary.PNG
5 of 6 Apple
To quickly see just the content you don't already have, use the menu in the lower left corner to filter out the duplicates.
transpurchases.PNG
6 of 6 Apple
Use the settings button in the lower right corner to automatically transfer any new iTunes store purchases between libraries. Automatic syncing only applies to purchases made after the setting is switched on, so old purchases will need to be transferred manually.

To see a video version of this tutorial, head over to CNET TV.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos