Share iTunes libraries on a local network

Up to five computers on a local network can share their iTunes libraries with each other. If a shared computer is turned on and iTunes is open, others in the network can play its shared items, but can’t import shared items into their libraries.

If you want to import items from iTunes libraries on other computers in your home network, you can turn on Home Sharing.

Sharing is intended for personal use only.

Share your library with other computers

  1. Choose iTunes > Preferences, click Sharing, and select “Share my library on my local network.”

  2. Select the items you want to share.

  3. To require users to enter a password before they can see your shared items, select “Require password,” and enter a password.

If you choose to share your entire library, its name appears in the Library pop-up menu (below Home Shares) on other local computers set up to look for shared libraries. To change the name others see, choose iTunes > Preferences, click General, and type a new name in the Library Name field.

Play items from a shared library

  1. Choose a library from the Library pop-up menu near the top of the iTunes window.

  2. To play an item, do either of the following:

    • Select the item and click the Play button Arrowhead pointing to the right.

    • Double-click the item.

Turn off sharing

  1. Choose iTunes > Preferences, and click Sharing.

  2. Deselect “Share my library on my local network.”

You can share movies; radio station links; and MP3, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV, and AAC files. You can’t share programs purchased from Audible.com or QuickTime sound files.