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In less than two weeks, Apple is going to (hopefully) unveil a new line of iOS devices, probably the new iPhone, and thousands of people are going to join the iOS ecosystem. If you are reading this, you are probably already an iPad owner and have an iTunes account on your desktop or laptop that you use to sync and backup your device.
If there is a new Apple member in your family, or will be in the coming weeks, that does not have a separate computer, you don’t have to force him or her to use your iTunes account. There is a way to set up separate accounts on one computer. You can even set parental restrictions for your children who have just recently talked you into buying them their first iPhone.
We are going to show you how to create a new, blank iTunes library so that your kids, parents, or roommate can sync their device and not have to listen to each other’s tunes.
You will be creating a separate iTunes library for each device on your computer. The first thing you will need to do is close iTunes. Then, if you are using a Mac computer, hold down the Option key and reopen iTunes. If you are using a Windows computer, hold down the Shift key and reopen iTunes.
A window will pop up that asks if you wish to quit, create a library, or choose a library. Select “Create Library…” In the action bar, type in the name of a new iTunes library file, like “Pete’s music,” or “Alternate iTunes.” Select “Save.” iTunes will open with the new library.
With the iTunes window selected, go to your account preferences. On a Mac, select iTunes. Then Preferences. On a Windows computer, select Edit. Then Preferences. Select the “Advanced” section.
Deselect “Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library” and then select “OK.” This will make sure iTunes doesn’t create duplicates of your music in the newly created library folder.
Add music to this new iTunes window. You can either drag and drop file from your computer, or on a Mac, go to the iTunes menu in the upper left corner of your screen and select File. Then select Add to Library. On a Windows computer select File. Then select Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library.
Plug the iPad, iPhone, or iPod into the computer that you wish to sync with this new iTunes library. When complete, remove the device and quit iTunes.
Then, hold down the Option key on a Mac or the Shift key on a Windows computer while opening iTunes.
Select “Choose Library. Select your original iTunes folder and then select “Choose” or “Open” to go back to your own iTunes window.
That’s it. Now you can share iTunes with others on the same computer without having to sync all of the same music, movies, podcasts, or other content. Your library is your own.
» Related posts:
PadGadget’s iPad Tips: How to Transfer Audiobooks from your Computer to your iPad
PadGadget’s iPad Tips: How to Share iCloud Calendars
PadGadget’s iPad Tips: How to Subscribe to iTunes Match
