This is nothing new, but to free up some space on my MacBook I decided to move my iTunes library to a network drive on my NAS. I got some inspiration from this old German video. I tried to collect all relevant information for doing so.
I did it by following this steps
- I closed iTunes
- I mounted a network drive with AFP
- I copied my iTunes library folder to a folder on the network drive (it is important to keep the folder name "iTunes"!)
- I opened iTunes while pressing the "alt" key. Now you can create a library or choose one from another location
- I set the new iTunes folder
- I deleted the local iTunes library
My iTunes settings look like this now, iTunes took over the selected folder:
Keep in mind the following
- You cannot open the iTunes library with two accounts at the same time.
- When you choose to set "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" iTunes will set your folder structure for artists an albums and also the file pattern for your songs. You have to think about that, because iTunes touches and changes the files again and again (for example to adjust the metadata).
- iTunes library folder and music folder can be separated when "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" is disabled. Then you can just add files from another location and it will be kept there without making a copy to the iTunes library folder.
- One disadvantage for keeping the folders separated can occur with albums which you bought from iTunes you get song duplicates. This problem is dragged along when syncing music to iPhone.