How to use iTunes Sharing

iTunes is a full featured media player with powerful tools to manage your music library. One of the great features is the ability to share your iTunes library with others on the local network and listen to any available shared libraries. Here’s how to set up iTunes sharing on your local network.

The instructions in this article apply to the desktop versions of iTunes for Mac and Windows. Make sure that you updated iTunes to the latest version .

About iTunes Sharing

iTunes sharing is great for offices, dorms, or homes with multiple computers. Designate up to five computers on a local network (such as your home Wi-Fi network) so they can share their iTunes libraries.

If Shared PC is turned on and iTunes is open, you can play shared items from this PC on other computers on the network, but you cannot import shared items into their libraries. If you want to import items from your iTunes libraries to other computers on your home network, turn on Sharing feature .

You cannot share QuickTime audio files or programs purchased from Audible.com.

How to turn on iTunes sharing

To turn on the iTunes sharing feature:

Open iTunes preferences by selecting iTunes > » Settings» in the menu bar on a Mac, or » Editing» > » Settings» on PC.
Select tab » General access » in the settings window.
Check the box » Share my library on my local network» .
Select » Share entire library» or » Share Selected Playlists » .

To limit the number of iTunes listeners, check the box next to » Require password» and enter the password.
If you only want to share part of your library, check the boxes next to each type of content you want to share.
Select OK, when you’re done.
You have shared your iTunes library.

How to Find and Use iTunes Shared Libraries

Any shared iTunes libraries that you can access appear in the left sidebar of your iTunes library along with your own music and playlists . Select a shared library to view it as if it were yours.

If the iTunes Library sidebar isn’t showing, select » View» > » Show lateral panel» .

Change Firewall Settings to Allow iTunes Sharing

An active firewall may prevent iTunes sharing on your network. Here’s how to get around it.

Mac firewall

If you’re using the default Mac firewall, changing the settings will allow iTunes sharing:

Go to the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and select » System Settings» .
Select Security and Privacy .
Select tab firewall .
If the firewall is off, you don’t need to do anything. If the firewall is enabled, select lock at the bottom of the window and enter your administrator password .
Select » Firewall Settings » .
Select iTunes in the list and switch it to » Allow incoming connections», using the arrows on the right side of the line.
Select OK, to save changes.
iTunes sharing is now allowed.

Windows Firewall

There are many firewalls available for Windows. Refer to your instructions for creating an exception for iTunes. If you are using firewall Windows Defender default for Windows 10:

Enter firewall in the Windows search bar and select Windows Defender Firewall .
Select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall in the left menu.
Select Change settings .
Scroll through the list of applications and check the box next to iTunes a then check Private and public boxes on the right. Select OK, to save changes.

If iTunes is not listed, select » Allow another application» and select «iTunes» in Windows Explorer.

LifeWire
iTunes sharing is now allowed.