iLoungeiLounge
  • News
    • Apple
      • AirPods Pro
      • AirPlay
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • HealthKit
      • HomeKit
      • HomePod
      • iOS 13
      • Apple Pay
      • Apple TV
      • Siri
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
      • CES
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Font ResizerAa
iLoungeiLounge
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Apple
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Follow US

How-to › Ask iLounge

ArticlesAsk iLoungeiTunesMac

Running iTunes from an external hard drive

Last updated: May 16, 2021 5:03 pm UTC
By Jesse Hollington

Q: I am currently trying to clear up my computer hard drive and transferring things onto an external hard drive. I am aware that the iTunes library can be backed up to the external hard drive but can iTunes run using the hard drive as the source for the files? In other words, can I delete the files from my computer hard drive and use my external drive only?


– Bryan

A: Absolutely! You simply need to relocate the iTunes Music folder and the iTunes database in two separate steps onto the external hard drive.

Once you have done this, iTunes will run almost entirely from your external hard drive. The only exception will be your iTunes preference settings, which remain stored in a preference file on your computer.

However, these preference files as extremely small compared to the iTunes library database and media content.

Check out our recent tutorial on Transferring your iTunes Library for detailed instructions on how to do this.


Latest News
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Chip 16GB RAM/512GB is $250 Off
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Chip 16GB RAM/512GB is $250 Off
1 Min Read
Noise and Static on AirPods Pro 3 Still Unfixed
Noise and Static on AirPods Pro 3 Still Unfixed
1 Min Read
New iMac with 24-inch OLED Display May be Brighter With 600 Nits
New iMac with 24-inch OLED Display May be Brighter With 600 Nits
1 Min Read
The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air 256GB Is $250 Off
The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air 256GB Is $250 Off
1 Min Read
Internal Kernel Debug Kit from Apple Reveals Tests for a MacBook with A15 Chip
Internal Kernel Debug Kit from Apple Reveals Tests for a MacBook with A15 Chip
1 Min Read
Apple Currently In Talks With Suppliers for Chip Assembly & Packaging of iPhones in India
Apple Currently In Talks With Suppliers for Chip Assembly & Packaging of iPhones in India
1 Min Read
Apple Allows Easier Battery Replacement For M5 MacBook Pro with 14-inch Display
Apple Allows Easier Battery Replacement For M5 MacBook Pro with 14-inch Display
1 Min Read
The Apple Watch SE 3 44mm GPS is $50 Off
The Apple Watch SE 3 44mm GPS is $50 Off
1 Min Read
20th Anniversary iPhone May Launch in Two Years
20th Anniversary iPhone May Launch in Two Years
1 Min Read
Better Image Generation Capabilities and Apple Music Integration Coming to ChatGPT
Better Image Generation Capabilities and Apple Music Integration Coming to ChatGPT
1 Min Read
A20 Pro Chip Coming to Next Gen iPad Mini OLED
A20 Pro Chip Coming to Next Gen iPad Mini OLED
1 Min Read
Amazon has the AirTag 4 Pack Marked $29 off
Amazon has the AirTag 4 Pack Marked $29 off
1 Min Read

iLounge logo

iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
iLounge © 2001 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Submit News
  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?