I need to have 2 different music libraries, one for me, one for my wife. Two different iPhones, but only one Windows 11 Pro PC computer to manage the music.
Will Apple Music allow this?
If so how?
Warning, I just started using Apple Music and Apple Devices 2 days ago.
Thanks in advance for your help, Fred
iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 18
Yes. 2 ways, neither are the most convenient though:
It refers to iTunes, but works the same way with the Apple Music app.
turingtest2 wrote:
Hi Phil,
Are you sure about 2/3? I've not been able to successfully change libraries other than by renaming the Apple Music folder so that a new library is created, and then renaming folders again to swap them around. Nothing to suggest multiple libraries are supported in the Apple Music User Guide for Windows - Apple Support. Multiple user accounts should work, but that has its own drawbacks.
tt2
Your right. Just tested it out t be sure and it does not work with the Apple Music App. Somehow I remember it working with it at some point, but maybe I was confused or remembering iTunes. My bad.
In which case, then, removing Apple Music app and installing iTunes instead would make it work. Of course this requires removal any of the other Apple Apps. TV and Devices if they are installed.
The Apple Music app for Windows is very limited in features.
Apple operates on the premise that regular people who use their devices don't have a need for exotic setups like 2 or more libraries, so just does not take the time to craft solutions for niche requirements like this one which will be used by a very small number of users.
For the vast majority of users, this is not an issue.
For the niche users that require a secondary library, this is not very convenient, but can be done.
Apple doesn't go out of their way to make it difficult, they just don't go out of there way to simplify it since its hardly worth it unfortunately.
For you, just making a user account for your Wife on your Windows PC and letting her sync her device when she needs to should be the simplest solution.
You are of course free to offer Apple feedback and if enough people do, they may choose to add an option for this in some way.
click here ➜ Feedback - Apple Music - Apple
Hi Phil,
Are you sure about 2/3? I've not been able to successfully change libraries other than by renaming the Apple Music folder so that a new library is created, and then renaming folders again to swap them around. Nothing to suggest multiple libraries are supported in the Apple Music User Guide for Windows - Apple Support. Multiple user accounts should work, but that has its own drawbacks.
tt2
Phil you are a very kind person to offer up an explanation for Apple's arrogance.
I have been fighting my problems now for 6 days, talked or chatted to over 20 people. So far only 2 people have been knowledgeable and able to get me to this point. Most made it worse or just wasted my time.
Using a single computer to build libraries for two people would not be difficult if the Apple programmers would realize that the world doesn't revolve around them, it revolves around their few million customers and there needs.
They are missing one key concept -- think ahead. Don't try to work around the past. They bailed on iTunes and essentially created a two headed monster. They could have stopped and done it right, but that takes foresight and planning.
Cheers, Fred
Hi Fred,
Firstly I'd advise you to switch to iTunes rather than use Apple Music for Windows. As noted each of Apple Music/Devices/TV need to be uninstalled first. If you don't already have iTunes it can be downloaded here:
In iTunes you can import all of the music that you each have into one library, making separate playlists for the music you each want. I used to manage content for five devices (the kids have fled the nest) using keywords in the comments field, e.g. Alice/Bob/Charlie would indicate tracks that each of those users wanted, and then a set of smart playlists with rules along the lines of Comments contains Bob would pick out the right tracks for each user. There is an option when syncing to sync with a selection of playlists, and each device remembers that selection from one sync session to the next. As you add new content to the library you flag it accordingly and each user gets the tracks they want when they update. There are, of course, many other ways to go about the same task.
The approach above might in principle work with Apple Music, but I've found it has so many other limitations when compared to iTunes that I won't recommend it to anyone at this point. It lacks features to rip CDs, import or export playlists, support multiple libraries, or make use of any of the library of scripts that I've built over the years to make bulk changes in iTunes.
tt2
Yesterday I was told by a senior advisor from Apple Support to dump iTunes because it was being discontinued and to use Apple Devices and Apple Music because it was new.
The problem I was having was that my iPhone via Music showed it was "zeroed out", but when I plugged it into iTunes via a USB cable it showed there was music on it when I went to "Device Music" it indicated there was music.
The reason for all of this is that the MP3tag program corrupted the title vs song information when I updated some old songs. I have never used Apple Subscription Services, I ripped all of my CDs and uploaded then via iTunes about 25 years ago.
I am now stuck between the "devil and the deep blue sea". I now have mis-mash of iTunes, Apple Music and Apple Devices on my Windows 11 Pro computer. Not quite sure which way to turn. Wishing I had never started this project. I have spent over 20 hours talking with Apple Support via "Chat' or "Call".
Even this service indicates how poorly all Apple software is written. It can't keep the conversation in a sequential order.
Not quite sure on how to unscramble the mess that has been created for me by Apple.
Thanks, Fred
Visit https://discussions.apple.com/profile/preferences, scroll down to Default thread sort and choose Oldest, then click Submit.
Uninstall Apple Music and Apple Devices. Even if Apple stop updating iTunes for here on out (unlikely) the current build of iTunes should work for quite some time. I can still use a seven year old version on Mojave for example. Heck, I still use a 22 year old application to manage my website.
Please go into some more detail about the error you made with MP3 tag. I have a script called ExportImport that can potentially be used to reverse unwanted changes to metadata. The basic idea is that you load up an old copy of your library from the Previous iTunes Libraries folder, use the script to export the original metadata you need to recover, swap back to the current library, then import the data you exported restoring the lost data. In some cases you may need to temporarily rename the media folder before the export phase so that the old version of the library cannot read the current metadata from the tracks in question, then restore the original media folder name before the import phase.
See also Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy - Apple Community. Another retired piece of software that still works perfectly, and for which I've yet to find a better replacement.
tt2
I found the Sort by in 6 point type almost grayed out at the bottom of my first message. Looked for it at the very, very bottom twice, before I saw it at the top. Thanks :-) But as I type my reply to you, below this message is an answer to Phil on Aug 4 at 9:23. They just don't get it.
I will dump Apple Devices and Music for sure. Although it was around 20 years ago when I last used iTunes to sync music I still like fewer programs to do the job. Besides I ran into another problem with the new software. I am on a family plan with my son and we have used all of the managed devices, so it was time to remove one. It would let me. For sure ADM is going. Done with that headache.
My MP3tag problem is actually being caused by MusicBrainz. That wasn't around, or I never used it back then. It is changing the name of the songs so the name does not match the tune. Unfortunately it drives me crazy and I have to have it right.
Because I am so old school I had numerous backup copies of my music and I recovered easily.
The reason I got into this pickle is that I found an App named Longplay in the Apple app store. It essentially treats all your albums like old LP albums by showing cover art. It is more about listening and less about fiddling around. It is really great for CarPlay while you are driving. Not much reading required, just pick the picture you like.
Off to undo the Apple Devices and Music and resurrect iTunes.
Thanks for all the help, Fred
Is there a really good article or app note on how to remove all traces of Apple Device, Apple Music and iTunes?
After doing what I thought right I am almost where I started.
On my iPhone I have 12 songs.
Below in iTunes on my device > Music I have 44.
Thanks, Fred
If you're able to view music items within iTunes then the newer apps have all been removed. If the library doesn't show the content you would expect try Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash - Apple Community.
tt2
Thank you so much for the info.
It seems that Apple has studied very carefully, or written the book, on how to make all things difficult for their customers.
Phil0124 wrote:
The Apple Music app for Windows is very limited in features.
You are not wrong.
tt2
Use Apple Music to manage libraries for 2 different phones
