Using the Music App in MacOS to share my music library when there are multiple users on the computer

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Level 1

8 points

Using the Music App in MacOS to share my music library when there are multiple users on the computer

My wife and I each have our own 2019 Retina iMacs. I have ~260 GB local Apple Music library based on ~2200 CDs I've imported. I share my Apple Music library at home, and access it frequently via Apple TVs that are connected to receivers & speakers. My login is the default on the Apple TVs. My wife has a small Apple Music library that is not shared, and she seldom uses it.

We now only need 1 computer and will upgrade to an M4 Mac Mini so we can use the current and future versions of MacOS. If I'm logged into my account with the Music app running and being shared, what will happen when my wife logs into her account and starts using the computer? Will sharing my music library stop, or will it keep sharing? Are there any other problems I might be missing? I plan to store the Music Library & database and my large Photo Library & database on an external SSD.

I know I can experiment, but hoped to learn without setting everything up and testing. I'll do that if necessary.

We have Apple Music via family subscription, but for *reasons*, I have not synced my local library with Apple Music. I'm unsure if I ever will, but am still looking at the possibility. I do like the multi-channel mixes on many Apple Music songs.

(One *reason* is I'm a luddite and have alphabetized all of my music by [last name, first name] for artists with 2 names. I'm considering converting to alpha by first name like the rest of the world...)

Posted on Oct 8, 2025 10:18 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

202,301 points

Oct 8, 2025 10:50 PM in response to adamcala

“Using the Music App in MacOS to share my music library when there are multiple users on the computer”

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Q1. “[…]If I'm logged into my account with the Music app running and being shared, what will happen when my wife logs into her account and starts using the computer? Will sharing my music library stop, or will it keep sharing? Are there any other problems I might be missing?[…]”

A1.

Problem: A device can only be associated to one Apple Account at a time.

Virtual Machines:

Using a Virtual Machine, you can associate that as its own Apple Account, and access it in that. Sharing its contents to the current user, you’d have access to these two accounts. Virtual Machines are annual subscriptions; so, you’d have to pay around $99USD annually,

Family Sharing:

Another option to use is to set up Family Sharing. Elsewise, you’d have to purchase it all again.

Q2. “[…]I plan to store the Music Library & database and my large Photo Library & database on an external SSD.[…]”

A2. Photos Server:

As for the photos info on the external SSD, you can share it across users, through file sharing. Being it is on an external drive, you might be able to hook this up directly to your router, and access it through that (as a server).

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