Share your iTunes library over your home network

Music Sharing

Music Sharing allows you to stream music with little to no setup. If you don't put a password on your shared iTunes library, anyone on your network can see your iTunes library, the library name, and its contents.

You must have iTunes open on your computer for other people to see your shared library and playlists. Sharing is intended for personal use and works only with computers on the same home network.

1. Open iTunes.
2. Mac: From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen, choose iTunes > Preferences.
   Windows: Press the Control and B keys on your keyboard to open the iTunes menu bar. Then choose Edit > Preferences. Learn more about menus in iTunes for Windows.
3. Click the Sharing tab.
4. Select “Share my library on my local network."
   
5. If you want to restrict access to your library, you can password protect it. Select “Require password” and then enter a password in the box.
6. Click OK.

Your shared iTunes library appears in the Shared section in the upper-right corner of iTunes. Anyone on the same home network can see and access your music. If you selected "Require password," but didn't enter a password, only your library name can be seen.

Set your library name

1. Mac: From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen, choose iTunes > Preferences.
   Windows: Press the Control and B keys on your keyboard to open the iTunes menu bar. Choose Edit > Preferences. Learn more about menus in iTunes for Windows.
2. On the General tab, type your preferred library name in the box next to Library Name.

Home Sharing

Home Sharing allows you to transfer content to another computer or stream to other devices. To see your library and its contents on a different computer, you must be signed in with the same Apple ID and password.

To turn on Home Sharing, follow the steps below:

1. Mac: From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen, choose File > Home Sharing > Turn on Home Sharing.
   Windows: Press the Control and B keys on your keyboard to open the iTunes menu bar. Choose File > Home Sharing > Turn on Home Sharing. Learn more about menus in iTunes for Windows.
   
2. Enter your Apple ID and password.
   
3. Click Turn on Home Sharing.
4. If your computer isn't authorized with your Apple ID, iTunes might ask you if you want to authorize it. Learn more about authorization.
5. Click Done. Sharing will disappear unless it sees a shared iTunes Library on the network.

On another Mac or PC, open iTunes. Repeat the steps above to turn on Home Sharing. You can turn Home Sharing on for up to 5 Mac or PC computers using iTunes on the home network. 

Your shared iTunes library will appear on other computers, iOS devices using iOS 4.3 or later, and Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) only if those devices have Home Sharing turned on, use the same Apple ID, and are connected to the same home network.

Learn more

• Some content, such as apps, won't appear in Music Sharing or the main Home Sharing view.
• Apple Music content can't be shared using Music Sharing or Home Sharing.
• Learn more about Home Sharing.
• Get help with Home Sharing issues.