Remotely Add Songs to iTunes on Mac

Discovering iTunes' Hidden Feature

While assisting a friend with an iTunes installation on a Windows computer, I came across a folder named "Automatically Add To iTunes" within the "iTunes Music" directory. I hadn't previously been aware of this folder's existence. Further investigation revealed a comparable folder on my Mac, nestled amongst numerous artist folders.

This folder functions as a designated drop zone for compatible multimedia files, automatically importing them into iTunes and subsequently synchronizing them with devices like iPods, iPhones, and iPads. It's surprising to me that Apple has positioned such a beneficial feature in a relatively obscure location, as many iTunes users seem unaware of its functionality.

Remote Song Addition via Dropbox

Considering the convenience of a Dropbox service, the potential for remotely and automatically adding songs to iTunes became immediately apparent.

Streamlining iTunes with Dropbox

A small 2GB USB drive, consistently attached to my keychain, has long served as my go-to tool for file transfers between computers, including music files.

Dropbox has somewhat lessened the reliance on this drive. I can now store certain files within my Dropbox folder for automatic synchronization across my home computer and other devices. However, some manual organization remains necessary; files still require moving from the Dropbox folder to their appropriate locations.

Specifically with songs, I previously had to launch iTunes and manually import them into the music library, as simply copying and pasting into the iTunes folder was ineffective. Following import, I would delete the original files to conserve hard drive space.

Implementing the Mac Solution

The process of transferring songs to iTunes from other computers can be significantly simplified. Here’s how I’ve configured it on my Mac:

I created a new folder, named "iTunes Temp", inside my Dropbox folder. (Feel free to customize this name, if you prefer.) This folder serves as the destination for songs I wish to synchronize from other computers.

I utilized Automator to create a folder action. This action automatically moves any content within the "iTunes Temp" folder to the "Automatically Add To iTunes" folder. The chosen actions were "Find Finder Items" and "Move Finder Items", configured to include all file types.

Important note: creating an alias of the "Automatically Add To iTunes" folder within Dropbox on your Mac will not function correctly, as it won't be recognized by a Windows machine. If you have Hazel installed, it can be used as an alternative to Automator.

Adapting the Process for Windows

Is it possible to achieve the same automated song addition in iTunes on Windows? The answer is affirmative. The fundamental setup remains consistent:

Establish an "iTunes Temp" folder within your Dropbox directory.
Transfer files from the "iTunes Temp" folder to the "Automatically Add To iTunes" folder. This requires an application similar to Automator or Hazel to automate the process. File Mover is an older application that, while not as refined as its Mac counterparts, can accomplish the task.

Although this application hasn't received updates recently, I successfully tested it on Windows XP without encountering any issues.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the outlined steps for adding songs to iTunes will significantly enhance your iTunes experience. Any song placed within the "iTunes Temp" folder from any computer – whether local or remote – will be automatically added to your iTunes library. This eliminates the need for manual file organization.

Please share your thoughts, opinions, or any other feedback in the comments section below.