How To Transfer Movies from PC to iTunes: A Definitive Guide

Transferring movies from your PC to iTunes, now technically the Apple TV app in recent macOS versions, can be achieved through a few straightforward methods. Primarily, you’ll utilize the “Add File to Library” feature within the app itself, ensuring your movie files are recognized and integrated into your Apple ecosystem.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Apple TV App and its Role

For many years, iTunes was the central hub for managing Apple devices and media. However, with the introduction of macOS Catalina, Apple split iTunes into separate apps: Music, Podcasts, TV, and Books. On PCs and older macOS versions, iTunes remains the primary application for managing media and syncing with iOS devices. This guide primarily focuses on using the iTunes application as that’s where this function will be found on Windows PC’s.

Regardless of which version you are using, both the iTunes and TV app utilize a similar method for adding files to the library. This process essentially imports the movie files into the app’s database, making them playable and accessible on your Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, Apple TV) through iCloud syncing (where applicable).

The Simplest Method: Adding Files Directly

This is the most common and direct approach. Before you start, ensure you have the latest version of iTunes or the Apple TV app installed on your PC.

Step-by-Step Guide

Open iTunes (or the Apple TV App): Launch the application on your Windows PC.
Navigate to the “File” Menu: Look at the top left corner of the application window.
Select “Add File to Library” or “Add Folder to Library”: “Add File to Library” is for individual movie files, while “Add Folder to Library” is ideal if you have multiple movies stored in a single folder.
Browse and Select Your Movie(s): A file explorer window will open. Navigate to the location where your movie file(s) are stored. Select the file(s) or folder you want to add and click “Open.”
Locate Your Movie in the Library: Once imported, your movie should appear in the “Movies” section of your library.

Important Considerations

File Formats: iTunes supports a limited range of file formats. Generally, MP4, MOV, and M4V are the most compatible. If your movie is in a different format (like AVI, MKV), you may need to convert it using a video converter before importing.
Metadata: iTunes reads metadata from the movie files (title, director, actors, etc.). If the metadata is missing or incorrect, you can edit it manually within iTunes.
Storage: Ensure you have sufficient storage space on your PC’s hard drive where iTunes stores its library.
iCloud: With recent versions of MacOS, the TV app might allow your films to be uploaded to iCloud for access on all devices.

Converting Incompatible Video Files

If your movie is in a format that iTunes doesn’t support, you’ll need to convert it. Several free and paid video converters are available.

Conversion Process

Download and Install a Converter: Choose a video converter and install it on your PC.
Load Your Movie File: Open the converter and select the movie file you want to convert.
Choose an Output Format: Select a compatible format like MP4 as the output format.
Configure Settings (Optional): Adjust settings like resolution, bitrate, and audio quality. Be mindful of balancing quality and file size.
Start the Conversion: Initiate the conversion process.
Add the Converted File to iTunes: Once the conversion is complete, add the converted movie file to iTunes using the “Add File to Library” method.

Syncing Movies to Your Apple Devices

Once the movies are in your iTunes library, you can sync them to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod using a USB cable.

Syncing Steps

Connect Your Device: Connect your Apple device to your PC using a USB cable.
Select Your Device in iTunes: In iTunes, click on the device icon that appears when connected.
Go to the “Movies” Tab: In the device summary, navigate to the “Movies” tab.
Choose Movies to Sync: Select the movies you want to sync to your device.
Apply Changes: Click the “Sync” button to start the syncing process.

iCloud Considerations (For MacOS Users)

If you are using the Apple TV app on macOS, you might have the option to upload your purchased or imported movies to iCloud. This allows you to stream them on all your Apple devices without needing to manually sync them. This option relies heavily on sufficient iCloud storage and a stable internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about transferring movies to iTunes:

Q: Why won’t iTunes recognize my movie file?
- A: This is usually due to an unsupported file format. Convert the movie to a compatible format like MP4, MOV, or M4V using a video converter.
Q: Can I transfer movies directly from a DVD to iTunes?
- A: No, you cannot directly transfer movies from a DVD. You’ll need to rip the DVD first using specialized software and then convert the ripped files to a compatible format before adding them to iTunes. This is a complex process and may have legal implications depending on your region and the DVD’s copyright protection.
Q: How do I edit the metadata (title, actor, director) of a movie in iTunes?
- A: Right-click on the movie in iTunes, select “Get Info,” and then go to the “Details” tab. Here, you can edit various metadata fields.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of movies I can add to iTunes?
- A: No, there is no hard limit on the number of movies you can add to iTunes. The limit is determined by the available storage space on your PC and, if applicable, your iCloud storage.
Q: Can I stream movies from iTunes to my Apple TV?
- A: Yes, if you use Home Sharing or have movies stored in the cloud, you can stream them to your Apple TV. Ensure Home Sharing is enabled in iTunes (File > Home Sharing) and that your Apple TV is signed in with the same Apple ID.
Q: What does “Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library” mean in iTunes preferences?
- A: If this option is selected, iTunes will copy the movie file to its own media folder when you add it to the library. If unchecked, iTunes will simply reference the movie file from its original location. Choosing to copy will use more disk space but simplifies library management.
Q: I’ve added a movie to iTunes, but it doesn’t appear in the “Movies” section. Why?
- A: Make sure the movie’s “Media Kind” is set to “Movie” in its “Get Info” settings. Right-click the movie, select “Get Info,” go to the “Options” tab, and change the “Media Kind” if necessary.
Q: How can I delete a movie from my iTunes library without deleting the actual file on my computer?
- A: Right-click on the movie, select “Delete,” and then choose “Keep File.” This removes the movie from the iTunes library but leaves the file intact on your PC.
Q: I’m using iCloud Music Library. Will my imported movies automatically sync to iCloud as well?
- A: Generally, iCloud Music Library primarily focuses on music. For movies to sync to iCloud and become available on other devices, you will most likely need to make sure “Home Videos” are enabled in your iCloud settings and potentially, on MacOS, use the Apple TV app which offers iCloud syncing for films.
Q: My synced movies look blurry on my iPhone/iPad. What can I do?
- A: This is often due to low resolution of the original movie file or aggressive compression during conversion. Try converting the movie to a higher resolution with a higher bitrate before importing it into iTunes. Note that this will increase the file size.
Q: Can I transfer movies from my Android phone to iTunes?
- A: Yes, first transfer the movie file from your Android phone to your PC using a USB cable. Then, add the movie to iTunes using the “Add File to Library” method.
Q: iTunes keeps crashing when I try to add a large movie file. What’s happening?
- A: This could be due to insufficient RAM or a corrupt file. Try closing other applications to free up RAM. If that doesn’t work, try converting the movie file to a different format, as this sometimes resolves corruption issues. Ensure your iTunes application is fully updated as well.

By following these steps and addressing common issues, you can seamlessly transfer movies from your PC to iTunes and enjoy them on your Apple devices. Remember to always prioritize file compatibility and ensure you have adequate storage space for your media library.