# Use macOS djay library on iPad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Tags:** macOS, iOS\ **Created:** [October 2, 2026, 7:19am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405 "2026-10-02T07:19:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![discoian](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/discoian/32/24384_2.png) [@discoian](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/discoian)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 7:19am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/1 "2026-10-02T07:19:39Z")
Generally, I use djay pro on macos. All my music is on an external drive. Am I able to plug that drive into my ipad and use the same library or are there a few steps I need to go through first? ---
**Author:** ![DJ\_A\_Diffrance](https://community.algoriddim.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@DJ\_A\_Diffrance](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/DJ_A_Diffrance)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/3 "2026-10-02T16:05:46Z")
i would use OneLibrary. It’s been GREAT on my end. no need to reanalyze files, beatgrids, etc… ---
**Author:** ![Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/slak_jaw/32/6517_2.png) [@Slak\_Jaw](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Slak_Jaw)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/4 "2026-10-02T16:39:12Z")
Hi @discoian, I agree with @DJ_A_Diffrance, OneLibrary should be well suited to your workflow. Just note that currently it is read-only on iOS, so changes you make on your iPad cannot be written back for use on your Mac. It sounds like your main setup is on macOS anyway and you’ll be using your iPad more as a backup anyway. See linked topic below for more info: > **[What is OneLibrary? | Algoriddim Support](https://help.algoriddim.com/topic/using-djay/what-is-onelibrary)** > > OneLibrary is a universal DJ library format developed with AlphaTheta. It standardizes playlists, cue points, loops, and beatgrids across djay, rekordbox, and supported hardware such as CDJ and XDJ systems. This guide explains what OneLibrary does,... ---
**Author:** ![Armigo](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/armigo/32/2239_2.png) [@Armigo](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Armigo)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 5:45am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/6 "2026-10-04T05:45:39Z")
The solution enlisted here, would require that you get a 2nd external drive to do the “OneLibrary” thing. If i understand well, one library copies your files into folders broken down into artist, album folders. This means, if you were to use your existing drive, all tracks will be duplicated into separate artist, album folders (disrepecting your current folder hierachies. I could be wrong though - haven’t used OneLibrary ---
**Author:** ![DJ\_A\_Diffrance](https://community.algoriddim.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@DJ\_A\_Diffrance](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/DJ_A_Diffrance)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/7 "2026-10-04T14:55:50Z")
I never needed an extra drive. The technology takes your existing playlists and exports them to a format that can be read across multiple devices and platforms. It shows up just like any other music source (tidal, Apple Music, spotify, etc…). Yes, it will create its own database (the way alpha theta structures it) but it won’t ‘disrespect’ your existing setup. It adds to it, giving you an easy way to do move between your devices. That’s been my experience. Try it with one small playlist to get a feel for it. It’s really a big deal. We’re the first ones to get it (Djay users). The other softwares don’t have it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Armigo](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/armigo/32/2239_2.png) [@Armigo](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Armigo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/8 "2026-10-06T17:22:17Z")
> [@DJ\_A\_Diffrance](#): > > Yes, it will create its own database (the way alpha theta structures it) Yes, that, AND copies your files afresh intoa separate folder structure. That’s what I mean by duplication in this case when the owner wants to use his existing external SSD library on an ipad. Esentially, it means if his library has 1TB of media files, his SSD needs to be 2TB or more, otherwise the process won’t work. OR he needs a separate 1TB SSD to do the same That’s what I meant. ---
**Author:** ![discoian](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/discoian/32/24384_2.png) [@discoian](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/discoian)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/9 "2026-10-06T18:30:20Z")
in one respect one library is the answer but it’s also not. If I used my main office computer as the music source, and created a one library drive, would that work on my laptop AND iPad? If I added extra cue points would those sync back to the office Machine when connected? ---
**Author:** ![Armigo](https://community.algoriddim.com/user_avatar/community.algoriddim.com/armigo/32/2239_2.png) [@Armigo](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/Armigo)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 11:27am UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/10 "2026-10-07T11:27:13Z")
> [@discoian](#): > > If I used my main office computer as the music source, and created a one library drive, would that work on my laptop AND iPad? yes > [@discoian](#): > > If I added extra cue points would those sync back to the office Machine when connected? yes for cues created from laptop (bi-directional) no for cues created from ipad (unidirectional) ---
**Author:** ![DJ\_A\_Diffrance](https://community.algoriddim.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@DJ\_A\_Diffrance](https://community.algoriddim.com/u/DJ_A_Diffrance)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.algoriddim.com/t/use-macos-djay-library-on-ipad/43405/11 "2026-10-07T15:16:33Z")
I wouldn’t use it to do an entire library all at once. If you have a routine you’re working on, or a gig you’re about to do, use OneLibrary. If you’re concerned about cue points, and loops, make sure you have the icloud sync enabled on all your devices and they’ll sync up (after you import them onto ipad). Do a search on how that works and you should be good. Otherwise, you’ll have to reanalyze your entire library every time you move from one device to another. I don’t think the software bakes the metadata into the files yet, so right now that’s the workflow.