How to Add MP3 Files to iTunes or Apple Music on PC or Mac

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Plus, how to change your import preferences
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Do you have MP3 files from the web, a CD, or a non-Apple music player that you’d like to listen to in iTunes or Apple Music? There are several ways you can add your MP3s and other music files to your iTunes or Apple Music library. You can drag and drop music into the iTunes/Music window or browse for files and folders on your computer. You can also rip music off of your CDs directly into iTunes or Music. This wikiHow article teaches you how to add MP3s to your iTunes or Music library on PC or Mac.

Quick Steps to Import MP3s to iTunes (Windows)

  1. Open iTunes .
  2. Click File in the menu bar at the top.
  3. Click Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library .
  4. Select the file(s) or folder(s) you want to add.
  5. Click Open or Select Folder .
  6. Locate your music under the Library tab.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using iTunes

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  1. You can find iTunes in your Start menu. It has a white icon with two music notes.
    • If you don't have iTunes installed, you can install it from the Microsoft Store.
    • iTunes is only available on Windows and macOS 13 (High Sierra) and earlier. If you are using a newer version of macOS, you'll need to use Apple Music instead.
  2. The file menu is in the menu bar at the top. If you just want to add a couple of files, click Add File to Library . If you want to add an entire folder full of music, click Add Folder to Library . [1]
    • This method will only work for files and folders that are already located on your computer. If you’re trying to import MP3s from a website, you’ll need to download them to your computer first. [2]
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  3. Use the file browser to navigate to the files or folders you want to add to your library. Click the files you want to add.
    • When you add a folder, all of the music in any subfolders will be added as well.
    • If you want to add multiple files or folders, hold Ctrl and click the files you want to add.
  4. These items will be added to your iTunes music library. [3]
  5. This will display the music in your iTunes library, including the music you just added.
    • You can also click the Playlists tab and select the Recently Added playlist to view all of your new music.
  6. You can also add your music files to iTunes by dragging and dropping files and folders into the iTunes window. To do so, open iTunes and navigate to the files or folders you want to add in a separate File Explorer window. Drag and drop the files or folders into the iTunes window.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Apple Music on Mac

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  1. The Music app comes pre-installed on macOS. It has a pink icon with an image of music notes. Click the Music icon in the Dock or in the Applications folder
  2. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  3. This will open a file browser.
    • If you want to add the files to your library without copying them to your Media folder, go to Music > Settings and click the Files tab. Uncheck the box next to “Copy files to media folder when adding to library.” [4]
      • After you uncheck this option select File > Add to Library instead of File > Import to start the import process.
  4. You can select individual music files or folders containing music files. Click the files or folders to select them.
    • If you want to select more than one file or folder, hold Command and click the files or folders you want to add.
  5. This adds the files to your library.
    • By default, when you add MP3s to your library, they will be copied to the Music folder. You can still find the original file in its original location.
  6. Alternatively, you can drag and drop individual files or folders from Finder into the Music app window to add files to your Library. [5]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Ripping CDs in iTunes or Music

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  1. You can rip the music from your audio CDs directly into iTunes or Music, allowing you to create a digital copy of your entire physical music collection. The process is almost identical in both iTunes and Apple Music, with very minor differences.
  2. Insert the CD into your computer's disc drive. Virtually any disc drive will work as long as it can read CDs. [6]
    • If you don't see the CD information pop up, click the CD icon in the upper left corner.
    • The first time you insert a CD, you may be prompted to choose what happens when you insert a CD in the future. You can also change these settings at any time in Edit > Preferences > General (iTunes) or Music > Settings > General (Music). [7] Select from:
      • Show CD (shows the CD in iTunes, but doesn’t automatically play or import tracks)
      • Play CD (CD will begin playing automatically)
      • Ask to Import CD (CD will be opened in iTunes and you’ll see a prompt asking you if you want to import the tracks)
      • Import CD (iTunes will start importing the CD automatically)
      • Import CD and Eject (iTunes will automatically import the tracks, then eject when it’s done)
  3. When a CD is inserted, you will be asked if you want to import the music to your iTunes or Music library. Click Yes to confirm.
    • If you don’t want to import all the music on the CD, click No . You should now be able to uncheck any songs that you don’t want to import.
      • If you don’t see an option to uncheck any tracks, go to Edit > Preferences > General and select List view checkboxes (iTunes) or go to Music > Settings > General and select Songs list checkboxes (Music).
  4. iTunes or Music will automatically look up the information for the CD you insert, but sometimes multiple entries will come up for the same disc. If you're prompted to, select the entry that best matches the disc you inserted.
    • If you are not connected to the internet, iTunes or Music will not be able to retrieve the information for your CD and you will have to fill it out manually.
    • If you inserted a disc that was burned elsewhere, iTunes or Music may not be able to retrieve the information for it, and you'll have to fill it out manually.
  5. If you haven't disabled this setting, you'll be prompted to import the disc once it's been detected. Click OK to begin ripping the audio files to your computer.
  6. If you weren't asked to import the disc after it was detected, click the disc button at the top of the iTunes/Music window and then click the Import CD button. Click OK in the window that appears. [8]
    • If you specifically want MP3 files, select MP3 Encoder from the Import Using menu. The default AAC format will result in smaller, higher-quality files than MP3 that are completely compatible with iTunes/Music.
  7. It's at the top of the screen. This is where you can view all your music.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Changing Your Import Preferences

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  1. By default, iTunes/Apple Music converts MP3 files to AAC when you import them. However, you can change your encoding settings if you’d rather import music in MP3 format. To get started, go to Edit > Preferences in iTunes or Music > Settings in Music.
  2. From the General (iTunes) or Files (Music) tab, you’ll be able to adjust your import settings.
  3. A new window will open.
  4. You can also use the Setting dropdown to select the quality and size of your imported files. When you’re done, click OK , then click OK again to close the Preferences/Settings menu.
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      Tips

      • iTunes/Music does not support any MP3 players beyond iOS devices. If you want to add your iTunes/Music music to another MP3 player, you'll need to add the files directly by following the instructions for your specific player. See Download Music to MP3 Players for more details.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/import-items-already-on-your-computer-itns3081/windows
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/import-songs-from-the-internet-itns2949/windows
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/itunes/itns3081/windows
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/music/import-items-already-on-your-computer-mus3081/mac
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/music/mus3081/mac
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/import-songs-from-cds-itns2935/windows
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/music/import-songs-from-cds-mus2935/mac
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/itunes/itns2935/windows

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open iTunes.
      2. Go to File > Add to Library .
      3. Select files or folders to add.
      4. Click Open .

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