If you have music files stored on your computer that you want to be able to access and play within Apple Music, there are a few different options available depending on where the files are saved and what format they are in. With the latest versions of macOS and iOS, Apple Music can automatically add any music stored locally on your device to your Apple Music library, making downloaded and ripped music easy to integrate with your streaming songs and downloads. Here are some quick answers about getting local files to appear in Apple Music:
Add Local Files to Apple Music on Mac
For music stored on your Mac, the easiest way to add it to Apple Music is to use the Music app preferences:
- Open Music and go to Preferences > Files > Import Settings
- Make sure the box is checked for “Import songs automatically”
- Under “Import from:”, choose “Music” and enable “Add folders”
- Click the “+” icon and navigate to the folders where your local music files are stored to add them
- Check the boxes for the formats you want imported, such as MP3, AAC, WAV, etc.
Once set up, any new music added to your designated local folders will automatically be imported into your Apple Music library. You can also manually initiate an import of all the eligible files already in the folders via the Advanced menu.
Add Local Files Using iTunes on Windows
If you use iTunes on a Windows PC, local music files can be imported by:
- Opening iTunes and going to Edit > Preferences > Advanced
- Under “Import Settings,” check “Share iTunes Library XML with other applications”
- Click OK to save the setting
- Select File > Library > Import Playlist and choose your local music files
This will convert the files if needed and add them to your iTunes library, making them viewable and playable within Apple Music.
Use iTunes File Sharing on iPhone and iPad
On iOS devices, you can add downloaded music files by syncing through iTunes on your computer:
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to computer and open iTunes
- Select your device and go to File Sharing in the sidebar
- Choose Music app and use the “Add” buttons to sync files
- Check “Manually manage music” on the Summary sync page
This copies the files over via direct file transfer instead of through iCloud or Apple Music’s streaming library. The locally stored songs and albums will then be available alongside your Apple Music content.
Upload Tracks from Files App on iPhone/iPad
You can also use the Files app to upload music files stored on your iOS device or cloud storage services:
- Open the Files app and navigate to the folder with your music
- Tap Select and choose the songs you want to upload
- Tap the Share icon and choose Add to Apple Music
This will upload the original files to your iCloud Music Library. The songs will then appear in your Apple Music library. Note that there are upload limits for iCloud.
Add Downloads from Browser on iPhone/iPad
If you download music files on your iPhone or iPad using the browser, you can also add them directly to Apple Music:
- In Safari, tap the Share icon from the Download Manager
- Choose “Add to Apple Music” to upload that file
Again, the upload will match the original file rather than converting it like iTunes.
Use Third-Party Apps
Some third-party iOS apps, like Documents by Readdle, allow you to transfer music files from cloud storage, FTP servers, etc. and play them locally or add them to Apple Music. The process varies by app but typically involves:
- Connecting to the file source within the app
- Downloading the music files you want
- Using a share/export option to add them to Apple Music
Check Apple Music Settings
In addition to getting the files imported, also make sure Apple Music is configured correctly to show your local music:
- Enable “Show Apple Music” in Settings if needed
- Unhide any hidden songs/albums from your library
- Set view settings to “All Music” instead of streaming only
With the right settings and import method, you can seamlessly integrate music you have downloaded or ripped yourself into your Apple Music collection.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are still having issues getting your local files to appear in the Music app, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
- Check that the files are in a supported format – common formats like MP3, AAC, ALAC, WAV should work
- Confirm the music files have properly copied over or uploaded to iCloud Music Library
- Reboot your device and/or restart the Music app
- Toggle the “iCloud Music Library” setting off and back on again
- Make sure you have enough storage space on your device or sufficient iCloud quota
- Check that the music is not Explicit and you have restrictions enabled
- Verify the “Show Apple Music” setting is enabled in Music app options
If you’ve verified the files are properly imported but still not showing, you can also try deleting the Music app data/cache and rebooting to force a refresh.
Alternative Options
If you are unable to get your downloaded music files to properly appear within the Apple Music app, there are a couple alternative options:
- Use a different music player app – there are many third-party iOS music apps that will play local files outside of Apple Music
- Stream the music over your home WiFi network using Plex, Emby, etc. and access it via their apps
- Upload the music to another cloud locker service like Google Play Music or Amazon Music and stream it
While not as convenient as having everything integrated, these options can provide a workaround for playing content Apple Music won’t recognize. You can then choose to hide those items in Apple Music.
Summary
To summarize, here are some of the key options for getting downloaded music files recognized by Apple Music:
- Use Music app preferences to auto-import from folders on Mac
- Import files into iTunes library on Windows PC
- Sync local files from iTunes using iPhone file sharing
- Upload tracks directly from Files app on iOS
- Add downloads from Safari browser to Apple Music
- Utilize third-party iOS apps that support Apple Music integration
- Check Apple Music and iCloud Music Library settings
- Troubleshoot unsupported formats, storage limits, app issues
- Consider alternative music player apps as a workaround
Following these tips should help you successfully merge downloaded and local music with your Apple Music catalog. Apple’s ecosystem makes adding your own song collection convenient across devices when set up properly.
Enjoy the ability to combine downloaded albums and tracks with streaming songs in Apple Music! Let us know if you have any other questions.