How to Import CD and Folder Music into iTunes Library

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You aren’t locked into just one source for your digital vinyl collection. Whether you have a dusty disc of 90s alt-rock in the drive, a hard drive full of ripped MP3s, or a sibling’s Mac with better taste in music, there’s a way to get those tracks into your library.

It used to be a headache. Now it’s mostly just clicking buttons. Here is exactly how to move music from physical media, local folders, and other computers into iTunes without losing your mind.

Copying songs from a CD

Physical media still exists. If you want to digitize that collection, iTunes handles it with varying degrees of automation depending on your internet connection.

  1. Launch iTunes.
  2. Insert the CD. The drive will spin up. If you’re online, iTunes talks to a database to pull metadata (artist, album, track names). If you’re offline? It still works, but the song titles might just say “Track 01,” “Track 02,” etc.
  3. The Import Prompt. A dialog box will ask if you want to import the CD.
    • Click Yes to rip everything.
    • Click No if you want to cherry-pick. A checklist appears. Uncheck the tracks you don’t want.
  4. Hit Import CD.
  5. Wait. A progress bar sits at the bottom. Watch it. Don’t eject the disc until it finishes.

Copying songs from a local music folder

Got a folder full of FLACs, AACs, or MP3s sitting in your Documents folder? You don’t need to drag them one by one. iTunes can ingest entire directories.

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. Go to the File menu.
  3. Choose your path based on your OS:
    • Mac: Select Add to Library.
    • Windows: Select Add File to Library (for single tracks) or Add Folder to Library (for an entire directory).
  4. Navigate to the folder or select the specific files.
  5. Click Open. iTunes scans the files and adds them to your library database. Simple. Direct. No fanfare.

Copying songs from one Mac to another (Network Transfer)

This gets a bit specific. This method relies on the “Automatically Add To iTunes” folder mechanism and works best if you’re on the same local network. It assumes you are using a version around iTunes 9, or a similar legacy setup where network sharing is handled via macOS Finder.

  1. Prepare the Target Mac.
    • Open System Preferences on the Mac receiving the music.
    • Go to Sharing.
    • Ensure File Sharing is enabled.
  2. Connect from the Source Mac.
    • Open a Finder window.
    • Look for the Shared section in the sidebar. Click the target Mac’s name.
    • Click Connect As.
    • Enter the target Mac’s username and password.
  3. Link the Folder.
    • Navigate to the target Mac’s music directory: ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Automatically Add To iTunes.
    • Select that folder.
    • Press Command-L to create an alias.
    • Rename the alias something recognizable.
    • Drag this alias out of the Finder window and drop it somewhere convenient on your source Mac (like the Desktop or Dock).
  4. Transfer the Files.
    • Drag and drop your source songs into that alias folder.
    • The files will travel over the network and land in the “Automatically Add To iTunes” folder on the target machine. iTunes on the target Mac will detect them and process them into the library.

Note: The first time you drop files, you must enter the password. If you save the credentials to the Keychain, future transfers will happen without prompts.

Common iTunes Transfer Issues

How do I add music from my iTunes to my iPhone?

Syncing is the only reliable way to get music onto an iOS device via iTunes. Connect your phone via USB or Wi-Fi. In the iTunes app, click the device icon. Select Music from the top menu. Check the box to sync music. You can choose to sync your entire library or specific playlists. Click Apply or Sync.

Why can’t I add music from my iTunes library to my iPhone?

If the music isn’t showing up, check two settings:
1. Sync Settings: Did you actually check the “Music” box in the device summary tab?
2. Manual Management: Try checking “Manually manage music and videos.” This disables automatic sync but allows you to drag and drop tracks directly to the device icon in iTunes.

How do I move my iTunes library to a different folder?

By default, iTunes scatters files everywhere. You can centralize them.
1. Open iTunes Preferences (Edit > Preferences on Windows, iTunes > Preferences on Mac).
2. Go to the Advanced tab.
3. Click Change next to “Store iTunes Media in.”
4. Pick a new folder. iTunes will move existing files and store all new imports in that location.

How do I transfer music into iTunes from a PC or Mac?

It’s the same process as adding a local folder.
* On PC: File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library. Browse. Open. Done.
* On Mac: Music app (or iTunes) > File > Add to Library. Browse. Open. Done.

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