How to Add Local Files to Apple Music

Adding local files to Apple Music lets you listen to music you own alongside your subscription library

Apple Music lets you upload songs you already own — recordings you made yourself, rare albums you ripped from CD, or music you bought elsewhere — and listen to them in the same app as your subscription tracks. You can do this on Mac, Windows, or iPhone, though the process differs slightly by device. The files stay on your device or in iCloud, not on Apple's servers, so you keep full control of them.

You can add up to 100,000 of your own songs this way. Apple Music doesn't convert or change the files; it just indexes them so the app can find and play them. This means you can mix your personal collection with your subscription library in playlists, and the app treats them the same way when you're listening.

Key Takeaways

Local files must be in a format Apple Music recognizes: MP3, AAC, FLAC, Dolby Digital, or Dolby Digital Plus.
On Mac, you add files by dragging them into the Music app library or pointing the app to a folder where your music lives.
On Windows, you use iTunes or the Music app to import files the same way, then sign into your Apple Music account.
On iPhone, you can only add files that are already in iCloud Music Library or that you transfer via a computer first.
Files you add are not shared with other people on your account — only you see them on your device.

Adding files on Mac using the Music app

Open the Music app and go to File > Import. Navigate to the folder or individual file you want to add, select it, and click Open. The Music app reads the file, adds it to your library, and you can search for it by song name, artist, or album just like any subscription track.

If you have a whole folder of music files, you can point the Music app to that folder once and it will watch for new files. Go to Music > Settings (or Preferences on older Macs), click Files, and select "Copy files to Music Media folder" if you want the app to move the files into its own storage. If you leave this unchecked, the app will read files from wherever they are now, which saves space if you have limited storage.

Make sure you are signed into your Apple Music account in the Music app. Go to Music > Settings, click Account, and sign in with your Apple ID. Once you do, your local files sync to iCloud Music Library and become available on your other devices.

Adding files on Windows using iTunes or the Music app

On Windows 10 and earlier, use iTunes. Open iTunes, go to File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library, and select the files or folder you want to add. iTunes imports them the same way the Mac app does.

On Windows 11, use the Music app instead. Open it, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Settings, and look for the option to add a music folder. Point it to the location where your files are stored. The Music app will scan that folder and add any recognized files to your library.

Sign into your Apple Music account in whichever app you use. Your local files will then sync to iCloud Music Library if you have that turned on in settings. This makes them available on your Mac and iPhone as well, though the sync can take hours or days depending on how many files you are adding.

What file formats work with Apple Music

Apple Music recognizes MP3, AAC (the format iTunes uses), FLAC, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus files. If you have files in other formats — WAV, OGG, WMA, or others — you will need to convert them first using a free tool like VLC or Audacity, or a paid converter like XLD on Mac.

The quality of the file does not change when you add it to Apple Music. A 128 kbps MP3 stays a 128 kbps MP3. If you want better sound, convert or re-read the file at a higher bitrate before adding it. Most music you buy from other sources comes as MP3 or AAC, so you usually will not need to convert anything.

Adding files on iPhone and iPad

You cannot drag files directly into Apple Music on iPhone the way you can on a computer. Instead, files you add on Mac or Windows automatically appear on your iPhone once they sync to iCloud Music Library. This can take several hours after you add them to your computer.

If you have files on your iPhone but they are not in the Music app yet, you can use the Files app to move them to a location the Music app can read. Open Files, find your music file, tap and hold it, select Copy, then open the Music app and paste it there. This works for files you downloaded or received via email.

You can also use AirDrop to send files from your Mac to your iPhone. On Mac, right-click the file, select Share > AirDrop, choose your iPhone, and accept the transfer on your phone. The file will land in your Downloads folder in the Files app, and you can move it to Music from there.

Organizing and finding your local files

Once files are in Apple Music, they appear in your library alongside subscription tracks. You can search for them by song name, artist, or album. You can also add them to playlists, mark them as favorites, and sort them the same way you sort subscription music.

If you want to see only your local files, go to Library in the Music app, look for a filter or view option, and select "Downloaded" or "Local Files" depending on your device. On Mac, you can also create a smart playlist that shows only files you added yourself, which is useful if you want to keep them separate from your subscription library.

Your local files do not count toward your 100,000-song limit if they are duplicates of songs already in Apple Music's catalog. If you add a local file with the same song name and artist as a subscription track, Apple Music may treat them as the same song and only show one in your library.

Syncing local files across your devices

When you add a local file on your Mac or Windows computer, it syncs to iCloud Music Library automatically if that feature is turned on. This makes the file available on your other devices — your iPhone, iPad, or another Mac — within a few hours.

To turn on iCloud Music Library, go to Settings in the Music app (or Preferences on Mac), find the iCloud Music Library toggle, and turn it on. You must be signed into your Apple Music account. Once it is on, any local file you add on one device appears on all your other devices.

If you turn off iCloud Music Library, your local files stay on the device where you added them but do not sync to other devices. You can turn it back on later and the files will sync again, though this can take time if you have many files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add files I downloaded from YouTube or other sources?

Technically yes — if the file is in a format Apple Music recognizes, you can add it. However, many downloads from YouTube or streaming services violate copyright, and adding them to your library does not make that legal. Only add files you have the right to use, such as music you made yourself, CDs you own, or files you bought from a legitimate seller.

What happens if I delete a local file from my computer?

If you delete the original file from your computer and you have iCloud Music Library on, the file will disappear from your iPhone and other devices too. If you want to keep it, make a backup copy before deleting the original, or turn off iCloud Music Library so the file stays on each device independently.

Can other people on my family plan see my local files?

No. Local files are private to your account and device. Even if someone else in your family uses the same Apple Music subscription, they cannot see or listen to your local files unless you share a device with them and they use your account.

Do local files work offline?

Yes, if they are stored on your device. Files you added on your Mac or Windows computer and synced to your iPhone are available to play even when you have no internet connection. Subscription tracks require an internet connection to play unless you read them separately.

What is the 100,000 song limit?

Apple Music lets you store up to 100,000 of your own songs in iCloud Music Library. This includes both local files you add and songs you upload. Once you hit the limit, you cannot add more until you delete some. Subscription tracks you listen to do not count toward this limit.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.