The three ways to add music to iTunes

You can add music to iTunes in three ways: import files from your computer, buy songs through the iTunes Store, or add music from your Apple Music subscription. The method you choose depends on whether the music is already on your device, whether you own it outright, or whether you're streaming it.

If you have MP3 files or other audio files saved on your computer, you import them directly into iTunes. If you want to buy individual songs or albums, you purchase them through the iTunes Store within iTunes. If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can add songs from Apple's catalog to your library without buying them — though they only play while your subscription is active.

iTunes on Mac and Windows works the same way for importing and purchasing, but the steps differ slightly between the two. Adding music on iPhone or iPad uses a different process entirely, since those devices sync with your computer or use iCloud.

Key Takeaways

  • Import audio files from your computer by dragging them into iTunes or using File > Add to Library, which copies them into your iTunes library.
  • Buy songs through the iTunes Store by clicking the Store icon, searching for the song or album, and clicking the price to purchase.
  • Add songs from Apple Music by finding them in the app and clicking the plus icon, which adds them to your library as long as your subscription is active.
  • On iPhone and iPad, add music by opening the Music app, finding the song, and tapping the plus icon or the three dots menu.
  • Imported files must be in a format iTunes recognizes: MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, or Dolby Digital Plus.

Importing audio files from your computer to iTunes

If you have music files already saved on your computer — whether you recorded them yourself, downloaded them, or received them from someone else — you can import them into iTunes. Open iTunes and go to File > Add to Library (on Mac) or File > Add File to Library (on Windows). Navigate to the folder where your audio files are stored and select the files you want to add. You can select multiple files at once by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and clicking each one.

Alternatively, you can drag audio files directly into the iTunes window. Open a file browser window showing your audio files, then drag them into iTunes. iTunes will copy the files into its library folder, which is usually located at Music > iTunes > iTunes Media on Mac or Documents > My Music > iTunes > iTunes Media on Windows. The original files remain on your computer, so you can delete them from their original location if you want to save space.

iTunes accepts MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus files. If your audio files are in a different format — such as WMA, OGG, or WAV — you will need to convert them first using a free tool like Audacity or VLC before importing them into iTunes.

Buying music through the iTunes Store

To buy individual songs or albums, open iTunes and click the Store icon in the top left corner. Search for the artist, song title, or album name in the search box at the top right. When you find what you're looking for, click the price button next to the song or album. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm the purchase and enter your Apple ID password.

After you purchase a song, it downloads to your computer and appears in your iTunes library. You own the file permanently and can play it anytime, even if you cancel any subscription services. Prices vary by song and album — most individual songs cost between $0.99 and $1.29, and albums typically cost between $9.99 and $12.99, though prices can be higher for new releases or special editions.

You need an Apple ID and a valid payment method on file to buy music through iTunes. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one for free at appleid.apple.com. You can use a credit card, debit card, or Apple Gift Card to pay for purchases.

Adding music from Apple Music to your library

If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can add songs from Apple's catalog to your library without buying them. Open iTunes and search for the song, artist, or album you want. When you find it, click the plus icon next to the song or album name. The song is added to your library and appears in your Music section.

Songs you add from Apple Music are only playable while your subscription is active. If you cancel your subscription, those songs become unplayable, though they remain in your library. You can still play any music you purchased or imported from your own files. If you re-subscribe to Apple Music later, your added songs become playable again.

The plus icon appears next to songs and albums in the iTunes Store, in search results, and in curated playlists. You can also add entire playlists by clicking the plus icon next to the playlist name. On some albums, you may see a cloud icon instead of a plus icon — this means the song is already in your library.

Adding music on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone and iPad, you add music through the Music app rather than through iTunes. To add a song from Apple Music, open the Music app and search for the song or artist. Tap the plus icon next to the song name, or tap the three dots menu and select "Add to Library". The song is added to your library and syncs across all your Apple devices.

To add music you've purchased, search for it in the Music app and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to read it to your device. Purchased music downloads and plays even without an active Apple Music subscription. If you have audio files on your iPhone or iPad from another source, you can add them through the Files app or by using a computer to sync them via iTunes or Finder.

Any music you add on your iPhone or iPad syncs to your other devices if you're signed in with the same Apple ID and have iCloud Music Library enabled. You can check this setting on iPhone by going to Settings > Music and looking for the iCloud Music Library toggle. On Mac, open iTunes, go to Preferences > General, and check the iCloud Music Library box.

Organizing your iTunes library after adding music

Once you've added music to iTunes, you can organize it by creating playlists, editing song information, and sorting by artist, album, or genre. To create a playlist, go to File > New Playlist (Mac) or File > New Playlist (Windows), give it a name, and drag songs into it. You can create as many playlists as you want and add the same song to multiple playlists.

To edit information about a song — such as the artist name, album title, or genre — right-click the song and select "Get Info" (Mac) or "Properties" (Windows). A window opens showing all the metadata for that song. You can change any field and click OK to save your changes. This is especially useful for imported files that may have incorrect or missing information.

You can also sort your library by clicking the column headers at the top of the song list. Click "Artist" to sort alphabetically by artist, "Album" to sort by album, or "Genre" to group songs by type. If you don't see these columns, right-click the column headers and select which columns you want to display.

Troubleshooting common problems when adding music

If iTunes won't import a file, the file is likely in a format iTunes doesn't recognize. Check the file extension — if it's not MP3, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, or Dolby Digital, you'll need to convert it first. Use a free tool like Audacity, VLC, or an online converter to change the file to MP3 format, then try importing again.

If you buy a song but it doesn't appear in your library, check that you're signed in with the correct Apple ID. Go to Account > Sign In (Mac) or Edit > Preferences > Account (Windows) and verify your Apple ID. If you're signed in correctly, try restarting iTunes. If the song still doesn't appear, check your purchase history by going to Account > View My Account and looking at your recent purchases.

If music you added from Apple Music won't play, make sure your Apple Music subscription is active and that you're signed in with the correct Apple ID. If your subscription expired, the songs become unplayable until you re-subscribe. You can check your subscription status at appleid.apple.com under Subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add music to iTunes from a CD?

Yes. Insert the CD into your computer's drive, open iTunes, and a dialog box will appear asking if you want to import the CD. Click Import CD and iTunes will rip the songs to your library as MP3 or AAC files. You can change the import format in iTunes Preferences under the General tab before importing.

What happens to my iTunes library if I get a new computer?

If you're signed in with the same Apple ID and have iCloud Music Library enabled, your library syncs automatically to your new computer. If you want to transfer your purchased music and imported files manually, you can copy your iTunes Media folder to an external drive and then move it to your new computer's Music folder.

Can I add music to iTunes on my phone without a computer?

Yes. You can add music from Apple Music directly through the Music app on your iPhone or iPad. You can also purchase songs through the iTunes Store app. However, if you have audio files from your own recordings or downloads, you'll need to use a computer or a file transfer app to get them onto your phone first.

Do I lose my imported music if I cancel Apple Music?

No. Music you imported from your own files or purchased through iTunes remains playable. Only songs you added from Apple Music become unplayable when your subscription ends. Your library keeps a record of those songs, and they become playable again if you re-subscribe.

Why does iTunes say a song is not available in my country?

Some songs and albums are only licensed for sale in certain countries due to copyright restrictions. If you're traveling or using a VPN, iTunes may block the purchase. Try signing out and back in with your Apple ID, or check if the song is available through Apple Music instead of for purchase.