How to import music from CD to iPhone without Apple Music?

I have an iphone 14 and do not subscribe to apple music. I have found an old cd which has precious songs on it. I wish to add songs to my iphone so that I can play them on the music app on my iphone. My macx is a M3 with Mac OS 15.4.1 How do I do it?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: adding mp3 music files to an iphone

iPhone 14 Plus, iOS 18

Posted on Aug 11, 2025 02:32 PM

Reply
3 replies

Aug 11, 2025 03:16 PM in response to robert_coady

To add to ed2345's reply:


Here's how to import music from CDs using Apple Music:

Import songs from CDs into Music on Mac - Apple Support


Macs have not had built-in optical drives for many years, so you may need to purchase an external optical drive. Apple recently discontinued the Apple-brand USB SuperDrive, but just about any optical drive that is made for a computer will work with a Mac.


I'm using this one:

Other World Computing – 24X OWC Mercury Pro USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) Super-Multi DVD/CD Burner/Reader External Optical Drive with M-DISC Support


This is a desktop drive which has:

  • A detachable power supply.
  • A detachable cable that you can replace with a longer USB 3.0 B to USB-A or USB 3.0 B to USB-C one.
  • A tray-loading mechanism with an indent for small round mini-CDs of the type on which record companies once shipped "CD singles".


Because it has its own power supply, it's not particularly finicky about power. It doesn't want to be plugged directly into a Mac (like the Apple drive did) or to take up two USB ports to suck extra power (like some third-party portable drives do). And if your cat chews the USB cable or the cord for the power supply, you might be able to replace just the USB cable or the power supply without having to throw away the whole drive.

How to import music from CD to iPhone without Apple Music?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.