USB music files to Mac/PC

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Level 1

4 points

USB music files to Mac/PC

i have a usb drive with over 3500 songs a a few music videos all burned from purchased or gifted cd’s that were downloaded from a PC and then transferred to a MacBook Pro added to and reinstalled on the USB drive. I no longer have either and understand and have loaded on my iPad Pro and as others and I know that works but you can’t play them although the music videos work just fine. I have resigned to either buying a new Mac, PC or just walking away from all the music and memories. My question is they say they are protected MP3 or 4 files. Will iTunes/Apple Music really allow those files to be added to iTunes and then shared back to my iPhone 15pro max and my iPad Pro 11? They are FAT files btw. The transfer to the usb drive about five years ago and play just fine on the car stereo with a USB port. Thanks

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 17

Posted on Nov 27, 2023 09:15 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

ed2345

Level 9

63,416 points

Nov 27, 2023 05:08 PM in response to daetrips

Daetrips,

A computer would be the easiest way to get them from the USB to the iPad. But if you don't have one that is not an option. If you feel experimental, you can transfer the files directly to the iPad and then figure out what to do with them. See this:

Connect external storage devices to iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 2

ed2345

Level 9

63,416 points

Nov 27, 2023 03:37 PM in response to daetrips

Daetrips,

If those CDs were originally ripped using iTunes, then the result would be non-protected files, most likely in MP3 or AAC format. If that is the case, they should play fine in iTunes or Music on a computer. Your post was a little ambiguous about whether you still have them on the USB drive, but if you do, copy them to the computer that you are using now, and then sync your phone and iPad.

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Answer 3

daetrips Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 27, 2023 04:36 PM in response to ed2345

I don’t have a computer and haven’t had any other reason for one in years.

Yes, they still are on the USB drive. They were ripped using iTunes…they are MP3 files. On my iPad they say they’re “Protected”. If understood correctly it means a computer is the only solution for getting them useable on a iPhone or iPad. The “Protected” status concerned me that computer or not…

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Answer 4

daetrips Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 27, 2023 07:36 PM in response to ed2345

I do have them on my iPad but they say Protected MPEG-4 and are unusable. I found one so far that does play, it says Apple MPEG-4. All the suggestions I’ve found include a computer which is what I’m trying to rule out

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Answer 5

daetrips Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 28, 2023 12:02 PM in response to ed2345

They do say they’re protected on the USB; they were playing on a radio with an USB option. I don’t see any option of opening them in the built in music app…perhaps there is an app that would recognize the drive and play the files.

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Answer 6

ed2345

Level 9

63,416 points

Nov 28, 2023 04:48 PM in response to daetrips

I concluding that something is wrong with the files. If the "chain of custody" was that they got ripped with iTunes and then copied to USB, they would not be protected. So evidently something went amiss.

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Answer 7

daetrips Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 28, 2023 05:44 PM in response to ed2345

I think you’re right I plugged it into my smart TV half the files didn’t show up at all and about half of those won’t play.

So I don’t think I ever had the two back up copies I thought I did, just didn’t notice in the five years only using the USB while driving around the country in a RV.

NOW I can just spend the $$$$ for a new MacBook on a music subscription…

Thank You for your Time

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