How do I--MP3 Files from Thumb drive played via USB into iMac (Sequoia 15) Continuous play, not just 1 song.

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Level 1

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How do I--MP3 Files from Thumb drive played via USB into iMac (Sequoia 15) Continuous play, not just 1 song.

I do not want to download my music to iMusic. I did that on a previous iMac (12,000 songs). I want to plug in a Thumb Drive into my USB port and play my music from the drive. However it currently only plays 1 song at a time. I want to be able to click a certain list and have it play continuous the entire list of songs on the thumbdrive. I do not want to fill my iMac up with files such as music and or photos like before.

Thanks

NM

Posted on Mar 28, 2025 10:42 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

118,866 points

Mar 29, 2025 4:50 AM in response to norm188

You’d have to find an app that can do that. Maybe VLC.

The thing that does that on macOS is Music.

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Answer 2

MartinR

Level 7

22,711 points

Mar 29, 2025 7:10 AM in response to norm188

You can use the Music app and keep all the files on your thumb drive. What you need to do is set up a referenced library.

Open Music. Go to Settings > General > Advanced. UNcheck "Copy files to Music Media folder when adding to library."

Then import your songs into Music. The import only brings in the song metadata, not the entire MP3. The MP3's stay on your thumb drive and are referenced (linked to) by Music.

In my setup (below) I am copying the files to my Music Media folder. You would uncheck this option.

Of course, your thumb drive will need to be connected in order for this to work.

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Answer 3

MartinR

Level 7

22,711 points

Mar 29, 2025 7:15 AM in response to MartinR

For more information about this, see Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support

Scroll down to the section titled "Add files to your library but not to your Music folder"

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How do I--MP3 Files from Thumb drive played via USB into iMac (Sequoia 15) Continuous play, not just 1 song.