How to separate two file formats in Apple Music library

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Level 1

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How to separate two file formats in Apple Music library

I am using Apple Music on a 2018 MacBook Pro (2.2 Ghz 6-core Intel core i7) with Sequoia 15.4.1. I have plenty of storage available.

I am attempting to copy my music library (all ripped from CDs rather than purchased via Music) to a format suitable for playing on a USB drive in my car.

I have managed to convert the library to mp3 but now I obviously have two versions of each track in my library.

I would like to separate out the mp3s to the external USB drive and then delete the mp3s from the library but I am unclear how to do this without drag-and-dropping each file. (I really don't want to do this as there are over 1500 tracks.)

Does anyone know of a quick means to achieve this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 15.4

Posted on Apr 30, 2025 03:03 AM

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Answer 1

ed2345

Level 9

63,428 points

Apr 30, 2025 05:53 AM in response to Refusenik51

Refusenik,

Yes, but with a warning...

Listing out the MP3s can easily be done by creating a new smart playlist with a rule "Kind" "contains" "MPEG".

Then you can copy them in batches by drag-n-drop to the external.

The warning is that Music can sometimes fail if you drag too many at once. Start with a small batch and check that the copy succeeded before you do the next batch. You can experiment to see what size works successfully.

When you are done and have verified that the MP3s are all correctly on the external, you can delete them from your library.

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How to separate two file formats in Apple Music library

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