Media location and Music Library

Question

Level 1

7 points

Media location and Music Library

Help please BEFORE a possible mistake. I have recently upgraded from MacBook High Sierra 10.13.6 to MacBook Pro 2020 M1 Sequoia 15.5. I’m now updating my music library on 2020 Sequoia by importing from external CD drive. When I insert a CD, the Music App asks if I want to add this to Library - Yes. Finder confirms: Music>Music>Media>Music (all my music CD collection appears here) and a second folder 'Automatically Add To Music’ is empty. I have deleted any unwanted files from Music>Music>Media>Music.

When I open ‘Music’ app on same 2020 MacBook, the Library (which looks like old iTunes) lists all my new files but also all the stuff I deleted from ‘Media’ pathway. Why aren’t the two updated?

I’m a musician (very senior) and my goal is to retain the older MacBook Pro and its music library for home recording studio work only and to have the 2020 MacBook Pro share my CD collection with my iPad and iPhone. (Not subscribed to Apple Music).

Please can someone clarify for me before I connect my iPad and iPhone. Please remember I’m very senior and this is about the top of my computer knowledge game, so keep it simple. 😵‍💫 Thank you for any help.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jun 24, 2025 06:22 AM

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Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

90,128 points

Jun 24, 2025 07:16 AM in response to BebopLondon

You need to delete from within iTunes if you added the files to your library. Your library is just a database that points to the media files. Deleting the media files doesn’t remove the pointer from iTunes.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

88,810 points

Jun 24, 2025 08:44 AM in response to BebopLondon

+2

You should manage your music library using the Music App. and not tamper with the Music > Media folder using Finder.

The iPad and iPhone questions is not clear. If you are not using iCloud to sync your Music between your devices. You can connect the iOS devices to the Mac and manually sync your music.

see > Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod using your computer - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Jun 24, 2025 08:32 AM in response to BebopLondon

Delete the unwanted music items using the Music application itself.

Select the files that you don't want to keep; control-click and choose Delete from Library.

Like this example:

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Answer 4

BebopLondon Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 24, 2025 08:29 AM in response to muguy

Thank you for replying so soon. Just to confirm are you meaning delete in ‘Music’ app which looks like iTunes but now called Music?

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Answer 5

Jun 24, 2025 08:33 AM in response to BebopLondon

BebopLondon wrote:

Thank you for replying so soon. Just to confirm are you meaning delete in ‘Music’ app which looks like iTunes but now called Music?

Yes, that is it.

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Answer 6

BebopLondon Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 24, 2025 11:08 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thank you everyone. Thanks very much for all your help. I will sort through Music app and delete unwanted music and then connect iPhone through Music App to sync.

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