Unable to Add Local Music to Apple Music on My Computer

Hi everyone,


I’m having trouble adding my local music files to Apple Music on my computer. Whenever I try to import or drag the files into my library, nothing seems to work.


  • I’m using Apple Music on desktop (not iPhone/iPad).
  • The songs are regular MP3/FLAC files saved locally.
  • I want them to appear in my Apple Music library so I can organize and play them, but they won’t show up.


Has anyone experienced this issue before? Is there a specific setting I need to enable, or a different way to import local music into Apple Music?


Thanks in advance for your help!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Sep 15, 2025 7:26 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 4:34 AM

Music cannot import files in FLAC format. Music will silently reject what it sees are improperly formated files. These may include files with a format that doesn't match their extension, even if such files might play in QuickTime.


See also Repair security permissions for iTunes/Music for Mac - Apple Community.


Try copying the files you want added into the Automatically Add to Music folder inside your media folder. They will either be absorbed into the library, or moved into a Not Added folder. If they end up there you will know for sure that Music doesn't consider them to be valid media files.


tt2

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 16, 2025 4:34 AM in response to HowardLo_tw

Music cannot import files in FLAC format. Music will silently reject what it sees are improperly formated files. These may include files with a format that doesn't match their extension, even if such files might play in QuickTime.


See also Repair security permissions for iTunes/Music for Mac - Apple Community.


Try copying the files you want added into the Automatically Add to Music folder inside your media folder. They will either be absorbed into the library, or moved into a Not Added folder. If they end up there you will know for sure that Music doesn't consider them to be valid media files.


tt2

Sep 15, 2025 8:39 PM in response to HowardLo_tw

"Unable to Add Local Music to Apple Music on My Computer: I do have an active Apple Music subscription. Streaming songs and playlists work fine for me, and I can also download them and sync them to my iPhone without any problem. The issue is only with adding local music files on my Mac — they just won’t show up in my library."

-------


A. Redownload Purchased Music:

So, this is all home music (mp3 files), correct? Or are these iTunes Store purchases?

Try Redownloading these:


B. Restart your Mac


C. Log Back into Apple Music:

Log out of Music, and then log back in.


D. Authorize this Computer:

  1. Open: Music app
  2. Click: Account
  3. Click: Authorize this Computer...


Sep 15, 2025 8:12 PM in response to HowardLo_tw

"Unable to Add Local Music to Apple Music on My Computer: [...]I want them to appear in my Apple Music library so I can organize and play them, but they won’t show up.[...]"

-------


Adding Music to Apple Music Library:

So, do you have an Apple Music Subscription? If not, then it is just not going to show across all of your devices; and the same goes for playlists of these items.


Viewing your Subscription Plan on your Mac:

  1. Open: App Store app
  2. Click: your name in the sidebar or Sign In if not seen)
  3. Click: Account Settings.
  4. Sign In: if prompted)
  5. Scroll: Subscriptions
  6. Click: Manage

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Unable to Add Local Music to Apple Music on My Computer

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