5 Easy Ways to Manually Add Music to an iPhone

by
Spread the love

Adding music to an iPhone manually can be done in a few different ways. Here are five easy methods to get your favorite tunes onto your device:

1. Using iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later)

  1. Open iTunes/Finder:
  • iTunes: On Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier, open iTunes.
  • Finder: On macOS Catalina and later, open Finder.
  1. Connect Your iPhone: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Select Your Device:
  • iTunes: Click on the device icon in the top-left corner of the iTunes window.
  • Finder: Select your iPhone from the sidebar.
  1. Add Music:
  • iTunes: Go to the “Music” tab under your device, and check “Sync Music.” Choose “Entire music library” or “Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.” Click “Apply” or “Sync.”
  • Finder: Under the “Music” tab, select the option to sync music and choose the specific music you want to sync. Click “Apply.”
  1. Wait for Sync: Allow the sync process to complete, then disconnect your iPhone. Your music will be available in the Music app.

2. Using Apple Music

  1. Open the Music App: On your iPhone, open the Apple Music app.
  2. Find the Music: Search for the songs, albums, or playlists you want to add.
  3. Add Music:
  • Tap the “+” button or “Add” next to the songs or albums.
  • For playlists, tap “Add” to add the entire playlist to your library.
  1. Download Music: If you want offline access, tap the download icon (a cloud with an arrow) next to the music or playlist.

3. Using iCloud Music Library

  1. Enable iCloud Music Library:
  • On iPhone: Go to Settings > Music and toggle on “Sync Library” (or “iCloud Music Library” on older iOS versions).
  • On Computer: Ensure that iCloud Music Library is enabled in iTunes or Apple Music.
  1. Add Music to Library:
  • On Computer: Add your music to your iTunes or Apple Music library. The music will automatically sync across your devices.
  1. Access on iPhone: Open the Music app on your iPhone, and your music should be available under “Library.”

4. Using Third-Party Music Apps

  1. Download a Music App: Install a third-party music app from the App Store that supports file transfers (e.g., Documents by Readdle).
  2. Transfer Music:
  • Via App’s Method: Use the app’s built-in file manager to add music from your computer or cloud storage.
  • Via Cloud Storage: Upload music to a cloud service (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) and download it using the app on your iPhone.
  1. Play Music: Open the third-party app to access and play your music.

5. Using AirDrop

  1. Prepare Your Music: Ensure that the music files you want to transfer are in a compatible format (e.g., .m4a, .mp3).
  2. Enable AirDrop:
  • On iPhone: Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and later) or swipe up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier) to open Control Center. Press and hold the network settings card to open AirDrop settings. Select “Everyone” or “Contacts Only.”
  • On Mac: Open Finder, go to AirDrop, and make sure it’s set to receive from “Everyone” or “Contacts Only.”
  1. Send Music:
  • On Mac: Drag the music file to the AirDrop window and drop it onto your iPhone’s icon.
  1. Receive and Save: Accept the transfer on your iPhone. The music file will be saved in the Files app or the default location for the app you used to receive the file.

Summary

  1. iTunes/Finder: Sync music from your computer to your iPhone.
  2. Apple Music: Add music directly from the Apple Music app and download it.
  3. iCloud Music Library: Sync your music library across devices via iCloud.
  4. Third-Party Apps: Use apps that support file transfers and cloud storage.
  5. AirDrop: Transfer music files wirelessly from your Mac to your iPhone.

Each method has its own advantages depending on your setup and preferences. Choose the one that best fits your needs for adding music to your iPhone.