Adding music from outside of iTunes or Apple Music to an iPhone is a tedious and confusing process. For people accessing an iPhone from an Android device, the fact that the internal storage of an iPhone cannot be accessed in the same way as the internal storage of an Android device can basically force them to relearn how to put files / data on your phone. Music is often the first downside when users try to add music from their phone or computer to the Music app on their iPhone.
Transfer MP3 files to iPhone
To transfer MP3 files to an iPhone, you must:
- Connect the phone to a computer (Mac or PC, either will work)
- You must use iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS)
Every time you want to add a new music file to your iPhone, you will have to sync via iTunes or Finder. You will also have to use the same system for all future syncs. When you sync data with your iPhone, the iPhone basically recognizes the computer as the place where your library is stored and it won’t work with any other library on any other computer unless you’re willing to delete the entire music library and start over. right from the start.
The point is, it’s a tedious process to make sure you have all the music you want to transfer ready. You don’t want to repeat this process over and over again.
How to Transfer MP3 Files to iPhone
The process for transferring MP3 files to an iPhone is similar on a Mac and a Windows PC. The only difference is that on macOS you will use Finder and on Windows, you will use iTunes.
- Install iTunes from the Microsoft Store.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes or Finder.
- It is a good idea to backup the iPhone at this time.
- In iTunes, go to Music in Library and add your MP3 files to (you can drag and drop files).
- Select the iPhone.
- Select Music on iPhone.
- Make sure you’ve selected “Entire Music Library.”
- Click the Synchronize button.
Once the syncing is complete, you can disconnect your iPhone from the computer. Open the Music app on your iPhone and the MP3 files will be listed.
Save MP3 files to iPhone
If you want to save an MP3 file to your iPhone after downloading it to iPhone, you will have to save it in the Files app. The Files application is a standard application that allows you to save files to your phone’s local storage. You can play MP3 files in the Files application, but you cannot open them in the Music application. The playback functions of the Files application are basic. If you think this is an unnecessary restriction, you are there to prevent piracy.