Add MP3 music to iPhone: Detailed explanation of various convenient methods
Nearly 30% of smartphone users worldwide use iPhones, and this proportion even exceeds 60% in the United States. Still, MP3 has been the most popular music format since the 90s, making it no easy task to add MP3 to iPhone. The reason is that Mac and iPhone use different music formats advocated by iTunes (now renamed Music). The AAC audio format is designed to replace MP3, delivers higher sound quality at the same bit rate, and is the default format for downloading music files in the iTunes Store.
However, since MP3 is still prevalent, there are many ways to add MP3 from Mac to iPhone directly without complicated format conversion. Let's go straight to the solution.
Transfer MP3 to iPhone in one click
Mastering the method of quickly transferring MP3 to iPhone can save a lot of time, because music is always an important part of our daily life. And a more efficient way is to use a comprehensive file transfer tool that can also update backups, move all data to a new phone without supervision, mirror the screen to a Mac, and even change the ringtone! Yes, such a tool does exist, it is called AnyTrans.
AnyTrans for iOS is a neat iTunes alternative that enables easy file transfers of any type while keeping all iOS devices in sync. You won't need to consider backing up your iPhone anymore, as AnyTrans can handle this and prevent files from being lost in the process. Additionally, the app's built-in media downloader allows you to access audio and video from over 900 websites!
If you've been looking for a solution for "How to transfer MP3 from PC to iPhone without using iTunes", follow these steps to use AnyTrans:
- Launch AnyTrans on your Mac and connect your iPhone.
- Go to Device Manager and select Music.
- Click Song ➙Add and select the MP3 file you want to transfer.
- Click to open.
Use Music to transfer MP3 to iPhone and more
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Transfer MP3 to iPhone using Music
When you think about downloading music on your Apple device, iTunes may be the first app to think of. But in Catalina (10.15) and later macOS, you won't find it because it's split into three different applications: Music, Podcasts, and TV.
Now the Music app can help you add the downloaded MP3 to your iPhone Mac, and if you have used iTunes before, you will notice the interface similarities.
Here is how to add MP3 to your iPhone via Music:
- Go to Application ➙Music.
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable and unlock it if necessary.
- Check if your iPhone appears in the Music sidebar.
- Click on your library (song, album, or artist).
- Select the song you want to transfer, or hold down the Command key to select multiple songs.
- Drag and drop the selected media onto your iPhone.
Tip If you want your iPhone to automatically sync with the entire library every time you connect to your Mac, select the "Sync music to..." check box.
Remember that if you are an Apple Music subscriber, your music library will automatically sync between your devices via iCloud.
Synchronize and manage music files with Finder
Previously, if you were wondering "How to transfer MP3 files to my iPhone without using iTunes?", there would be no answer. Now, in several latest macOS versions, it is possible to use Finder to transfer audio files and delete them from your iPhone. The operation method is as follows:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
- Open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar.
- Go to the Music tab and select Sync music to….
- Select Selected Artist, Album, Genre, and Playlist.
- Drag and drop any music on your Mac into this window.
Wireless transmission of MP3 to iPhone using AirDrop
Another way to transfer MP3s from iPhone to your computer is to use AirDrop, Apple's local service, which is used to send files between all iOS and macOS devices. It uses WiFi and Bluetooth to transfer data, so you don't need to physically connect the device with a cable.
Here is how to add MP3 directly to your iPhone using AirDrop:
- Find the file you want to transfer on your Mac.
- Right-click it and select Share.
- Click AirDrop and select your iPhone in the pop-up window.
- Accept the file on your iPhone and save it.
Add MP3 to iPhone using Dropbox
Cloud services are a popular way to back up and store files, and they can also answer the question "How to transfer MP3 files to my iPhone without using iTunes?"
Moving music files between devices through cloud services is basically the same, but for it to work properly, you need to install these apps on both your Mac and iPhone.
Here is how to transfer MP3 to iPhone using Dropbox:
- Go to Finder➙Dropbox.
- Drag and drop your files to the cloud.
- Open Dropbox on your iPhone and download new files from there.
This process can be laborious and time-consuming, especially when you use the free version of the service. At this point, you need a unified cloud storage solution, such as Dropshare.
Dropshare is the ultimate tool that integrates all cloud storage into a clean app that you can access through the Mac menu bar. It can also be used as a convenient iOS app. It adds a whole layer of new features on top. From custom keyboard shortcuts and upload history sync to comment screenshots and sharing files with secure automatic links – Dropshare has all the necessary options to give you complete control over your files.
Additional tips: Folder synchronization and backup
As the music library expands, you want to keep it updated on all devices, and the easy way to sync it with Music or Finder may drain its potential. At this time, the file synchronization manager will come in handy.
ChronoSync Express provides the highest security and smooth management options for your files and data. This app eliminates the need for manual work when syncing various file libraries between your Mac, iPhone, and iPad, and it can also perform this task remotely! Use ChronoSync Express to ensure your data is secure and updated, manage duplicates, select files you need to back up, monitor multiple devices, and easily sync dozens of folders with one click.
As you know, there are many options when it comes to adding MP3 to your iPhone. But while you can use native Mac and iOS features, there are better options like AnyTrans can be used to fully manage your files, Dropshare can be used to bring all cloud storage together, and ChronoSync Express can be used to quickly sync across all devices.
Find these apps on Setapp - AnyTrans, Dropshare and ChronoSync Express, a platform with over 240 utility tools that can help expand your Mac and iPhone capabilities. Trial all these apps for free with Setapp’s seven-day free trial and discover what your device has been missing!
FAQ: How to transfer MP3 to iPhone?
The above solutions form a complete guide on how to transfer MP3 from iPhone to computer and reverse transmission. However, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this question.
Can you transfer music to your iPhone without a computer?
If you don't have a computer, you can't use Bluetooth to transfer music to your iPhone. However, you can use an app like AirDrop or AnyTrans or Dropshare to move files wirelessly between devices.
Why can't I move MP3 to iTunes?
There may be several reasons iTunes refuses to add its MP3 to its repository. This can usually happen if the music is not authorized by Apple, the files are corrupted, or the song you are trying to move has been added.
Does iTunes still accept MP3 files?
Yes, it can. When you import a new music file into iTunes, it converts it to AAC format by default, but you can choose other encoding options such as AIFF, Apple Lossless, MP3, and WAV.
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