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User profile for user: Loren Ryter
Loren Ryter Author
User level: Level 3
556 points

No artwork preview in Finder browsing audio files

While browsing audio files in the Finder (MacOS 10.14.6), audio file previews appear as generic music icons (with play button in some cases). This is true in column view with preview column, icon view, and the new gallery view. Also, no album art shown in Quick Look.


Incredibly this remains a problem without any resolution that I'm aware of.


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3783156?page=1

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/album-art-not-showing-up-in-finder-quick-look.1115745/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mp3-files-in-finder-doesnt-show-cover-art.940273/


Of course, in Finder view options for each mode, "show icon preview" is selected. All other media, including images and movies, show previews as expected. Incidentally the same exact thing happens in Path Finder 9.


I've tried pretty much all the recommended solutions. iTunes 12 in Mojave no longer has Voice Memos to delete. I've deleted ~/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist and relaunched Finder and rebooted, etc.


Can anyone still on Mojave see if this is the case with them as well please?


Any solution?


PS: my music, and the iTunes LIbrary, is on external drives. iTunes 12.9.5.5. MacOS 10.14.6.





Mac Pro, OS X 10.11

Posted on Dec 14, 2019 5:22 PM

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User profile for user: Leanne_68
Leanne_68
User level: Community Specialist

Dec 18, 2019 6:38 AM in response to Loren Ryter

Hello Loren Ryter, 


Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! From your message I see that you're not seeing the artwork associated with the audio files when viewing them in Finder. They are showing when you view them in iTunes. 


I happened to still have macOS Mojave on my MacBook Air, and my large iTunes Library is stored on an external USB drive. When I look at an .mp3 file, which I uploaded from CD or imported from another source, in iTunes > iTunes Media > Music > Artist name > album > song I'm seeing the same icon in Finder. If I go to "Get Info" for the same song, the artwork is shown in the Preview. If I select an .m4a file which I purchased from the iTunes Store, the artwork shows in Finder as well as in "Get Info." If you have any files you've purchased through the iTunes Store, check and see if you have the same results.


For more information about why the artwork can be seen for the .m4a files and not .mp3 files, Contact Apple Support for more assistance


All the best.

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User profile for user: Loren Ryter
Loren Ryter Author
User level: Level 3
556 points

Dec 18, 2019 7:28 AM in response to Leanne_68

Thanks for checking. In my case the artwork previews are not in Finder "Get Info" either, and not for imported .mp3s OR purchased .m4a files (which also do not show previews in Finder).


It's my belief that contacting Apple Support on this would be a waste of time, given that there have been similar reports for years and there appears to be no resolution. I'm essentially just greasing the cogs. Have also reported on feedback assistant.


There are more major issues to attend to also!

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No artwork preview in Finder browsing audio files

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