Music won't import .mp3 files (iOS Catalina)

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Music won't import .mp3 files (iOS Catalina)

I see a number of questions relating to the problem I am experiencing in the Music app post Catalina update on my MacBook Air, but no solutions. What have other people found to be the cause and solution to the issue below?

On attempting to add an album of .mp3 files to the Music app, Music will only import 2 of the 11 songs. No matter if I use File>Import or drag and drop, only the same 2 songs are imported into Music (a new Unknown Artist folder is created in the library as expected). When trying to drag and drop individual .mp3 files, Music does nothing except with these 2 songs. If I right-click>Open With>Music, again nothing happens except with the same 2 songs.

All the .mp3 files in this album folder seem to have the same properties and were downloaded from a single source at the same time.

All the .mp3 files play through QuickTime and preview in Finder.

Additionally, after the upgrade from High Sierra to Catalina, a frustratingly large number of albums already in Music (ripped from CDs over the years) have lost their cover art. Cover art is added to each album manually from a folder of .jpgs after ripping.

Appreciate the community's feedback on potential causes and cures.

Thanks and stay safe!

MacBook Air

Posted on Aug 15, 2020 11:38 PM

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Answer 1

Mickey_S1

Community Specialist

Aug 17, 2020 10:32 AM in response to RnineT

Hey there RnineT,

From what you've stated, it sounds like your computer is not allowing some of your songs to be imported or used in the Music app. This can happen if the songs are not properly authorized for distribution or use on your computer.

You can find more information here on steps you can try for music that will not play or import properly: If you have problems playing music on Mac

If you still have an issue with those songs, you may try downloading them again, contacting the website or app where you received the songs from, or importing them again from your CDs if that is where they came from originally.

As for the issue with the artwork missing, select an affected album and press Cmd + I. Click on the artwork tab and see if the album artwork shows there. If it does, it may work to drag from the window to off of the window and then back into the window to reapply. You'll need to do this for each album that has this issue.

Have a great afternoon, and thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities!

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Music won't import .mp3 files (iOS Catalina)

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