You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Why does Apple Music on MacOS Monterey not recognize local files?

I had my entire library duplicate the other day within Music so I decided to restore all my local files from an external hard drive.


I purchase music in .mp3 format, open it with the Music app, then it creates a local copy which I can back up for future restorations.


I deleted all my local .mp3 files, then copied over a backup I had from January 3rd, 2023 to the location they are saved locally on my iMac.


Here's a screenshot of where the 5,000+ songs are locally on my machine:



And here's where my Apple Music Library is set to look for them (the locations are the same):



Yet, when I open Music I have only 31 songs showing in my "Songs" list. If I turn Library sync "off" nothing shows in my Music Library; not a single song.


How do I get Music to recognize all of my local .mp3s (again, 5,000+) and add them to my Library so I can turn on Library sharing and get all my music on my phone again?

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Apr 7, 2023 8:22 AM

Reply

Similar questions

1 reply

Apr 10, 2023 9:53 AM in response to Dan Bizzle

Hello Dan,


We would like to see how we can help you with your Music Library. Did you follow the steps in this link when you changed the location of the library: Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support


"Change where imported files are stored

  1. In the Music app  on your Mac, choose Music > Settings, then click Files.
  2. Click Change, then select a new location for your files.


From now on, new songs and other items you import are stored in the new location. Songs you’ve already imported stay in their current location.

If you change your mind and want to store imported files in the default folder again, choose Music > Settings, click Files, then click Reset."


Get back to us with these details so that we have a better understanding of the issue, and we can go from there.


Cheers!

Why does Apple Music on MacOS Monterey not recognize local files?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.