I have media I own that I am trying to get onto my iPhone - in the appropriate files. For example, 8 sound files that I paid for are in Downloads on the phone, but I want them - obviously - where the rest of my owned media is. Is Apple still being unhelpful and dictatorial with this process?
Follow the instructions here: Add music to iPhone and listen offline - Apple Support
Follow the instructions here: Add music to iPhone and listen offline - Apple Support
That article refers to offline listening copies of Apple Music subscription tracks.
If the OP is trying to load music from his own CDs onto his iPhone, the mechanism that Apple provides for that is Finder/iTunes based synchronization from the media library of a master Mac or PC.
Managing my OWN music. How can I move music I own from my Mac to my iPhone for off-line listening?
