I have an external CD player connected over USB, directly, no hub. It is a Pioneer BR/DVD CD burner (BDR-X13JBK).
When I open the Music app I can see the CD appear in the menu, but the app simply refuses to play it.
Tested with several CD's, same result, no go.
VLC however does play it without any issue.
Anyone has a clue? It feels quite ridiculous. Macs could this a really long time.
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.1
Apple Support just solved this problem for me. My iMac running Sonoma 14.5 would not play or record music CDs.
The solution is right there in System Settings, but it's somewhat hidden. Go to Privacy and Security, then to Files and Folders (of all places!) then go to Music and click on and accept Remote Volumes.
Apparently the iMac considers a music CD to be a remote volume.
Everything will work fine then.
Apple Support just solved this problem for me. My iMac running Sonoma 14.5 would not play or record music CDs.
The solution is right there in System Settings, but it's somewhat hidden. Go to Privacy and Security, then to Files and Folders (of all places!) then go to Music and click on and accept Remote Volumes.
Apparently the iMac considers a music CD to be a remote volume.
Everything will work fine then.
How to play music from a CD on iMac Somona without using
the MUSIC app. 1. insert CD in cd/dvd player.
2. When MUSIC app opens, quit it.
3. Click on CD icon on desktop.
4 drag a music selection onto desktop.
5 after it loads, click to play.
What a pain in the *** is MUSIC. Even if I wanted to download into MUSIC, I must wait until some imaginary cloud music is downloaded. I have been using Apple since OS 7. It's getting worse than Microsoft.
Second test with an Apple Superdrive. Audio CD, brand new, not burnt but from a factory.
Result: Music cannot play a CD.
Thank you Dartmouthgrad! Playing Bad Religion "A Walk" in your honor...hate that we got this IMusic instead of the good ol' iTunes!
From memory I think you might need to select the output to either your built-in speakers or something that is Airplay1 - I know that if the output in the Music app is HomePods, it doesn't work. Don't think BT headphones will either.
YES! Your directions were great. Thanks.
I just tried this with the Apple AirPods Max and it will not do it either. Unbelievable!
Lifesaver! This worked a treat!
I have the same problem as well. I am able to play Music CD with a different app, but not with the Music App. MacBook Pro, 13in, M1 2020; macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, external BUFFALO dvd drive.
I can see the contents of the CD through Finder and the Music App, but the music does not play. Neither can I import the files into my music library.
This is very frustrating.
Yes, I discovered this as well. I tried to listen to a CD using the Apple CD player this morning using my Blue Tooth wireless headphones for the first time and it would not play, nor would it import the disk. However, it would play music that had already been imported. I switched back to "external headphones" (my external speakers are plugged into the headphone jack) and I could import and listen to the CDs.
Music app on MacOS does not play a CD
