What happens to my MP3 files on my computer if I choose to turn Apple Music Sync on?

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What happens to my MP3 files on my computer if I choose to turn Apple Music Sync on?

I have been frustrated for years with the lack of clarity on this. I have a large music collection on my computer of mp3s I've ripped from my large CD collection. My collection includes an eclectic mix of both popular titles that are available on Apple Music as well as many rare CDs that I've ripped to mp3 over the years. I enjoy that my collection has lots of data -- song plays, ratings, auto playlists, etc. I subscribe to Apple Music and use it to stream a lot of music from my phone and other devices, however I have been reluctant to turn on "Sync Library" in fear that something awful might happen to my collection of mp3s on my computer. This really is frustrating because *without* Sync Library tuned on, I am unable to create playlists on Apple Music. It's so frustrating -- I really want to be able to create playlists from Apple Music, and also want to be able to manage my owned music. Is there a way to do this? What will happen to my owned music library of mp3s on my computer if I were to turn on Sync Library? I wish Apple would think about the UX for this type of situation!

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Jul 21, 2024 3:46 AM

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Answer 1

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Phil0124

Community+ 2026

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219,230 points

Jul 22, 2024 1:05 PM in response to gweiss36

Nothing should happen to your library on your computer.

Apple Music takes any music on a computer, and matches it to the Apple Music catalog. Anything that cannot matched, is uploaded as is, with some minor caveats.

click here ➜ Use iCloud Music Library on PC - Apple Support

The music on the computer should not be affected in any way whatsoever when you turn on the option to Sync Library. It is taken as the master library and kept as is on the computer.

As always a complete backup is recommended before doing anything as a matter of course.

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Answer 2

Jul 23, 2024 7:38 AM in response to gweiss36

gweiss36 wrote:

Thanks Phil. I recall a few years ago when I turned on Sync Library, every song in my iTunes Library appeared multiple times (rather than just once). Is that expected?

No, not expected unless music was already added to the iCloud Music library previously from a different computer. It it was, then it will sync that music down to the computer. If the tracks are the same they may appear duplicated.

And from what you’re saying, it sounds like Apple Music will not touch any of the files on my computer— and not replace with lower quality files and not re-organize files and lose play counts and ratings?

It should not, in normal operation.

Again, having a backup is always a good idea regardless.

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Answer 3

gweiss36 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 22, 2024 7:19 PM in response to Phil0124

Thanks Phil. I recall a few years ago when I turned on Sync Library, every song in my iTunes Library appeared multiple times (rather than just once). Is that expected? And from what you’re saying, it sounds like Apple Music will not touch any of the files on my computer— and not replace with lower quality files and not re-organize files and lose play counts and ratings?

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What happens to my MP3 files on my computer if I choose to turn Apple Music Sync on?

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