Is there a way to keep the folder structure while using the Apple Music app on iOS?

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Is there a way to keep the folder structure while using the Apple Music app on iOS?

Hi, for years now we have been listening to music in our cars from a USB flashdrive. It was all sorted within FOLDERS describing styles, artists, albums, special events, special souvenirs, etc. etc. Now, most of the car have only one working USB data port that we want to use for Apple Carplay. So, if we still want to listen to our music library in our car, the only solution I see would be to export the entire flash drive content to the iphone but in doing so, we loose all the folder structure. So, is there any way to keep the folder structure while using the music app on IOS ? I must add that the solution must include listening to the music through Apple Carplay because using the cellphone while driving is illegal where I live.

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iPhone SE, iOS 15

Posted on Mar 21, 2025 4:46 AM

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Zurarczurx

Level 5

5,266 points

Mar 21, 2025 5:10 AM in response to Mychance

I assume you're talking about the Music player on iPhone - not the Apple Music Subscription service (which I don't use so don't know anything about).

Short answer - no you can't keep the folder structure, but.....

Go on your iPhone, open the Music app, navigate to Library and there are the "structures" you get": Playlists, Artists, Albums, Songs. You could, however, create playlists which mimic the categories you reference in your posts or the song orders in the folder structure. I use the Music app on Mac to create playlists then synch them with my iPhone which I connect to Carplay via USB. The only thing I use a different app for is shuffling because iPhone's Music app doesn't have album shuffle, just song shuffle.

If you want to go down this route then you'll need to import your music either into the Music app of a Mac or iTunes on a Windows PC, set up the playlists, choose what you want to synch and then then synch it with your iPhone.

There might be apps that do what you want but I've never looked for them.

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Is there a way to keep the folder structure while using the Apple Music app on iOS?

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