Mac mini: 'Access Denied' importing CDs

when trying to import cd’s to my new mac mini (Apple M4, Tahoe 26.2)

I get the error Access to Source Volume was Denied.

But i have verified that access is available under:

Privacy and Security

Files and Folders

Music

Removable volumes is enabled.


Any other settings that might be stopping me from importing cd’s?

Posted on Jan 6, 2026 7:02 AM

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Posted on Jan 6, 2026 7:50 AM

What USB DVD/CD driver are you using..?

What type of CD's are you trying to import..?


Commercial Music CD's can be Imported into the Music App.

see > Import songs from CDs into Music on Mac - Apple Support


Burned Music CD's created by an old iTunes version or Windows player maybe protected and/or not readable.

7 replies

Jan 6, 2026 9:49 AM in response to Jeff_67

Again, what kind of CDs?


There are multiple applications, including Apple's Music, that should be able to import a music CD. Incidentally, I have never heard of an iTunes-burned music CD not being allowed to import. They are basically just like regular music CDs.


My understanding is Macs can read Windows format, just not write to NTFS.


Confirm you have enabled "Removable Volumes" in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders > Music Try restarting you Mac. Oddly you have to do this a lot more frequently to cure issues with newer OS versions than I had to using old OS versions (I once had a Tiger OS computer than I only restarted once in an entire year).

Jan 6, 2026 2:47 PM in response to den.thed

You can try the setting den.thed indicates but it should not be necessary. That will set things up to automatically start importing a CD even if you do not want to actually import it, just play it.


Try using a different ripper or player and see if there's the same issue. VLC is a free player, plays just about anything in the media world, and lets you open a disc for playing.



Mac mini: 'Access Denied' importing CDs

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