how can I open a playlist file (m3u8) on itunes on an iphone

Can I import a playlist directly through itunes on the iphone, or do I need to:

1. import via computer first?

2. use a third party app to open the playlist file?


Currently everything plays through dropbox which is how I shared the songs and playlist order (m3u8) remotely.


Ideally, I would import playlist and choose the m3u8 file--however, I do not see this option on the iphone

MacBook Pro, Mid 2012, 13 in, 2.5MHz

Posted on Dec 5, 2017 10:30 AM

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Posted on Dec 5, 2017 11:26 AM

No, you cannot manage this directly on the iPhone. You need to import the playlist file into iTunes on a computer. You can drag & drop or use File > Library > Import Playlist... That makes a playlist object in the iTunes library. iTunes is no longer interested in the .m3u/.m3u8 file after the import. It is the playlist object that can be synced or dragged to the device in iTunes. The import will only be successful if the files referred to in the list are at the paths given in the list. In other words if you only have the .m3u8 file then it is like having the index to a book without the book. If you have the files, but they aren't where they're indicated as being in the index then the imported list in iTunes will be empty. All you get is the name of the playlist. M3U playlists can employ both absolute and relative naming schemes. iTunes generates absolute paths, but relative paths may be more useful if you're trying to copy a playlist and its media files from one place to another.


tt2

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 5, 2017 11:26 AM in response to Rmandree

No, you cannot manage this directly on the iPhone. You need to import the playlist file into iTunes on a computer. You can drag & drop or use File > Library > Import Playlist... That makes a playlist object in the iTunes library. iTunes is no longer interested in the .m3u/.m3u8 file after the import. It is the playlist object that can be synced or dragged to the device in iTunes. The import will only be successful if the files referred to in the list are at the paths given in the list. In other words if you only have the .m3u8 file then it is like having the index to a book without the book. If you have the files, but they aren't where they're indicated as being in the index then the imported list in iTunes will be empty. All you get is the name of the playlist. M3U playlists can employ both absolute and relative naming schemes. iTunes generates absolute paths, but relative paths may be more useful if you're trying to copy a playlist and its media files from one place to another.


tt2

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how can I open a playlist file (m3u8) on itunes on an iphone

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