You’ve probably been there. You have this one rare live recording or a voice memo turned into an MP3 sitting on your iPhone, and you just want it on your computer. It sounds easy. Apple makes everything seem easy until you realize that "syncing" usually works in one direction—from the computer to the phone. If you try to just plug it in and hit a button, you might actually end up wiping the music off your phone instead of moving it to your Mac. That’s the Apple ecosystem for you. It’s a walled garden with some very specific gates.
Honestly, figuring out how to import songs from iPhone to Mac is one of those tasks that should be a single click but often feels like a puzzle. Since macOS Catalina, iTunes is dead. Gone. We use the Music app and Finder now. But the old rules of Digital Rights Management (DRM) still apply, and they are the biggest hurdle you'll face.
The big wall: Purchases vs. everything else
Before you start clicking things, you have to understand that Apple treats your music in two distinct buckets.
First, there’s the stuff you actually bought from the iTunes Store. This is the easy part. Because you own a license linked to your Apple ID, you can basically just "redownload" these tracks onto any authorized Mac. You aren't really moving the file from the iPhone; you're just telling the Mac to go grab its own copy from the cloud.
The second bucket is the "other" stuff. This includes songs you ripped from CDs back in 2005, tracks you downloaded from Bandcamp, or that demo your friend’s band sent you. This is where people get stuck. Apple’s official software is designed to prevent piracy, so it doesn't just let you drag and drop non-purchased music from a mobile device back onto a computer. They want to stop people from plugging their iPhone into a friend's Mac and offloading a whole library. It’s annoying, but it’s the reality of the software.
Using the Music app for iTunes purchases
If your goal is just to get your paid library onto your Mac, don't overcomplicate it.
Open the Music app on your Mac. Look at the top menu bar and make sure you are signed in with the same Apple ID that’s on your iPhone. Go to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer. This is a crucial step that people often skip. If the computer isn't authorized, it won't play the files even if you manage to get them over there.
Once that's done, you can usually just go to the iTunes Store tab or your library and look for the "cloud" download icon. If you have the iPhone plugged in via USB-C or Lightning, you can also right-click the device name in the sidebar and select Transfer Purchases. This is the one "official" way Apple allows a backward transfer. But remember: this only works for items bought through Apple. Your local files will stay right where they are on the phone.
How to import songs from iPhone to Mac using AirDrop
For one or two files, AirDrop is actually the goat.
It’s fast. It’s wireless. It doesn't require a cable.
Say you have a song file saved in your Files app on your iPhone. Maybe you downloaded it from a website or saved it from an email. Just long-press the file, hit Share, and tap AirDrop. Pick your Mac. The file pops up in your Downloads folder instantly. From there, you just drag it into the Music app.
But what if the song is trapped inside the Music app on your iPhone? That’s where it gets tricky. You can’t AirDrop a song directly out of the Music app library because of those DRM restrictions I mentioned earlier. If the file is strictly in the Music app and not in the "Files" app, AirDrop won't be your solution. You’ll need to look at third-party options or cloud storage.
The iCloud Music Library workaround
If you pay for Apple Music or iTunes Match, the whole concept of "importing" changes.
Basically, Apple uses a feature called Sync Library. When this is toggled on (Settings > Music > Sync Library on iPhone, and Settings > General in the Mac Music app), your entire library is mirrored in the cloud.
If you add a song to your iPhone, it eventually shows up on your Mac. It’s not a direct transfer; it’s a cloud sync. The Mac sees the new entry in the database and allows you to download a local copy. It’s seamless, but it costs $10.99 a month. For many, paying for a subscription just to move files they already own feels like a bit of a scam. I get it. If you’re looking for a free way to move "non-purchased" music, you have to go outside the Apple bubble.
Third-party software: When Apple says no
When the official methods fail—which they will if you have a massive library of ripped MP3s—you turn to third-party managers. Tools like iMazing, AnyTrans, or Macroplant’s iExplorer have been around for a decade for a reason. They do what Apple refuses to do.
These programs treat your iPhone like an external hard drive. They bypass the "one-way sync" logic of the Music app.
- You plug the iPhone into the Mac.
- You open the third-party app.
- You navigate to the "Music" or "Media" section of the phone.
- You select the tracks and hit "Export to Mac."
It’s genuinely that simple. However, most of these apps aren't free. They usually have a trial that lets you move maybe 10 or 50 songs, but if you're trying to migrate 2,000 tracks, you're going to have to shell out some cash. Is it worth $40 to save ten hours of manual work? Usually, yeah. Just be careful about which software you download; stick to the big names that have been vetted by sites like Macworld or 9to5Mac. Avoid "free" random tools from sites you've never heard of, as they often come bundled with bloatware or worse.
Why Finder replaced iTunes (and why it’s confusing)
Since macOS Catalina, if you plug your iPhone into your Mac, nothing happens automatically. You have to open Finder. Your iPhone will show up in the sidebar under "Locations."
When you click on it, you’ll see a screen that looks exactly like the old iTunes sync page. You’ll see tabs for Music, Movies, and TV Shows. But here is the catch: this interface is almost entirely for moving data to the iPhone. If you check the box that says "Sync music onto [iPhone Name]," the Mac will look at its own library and try to make the iPhone match it.
Warning: If your Mac’s music library is empty and you hit "Sync," Finder will often tell you that it’s going to replace the library on your iPhone. If you click yes, your iPhone's music is gone. Deleted. Poof. This is why people get so frustrated. The "Sync" button is a mirror, not a backup tool.
The manual "Files" app method
If you’re tech-savvy and don't want to pay for software, you can use a middleman like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud Drive.
On your iPhone, if you have a song in a third-party app, you can often "Save to Files." Once it's in the Files app, move it to a folder in iCloud Drive. Sit back. Wait a minute. Open Finder on your Mac, click iCloud Drive in the sidebar, and there is your song.
It’s tedious for a whole album. It’s a nightmare for a whole library. But for that one rare track you can't find anywhere else? It’s the most reliable free way to get the job done without dealing with Apple’s "Sync" logic.
What about Voice Memos?
Sometimes the "songs" people want to import are actually recordings they made themselves.
Voice Memos have their own sync system. If you have "Voice Memos" checked in your iCloud settings on both devices, they should just appear in the Voice Memos app on your Mac. If they don't, you can share them via the "Share Sheet" directly to your Mac via AirDrop or email. Once they are on the Mac, you can right-click the file and choose "Open With > Music" to officially add them to your music library.
Troubleshooting connection issues
Sometimes your Mac just won't see the iPhone. It’s a classic.
First, check the cable. Seriously. A lot of cheap charging cables don't actually transfer data well. Use the one that came in the box if you still have it.
Second, check the "Trust This Computer" prompt on your iPhone. If you accidentally hit "Don't Trust," the Mac will be locked out. You can reset this by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.
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Third, if you’re on a newer Mac with only USB-C ports and you’re using a dongle, that dongle might be the weak link. Try a direct USB-C to Lightning or USB-C to USB-C cable if possible.
Actionable steps for a clean transfer
To get your music moved without losing your mind, follow this workflow:
- Check your purchases first: Use the "Account" menu in the Mac Music app to redownload anything you bought from Apple. It's free and high-quality.
- Evaluate the volume: If you have under 10 non-purchased songs, use AirDrop or iCloud Drive. It'll take five minutes.
- Use a third-party manager for big libraries: If you're moving hundreds of ripped songs, don't fight the Music app. Download a tool like iMazing. It’s the industry standard for a reason.
- Avoid the "Sync" button in Finder: Unless you are 100% sure your Mac library is the "master" version you want on your phone, stay away from that button. It’s a one-way street that usually ends in deleted files.
- Consolidate on the Mac: Once you get the files onto your Mac, drag them into the Music app window. Then, go to File > Library > Organize Library and check "Consolidate files." This makes sure the Mac actually makes a copy of the song in its own music folder rather than just pointing to a file in your Downloads folder.
The reality is that Apple wants you to subscribe to Apple Music. They’ve made the manual process just difficult enough that the $11 a month starts looking like a "convenience tax" many are willing to pay. But with a little patience and the right cable, you can still move your music the old-fashioned way. Just remember to back up your Mac once the transfer is done; you don't want to go through all this effort only to have a hard drive failure take your rare tracks down with it.