On a Windows computer, can I use the new Apple Music app to add a CD to my library?

It took a while for me to figure this out, but even when Apple Music and Apple Devices are installed (which means that iTunes is crippled to only display audiobooks and podcasts), CDs can still be ripped in iTunes.

Open iTunes, put a CD in your CD drive, iTunes will prompt you to rip it (say yes) and wait until it's done. Once it's all done, go into "Recently Added" and you'll see everything you just ripped, but under "Audiobooks". Select everything and then drag-and-drop into Apple Music. That will then copy everything to the music folder in Apple Music (i.e. you old iTunes media folder). Then delete what you just ripped in the "Audiobook" folder.

I have exactly the same issue.

I contacted Apple support directly and asked them where the ‘import from CD’ function had gone and the person on the other end of the phone was just as annoyed. They said that it’s generally agreed that the version of Apple Music they rolled out this year for Windows is very bare bones and very half baked.

Customer support said that although he thought the function would be included in a future update - he suggested letting Apple know directly through one of their feedback forms and/or leaving a review for Apple Music on the App Store as apparently that’s the best way to make them take notice. That’s what I’ve done since and that’s what I’d advise other do.

As someone who still believes in physical media and manages 1000s of songs in itunes from ripped CDs, this is a potentially big issue.

For years I've been using iTunes downloaded from apple.com (not the windows app) to manage my music and apple devices on various PCs. From reading the new Apple Music for Windows guide, it doesn't look like there is any ability to rip CDs into your music library like iTunes could. It also looks like when you install Apple Music/TV/Devices, you can no longer use iTunes for your music library.

Since Apple mentions iTunes is still needed to access podcasts and audio books, can iTunes still rip CDs once Apple Music is installed?

In theory if you're running Win 10 or 11, you should be able to rip a CD using the newer updated Windows Media Player (replaced Groove). Then use the new Apple Music app to import the ripped files into your music library, and then the Devices app to transfer to your Apple device. But I wouldn't recommend being the guinea pig.

For now I'm sticking with iTunes 12.13.1.3. But I'm concerned that we'll eventually be forced to use the Apple Devices app to stay current and manage our iphones and ipods which will then require the music/tv apps and shut out iTunes ... meaning no way to rip our physical media libraries.

If iTunes currently allows ripping and listening to CDs, how was it omitted from the Music app ??

For anyone looking for a temporary workaround whilst Apple add this feature back in for Windows version of Apple Music - CDs can be imported as follows;

1. insert CD
2. open 'Media Player' app
3. on the side menu, select the CD tab
4. here you will see your CD and the automatically pulled track names etc.
5. click the 3-dots (...) select 'Rip Settings' - select your desired file format and bit rate, then click 'save'
6. click 'Rip CD'
7. once the rip is complete - the album is added into your 'Music' folder under artist name > album name > CD tracks.
8. in 'Apple Music' app, click on the 3-dots (...) in the navigation pane on left-hand side > select 'Library' > click either 'Add files to library' or 'Add folder to library' > navigate to your ripped CD track files/ album folder.

Yes and no. In their infinite wisdom Apple have hobbled iTunes while Apple Music is installed. Remove the Apple Music for Windows Preview app and use iTunes as intended. The replacement really isn't ready yet.

tt2

I have exactly the same issue.

I contacted Apple support directly and asked them where the ‘import from CD’ function had gone and the person on the other end of the phone was just as annoyed. They said that it’s generally agreed that the version of Apple Music they rolled out this year for Windows is very bare bones and very half baked.

Customer support said that although he thought the function would be included in a future update - he suggested letting Apple know directly through one of their feedback forms and/or leaving a review for Apple Music on the App Store as apparently that’s the best way to make them take notice. That’s what I’ve done since and that’s what I’d advise other do.

LASpooner, thank you for taking that time to call and find that out. I've been fearing that this will be a permanent feature (or lack there of) not allowing us to import via CD. Hopefully that person was telling the truth.

Well the feature to import CDs into Apple Music already exists in the Mac version, I’ve seen Youtube tutorials that outline the process and it’s basically the exact process that ITunes uses.

I think it’s just a case of Apple short changing windows for now and drip feeding us the proper version they already have on their own system, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time.

Update: By default, the iTunes folder is C:\Users\name\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media whereas the default Apple Music folder is C:\Users\name\Music\Apple Music\Media, so need to make sure you're using the same folder so everything will sync properly.

I struggled with getting Apple Music on my Windows laptop to sync with my iPhone11.

Had already deleted iTunes as I was told to by Apple Support.

I put up with the ApMusic via Devices issue for months. Each time I synced, I would only get a portion of the CDs I had placed in Music.

Finally a call to Support again and an hour and a half of screen sharing later the lovely Support person found a box to check in Devices, "Sync Music with My Phone's Name". Which is not among an offer to sync any other device.

Considering an iPhone or other is required to connect to make Devices show signs of life anyway, this button is silly.

I was ready to buy an android and face the hurdle of learning how to drive that.

Yes. iTunes and Apple Music both have different default Library locations.

Go to C:\Users\yourname\Music. Once there, you'll see two folders: "AppleMusic" and "iTunes". For Apple Music, the music library is in a subfolder called "Media\Music", and for iTunes, the music library is under "iTunes Media\Music".

All my music consists of ripped CDs and it used to be in the iTunes. I kept it in the iTunes library but changed the default location in Apple Music.

Pain in the rear and Apple definitely didn't think this out before release. The only thing I like about Apple Music is that it has dark mode.

I can't believe it- just gone to import a CD into Apple Music on my Windows laptop and can't believe it's not available.

thanks for the link to submit feedback/ feature request - have just completed this. Not sure how i'm going to import my CD into my music library.

I may have time over the weekend to reinstall it on my Windows 11 system to see whether there have been any improvements, but I don't hold out much hope.

tt2

Any of the Apple Music, Apple TV, or Apple Devices apps will cripple iTunes. It should be enough to uninstall all three for iTunes to revert to normal function.

tt2