Unable to load music files into Apple Music on iMac

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Level 1

10 points

Unable to load music files into Apple Music on iMac

I have all my music files on an external hard drive and was able to organise and play all files without any problems. Recently my files became corrupt and I deleted all music files from the app. I had a backup copy of all the files and tried to load these files thru File> Import but only 2 out od about 60 albums loaded. I tried dragging and dropping individual folders then files into the Music app but nothing happened.

I turned "Copy files to Music Media folder when adding to library" off then tried File> Add to library and selected the folders to load then clicked "Open" but nothing loaded.

If I uninstall the reinstall the Music app would that fix the problem?

I am using macos 15.3.2 on a 24inch M1 2021 iMac

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Mar 25, 2025 11:38 PM

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Answer 1

blueflash90 Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 26, 2025 9:26 PM in response to turingtest2

The problem folders and files were on external drive A. I was able to copy all the files and folders to another external drive B. I then was able to load everything I wanted from B into the Music app without any problems.

I deleted everything from Music and then tried to load from A again but had the same problem.

So I deleted everything from Music again and reloaded from B and everything is fine.

I have run all sorts of tests on A and as far as I can see, there is nothing wrong with that drive. I can read and write files to A from other apps so the problem seems peculiar to the Music app only.

will just leave it as one of life's unexplained mysteries.

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

276,659 points

Mar 26, 2025 12:35 PM in response to blueflash90

Is the problem drive still connected to your Mac? Did you change the media folder location to a different drive before attempting to import any music? Perhaps your backup is also corrupt?

I don't believe you can reinstall the Music app other than by reinstalling the entire operating system. I'd start by running Disk Utility on the drive with the content. See How to repair a Mac storage device with Disk Utility - Apple Support. You might also review Repair security permissions for iTunes/Music for Mac - Apple Community to rule out any permissions issues.

tt2

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