User profile for user: ghe
ghe Author
User level: Level 1
32 points

Why won't my Apple USB SuperDrive play CDs on iMac?

My SuperDrive is 20 years old. It worked fine with my old iMac but will not work with my recently purchased iMac m4. I used a USB C to USB Adapter, Type C Thunderbolt 4 OTG converter to plug it into the computer itself rather than a hub. It shows up on my desktop and when I insert a CD it recognizes it and displays it in Music. But it will not play the CD. It offers to import the CD but when I tried it seemed to never end spinning and never actually import the songs.

Am I doing something wrong or do I have the wrong adapter? Or am I simply out of luck and will have to purchase a new CD/DVD player?

Thanks in advance for any help.

george


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 24″, macOS 15.4

Posted on Apr 13, 2025 11:19 AM

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User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
User level: Level 10
213,189 points

Apr 15, 2025 10:24 AM in response to ghe

Strange. It should be there, unless it detects no supported accessory. Maybe the SuperDrive does not count as an accessory?


If the DVD works, it means the adapter and connection is fine.


So what exactly happens when you try to play a track from a music CD? Does it issue an error?


You should be able to double click on a track in the Music App to start playing.


The error, indicates an access issue. See the following thread: Application.musicdb cannot be read (Error… - Apple Community


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User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
User level: Level 10
213,189 points

Apr 14, 2025 11:59 AM in response to ghe

Go to System Settings ➜ Privacy & Security ➜ Files and Folders ➜ Music App and make sure the switch for "Removable Volumes" is turned on.


You should also go to, Settings ➜ Privacy & Security ➜ Accessories ➜ Allow Accessories to Connect and make sure its set to Always Allow.


Quit the Music App and restart it and see if it works.

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User profile for user: ghe
ghe Author
User level: Level 1
32 points

Apr 15, 2025 8:54 AM in response to ghe

Thanks again. I appreciate your diligence and willingness to help. Unfortunately all mine shows is FileVault and Lockdown Mode. No Accessories. Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to do something else to get it to display?


I also got this pop-up when I put a CD in the drive: The file “Application.musicdb” cannot be read. An unknown error occurred (-54).



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Why won't my Apple USB SuperDrive play CDs on iMac?

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