This article explains how to use different methods to sync audio files from computer to iPhone without having to use iTunes. If you're using a Mac running Catalina or later, you can use the Finder window directly, rather than iTunes, to manage the music on your iPhone. If you're using a Windows computer and don't want to use iTunes, you can try a free program called MediaMonkey. If you have subscribed to Spotify Premium, you can use this service on both Windows and Mac to copy audio files directly to iPhone. If you need to transfer only some files to your iOS device, you can use the free Dropbox app that integrates a multimedia player.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Dropbox
Step 1. Log in with your Dropbox account on the platform's official site
This way, you can transfer audio files on your computer to Dropbox and listen to them directly on your iPhone using the Dropbox mobile app. The basic Dropbox account (the free version) has 2 GB of storage space available, but if you want you can switch to one of the following profiles: Dropbox Plus or Family (2 TB of storage space), Dropbox Professional (3 TB of storage) or Dropbox Business (5 TB of storage), depending on your needs.
Step 2. Install the Dropbox client on your computer
A Dropbox folder will be added to the menu bar (in the upper right corner of the Mac screen) or the taskbar (in the lower right corner of the Windows desktop). Any files copied into the folder will automatically sync with the Dropbox account.
Note:
Installing the Dropbox client is an optional step, but it makes the sync process a lot easier. If you do not want to install the program on your computer, you can use the web interface of the service available at this URL https://www.dropbox.com by logging in with your account.
Step 3. Copy the audio files you want to transfer to the iPhone in the Dropbox folder
To access the Dropbox client synchronization directory, click on the appropriate icon visible in the "System tray" area of the Windows taskbar (next to the system clock), then click on the folder button. Dropbox supports the following audio formats: ".mp3", ".aiff", ".m4a" and ".wav".
If you are using the Dropbox web interface, click on the item Upload file visible in the right panel of the page, select the files to copy and click on the button OK to start data transfer.
Step 4. Wait for the music to upload to Dropbox servers
If you have selected a large number of songs, the data transfer may take some time to complete, depending on the speed of your internet connection. You can monitor the progress of the data transfer directly from the Dropbox context menu, which you can access from the menu bar (on Mac) or from the system tray (on Windows).
Step 5. Install the Dropbox app on the iPhone
This is a free application that can be downloaded directly from the App Store. Once the installation is complete, launch the app and log in with your Dropbox account. Remember to use the same one you use on your computer.
Step 6. Tap the song you want to listen to
Dropbox can stream any audio file in your account. In this case, remember that the device will need to be connected to the internet. The songs you have chosen will play in the background even if you start using another application.
Step 7. Set a song as a favorite if you want to be able to listen to it even offline
Normally, Dropbox streams content using the internet connection, but if you want you can add the songs to your favorites list so that they are also available offline - that is, when the device is not connected to the internet.
- Swipe from left to right on the title of the song you want to keep on your device.
- Tap the star icon to store the file locally on the iPhone.
Method 2 of 4: Using MediaMonkey for Windows
Step 1. Download and install MediaMonkey
MediaMonkey is a free and popular media player for Windows that allows you to sync music to iPhone. You can download the installation file from this link.
The files that will be transferred from the computer to the iPhone will be visible within the Music app
Step 2. Install the desktop version of iTunes
Even if you won't be using iTunes to sync music to iPhone, the program must be installed on your computer so that the drivers that MediaMonkey will use to connect to the iOS device are present. If you downloaded iTunes from the Microsoft Store, you will need to uninstall it and reinstall the version available directly on the official Apple website. Follow these instructions:
- Press the key combination ⊞ Win + S to open the Windows search bar, type the keyword store, then click on the app Microsoft Store. Look for the iTunes app, if there is the "Install" button, you can close the store window and skip to the next step. If there is a "Start" button, go to the "Start" menu, click on the icon iTunes with the right mouse button and select the item Uninstall to remove the program from your computer.
- Visit the following URL https://www.apple.com/itunes, click on the link Windows placed next to "Are you looking for other versions?" and click on the blue button Download iTunes for Windows now for the correct version for your computer (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Run the iTunes installation file to install the program on your PC. Once the installation is complete, you will be able to launch iTunes.
- Access the menu Edit, click on the item Preferences, select the tab Devices and finally click on the check button "Prevent automatic synchronization of iPod, iPhone and iPad".
- Connect the iPhone to the PC and click on the corresponding icon that will appear in the upper left corner of the iTunes window. Scroll down to uncheck the "Automatically sync when this [iPhone_name] is connected" checkbox.
- Click on the tab Music listed in the left pane of the window and uncheck the "Sync Music" checkbox if it is checked. Repeat the step for the card Podcast, if you want MediaMonkey to be able to manage podcasts as well.
Step 3. Launch MediaMonkey while the iPhone is connected to the computer
If the iTunes window is still open, you can close it, as you will no longer have to use the Apple program.
Suggestion:
the first time you run MediaMonkey you will need to authorize the program to access all audio files on your PC. When MediaMonkey detects the files, they will automatically be added to the program library which you can then easily synchronize with your iPhone.
Step 4. Click on the iPhone entry visible in the left panel of the MediaMonkey window
The iPhone "Summary" tab will be displayed.
Step 5. Choose how to sync files
Click on the menu Tools, select the item Options, then click the tab Portable Device Sync to access the configuration settings. From here you can do the following:
- Click on the tab Auto-Sync to be able to choose whether or not to activate the automatic synchronization of your music. If you want MediaMonkey to automatically sync files as soon as the iPhone is connected to the PC, do not change the default settings. If you prefer to sync music manually, uncheck the "Auto-sync as soon as the device is connected" checkbox.
- Click on the tab Options to be able to modify the program preferences, including the possibility to choose how to manage the "ID3" tags and how some specific formats should be converted.
Step 6. Synchronize files with iPhone
If you have chosen to sync automatically, you can skip this step. If, on the other hand, you have chosen to perform manual synchronization, you will need to add the audio files to the program library and configure the necessary settings for them. There are two ways this step can be done:
- Click on a song or a selection of songs with the right mouse button, select the item Send To, then click the option Your iPhone.
- Select a song, an album or a playlist that you will have to drag on the iPhone icon present in the tree menu.
- Click on the iPhone icon, click on the tab Auto-Sync, select the music you want to sync, then click the button Apply to start the data synchronization process.
Method 3 of 4: Use the Finder Window (macOS Catalina and Later)
Step 1. Open a Finder window by clicking on the icon
It features a two-tone smiley placed directly on the Mac Dock. Normally, the Dock is anchored to the bottom of the screen.
Step 2. Connect iPhone to Mac
Once the device is detected by the Mac, the corresponding name will appear in the left pane of the Finder window under the "Locations" section.
If prompted, click the button Allow or Authorize to allow the iPhone to access the data on the Mac.
Step 3. Click on the iPhone icon listed in the left pane of the window
General information about the iOS device will be displayed in the main pane of the window.
Step 4. Click on the Music tab
It is located at the top of the right pane of the window.
Step 5. Select the "Sync music to iPhone" checkbox
It is visible at the top of the "Music" tab.
Step 6. Choose the music you want to sync
To fully sync your Mac music library to iPhone, select the "Entire Music Library" option. If you want to sync only some specific songs, choose the option "Selected playlists, artists, albums and genres". Both of these items are listed in the "Synchronization" section visible in the "Music" tab of the right pane of the Finder window.
- If you have chosen to sync specific songs, select the check button located next to the visible content at the bottom of the right pane of the Finder window.
- If you need to sync your videos as well, select the "Include videos" checkbox.
Step 7. Click the Apply button or Synchronize.
It is located in the lower right corner of the Finder window. If you have changed your sync settings, you will find the "Apply" button, otherwise you will see the "Sync" button. The music you have selected will be copied to the iPhone.
Method 4 of 4: Use Spotify Premium
Step 1. Subscribe to the Spotify Premium service
By switching to Spotify Premium, you will have the ability to sync audio files in MP3, M4P / AAC format (files purchased with iTunes or Apple Music and protected by DRM) and MP4 directly to the iPhone, provided that the Spotify app is on both your computer and iOS device. Click on this link to find out how to subscribe to Spotify Premium.
Step 2. Download and install the Spotify client on your computer
You can download the installation file from this URL https://www.spotify.com/download. After the Spotify installation is complete, log in using your Spotify Premium account.
Step 3. Go to Spotify configuration settings
Click on the menu located in the upper left corner of the Spotify window, choose the item Edit, then click the option Settings.
Step 4. Activate the "Show local files" slider
It is located in the "Local Files" section of the main panel.
Step 5. Import local audio files into Spotify
Follow these instructions:
- Activate the "Show local files" slider visible in the right pane of the window;
- Click on the button Add a source visible in the "Local files" section;
- Select the folder on your computer that contains your music, then click the button OK and Spotify will import all the files in the folder;
- All files that have been imported by the program will be visible in the tab Local files in the "Your Library" section of the left pane of the window. The file import process may take several minutes to complete.
Step 6. Create a new playlist with the files you want to sync to the iPhone
The iOS device can access files that have already been downloaded and stored on the computer if they have been placed in a playlist. Follow these instructions to create a new playlist:
- Click on the button + New playlist located in the lower left corner of the Spotify window;
- Name the playlist and click the button Create;
- Click on the tab Local files to view the list of files stored on your computer that have been imported to Spotify;
- Drag the songs you want to add to the new playlist on the corresponding icon, visible in the left panel of the window;
- Click on the playlist name listed in the left panel and make any changes you want;
- Activate the "Available offline" slider located in the upper right corner of the playlist pane. It will turn green.
Step 7. Install the Spotify app on the iPhone
You can download it for free from the App Store.
Note:
If the iPhone is not connected to the same Wi-Fi network that the computer on which the Spotify client is connected is connected, connect it now.
Step 8. Launch Spotify app on iPhone
It is characterized by a round green icon inside which three parallel black curved lines are visible. If you haven't signed in with your Premium account yet, follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 9. Tap on Your Library
It is characterized by an icon depicting the spines of three books placed vertically. It is located in the lower right corner of the screen. By default, your account's Spotify library will be displayed under the entry Playlist.
Step 10. Select the playlist you created on your computer
The contents of the playlist will be displayed.
Step 11. Activate the "Available offline" slider
It will turn green. At this point, the Spotify app will automatically download all the music in the playlist directly to the iPhone, so that you can also listen to it offline.
