iTunes syncing is gone from the Mac and awkward everywhere else, and it only ever handled the formats Apple liked. The modern way is simpler: get the files into a folder the Files app can see, then point a player at that folder. Here are the four ways to do the first part, and how to do the second in MP95.
1. iCloud Drive (easiest, needs iCloud space)
- On your computer, put the album folder in iCloud Drive.
- On the phone, open Files → iCloud Drive and wait for the folder to download (tap the cloud icon on the folder to download everything).
- In MP95, open the library, tap Add folder, and pick it.
Tip: download the folder in Files first. A folder that is still in the cloud will play, but each file downloads on first play.
2. A cable and Finder (fastest for big collections)
- Connect the iPhone to a Mac. It appears in the Finder sidebar.
- Open it, go to the Files tab, and find MP95.
- Drag your folders in. They copy at cable speed.
- In MP95, the app folder is already in the library. Pull to refresh if it does not show the new albums.
On Windows, the same tab exists in the Apple Devices app.
3. AirDrop (a few albums at a time)
Select the files on the Mac, share with AirDrop, choose the phone, and when asked which app to open them in, pick MP95. They land in the app folder.
4. A USB drive (no computer needed after the first time)
Plug a USB-C drive into the phone. It appears in the Files app as a location. Either add the drive's folder directly in MP95 (it plays from the drive while connected) or copy the folder to On My iPhone in Files and add that.
Songs you already bought in the Music app
MP95 can import songs you own that are downloaded on the device: library → Import from Music. Streaming-only tracks cannot be imported; no third-party app can play them.
Formats
MP3, FLAC, ALAC, AAC (M4A), WAV, AIFF and CAF. Lossless files play bit-for-bit. Album art embedded in the files, or a cover image in the folder, is picked up automatically. See how to play FLAC on iPhone.
Removing a folder
Library → Folders → swipe the folder. Only its tracks leave the library; playlists and favourites for everything else stay where they were.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put MP3 files on my iPhone without iTunes?
Put them in iCloud Drive, drag them in with a cable in Finder, AirDrop them, or use a USB drive, then add the folder in a player like MP95.
Can I play music from a USB drive on iPhone?
Yes. Plug the drive in, and add its folder in MP95. It plays while the drive is connected.
Do I need to convert files first?
No. MP95 plays MP3, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, WAV, AIFF and CAF as they are.