Import songs from CDs into iTunes on Mac
You can import songs from CDs into your iTunes library. Once you import songs, you can listen to them without having the original CD in the disc drive.
The default encoding format is AAC. To change formats, see Choose import settings.
Import songs from CDs into your iTunes library
iTunes imports most songs in a few minutes, and an entire CD in about 10 minutes.
In the iTunes app
on your Mac, insert an audio CD into your computer’s CD or DVD drive, or into an external drive that’s connected to your computer.If you don’t see info for the CD, click the CD button
near the top left of the iTunes window.Do one of the following:
Import all songs on the CD: Click Yes in the window that appears. iTunes starts importing the CD. When it’s finished, go to step 6.
Prevent certain songs from being imported: Click No and go to step 3.
When the list of songs appears in the iTunes window, click to remove the tick next to any songs you don’t want to import.
If you don’t see tickboxes next to the songs, choose iTunes > Preferences, click General, then make sure “List view tickboxes” is selected.
If you’re not connected to the Internet or if iTunes can’t find the CD’s information, songs appear as “Track 01”, “Track 02” and so on. See If you don’t see songs in iTunes.
To add the selected songs to your library, click Import CD near the top right of the iTunes window.
Select your import settings, then click OK.
To cancel importing, click Stop Importing.
Any songs that iTunes imports before you cancel importing are added to your iTunes library.
When the songs are finished importing, click the Eject button
near the top right of the iTunes window.
You can continue to use iTunes while songs are importing.
Choose what happens when you insert a CD
In the iTunes app
on your Mac, choose iTunes > Preferences, then click General.Click the “When a CD is inserted” pop-up menu, then choose an option:
Show CD: iTunes opens the CD but doesn’t play or import it.
Play CD: iTunes begins playing the CD without importing it.
Ask to Import CD: iTunes opens the CD and asks if you want to import it.
Import CD: iTunes automatically imports the CD.
Import CD and Eject: iTunes imports the CD, then ejects it. This is a good option if you plan to import a lot of CDs.
If you have trouble importing songs from an audio CD
In the iTunes app on your Mac, if iTunes doesn’t recognise audio CDs or if you’re having trouble importing songs, check the following:
If error correction is turned on, it can take longer to import CDs. Choose iTunes > Preferences, click General, then click Import Settings. If the “Use error correction when reading Audio CDs” tickbox is not selected, select it. If it’s already selected, deselect it.
If you have more than one CD or DVD drive, try using iTunes with each drive.
If it’s taking a long time to import a song (more than 10 minutes) from an audio CD, the CD may be dirty or scratched. Try cleaning the CD with a soft, lint-free cloth, then importing the songs again.
If you still have trouble importing songs, visit the iTunes for Mac or Windows Support website.
If imported songs don’t sound right
If you hear popping or clicking noises when you play songs imported from a CD, your disc drive may not have read the CD correctly. Try turning on error correction and then importing those songs again.
To turn on error correction when importing songs from CDs:
In the iTunes app
on your Mac, choose iTunes > Preferences, then click General.Click Import Settings.
Select “Use error correction when reading Audio CDs”.
Insert the CD and import the songs again.
To prevent duplicate items from appearing in your iTunes library, delete any songs you’ve imported again.
To learn how to add other content to iTunes, see How to add items.