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- [2026 Guide] How to Get iTunes to Scan Computer for Music
You can let iTunes scan for music on computer, and then sync them to your iPhone/iPad. Get detailed guide in this passage.
By Demi / Updated on January 3, 2025
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How do I get my iTunes to scan my computer for music
Hello, I just got a new computer and I have all my old mp3 files on my disc. How do I get iTunes to scan my drive and import all my 1,000 songs at one time?
- Question from Apple Community
iTunes is widely used to manage media files. You can also transfer music from computer to iPhone/iPad with the help of iTunes so that you can enjoy music on your iPhone anywhere at any time.
You need to make iTunes scan for music on computer first to add these songs to the iTunes library, then sync music to iPhone. Keep reading this guide, you can get detailed instructions about how to get iTunes to scan for music and sync them to your iPhone/iPad.
- Part 1. Detailed steps to make iTunes scan computer for music
- Part 2. How to sync iTunes library to iPhone
- Part 3. Import music to iPhone/iPad without iTunes
- Conclusion
Part 1. Detailed steps to make iTunes scan computer for music
You’re able to use iTunes to search for music on your computer, then add them to your iTunes library. Before any steps, please update iTunes to the latest version on your computer.
How to make iTunes scan for music: Run iTunes, click File > Select Add File to Library > Then, the Add File to Library window opens and displays your folders that store music.
Add music to iTunes library: Choose the music you’d like to transfer to your iPhone > Click Open to add it to iTunes library. You can also browse and add music from other folders by clicking them from the left pane.
To check if you have added music to iTunes library successfully, you can head to Music at the top of your library to have a look.
Part 2. How to sync iTunes library to iPhone
It may not enough to make iTunes scan for music for you. To enjoy music on your iPhone or iPad, the steps below help you transfer iTunes library to iPhone.
Before following the steps to sync iTunes library directly to iPhone, please note that it will erase the music from iCloud Music Library on your iPhone. To keep iCloud Music Library, you can import music to iPhone/iPad without iTunes using the tool mentioned in Part 3. If you’re OK, follow the steps below to sync iTunes library to iPhone.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer > Open iTunes > Click the phone icon.
Step 2. Select Music under Settings > Check Sync Music > Select music from iTunes library > Click Apply to start.
Part 3. Import music to iPhone/iPad without iTunes
When importing music to iPhone/iPad using iTunes, you may not only take the risk of losing data but also find iTunes creating duplicate playlist sometimes. Actually, you don’t have to let iTunes scan for music before transferring it to iPhone. You can rely on the powerful transfer tool - FoneBackup to make the process simpler and faster.
Why you choose FoneBackup
• No data loss. It won’t erase any data on your iPhone when transferring music to iPhone via FoneBackup.
• All music tracks supported. iTunes just allows you to sync purchased music to iPhone, while FoneBackup supports transferring both purchased and non-purchased music.
• Multiple transfer functions. Besides computer to iPhone transfer, FoneBackup also supports iPhone to computer, iPhone to iPhone transfer.
Free download FoneBackup to your computer. Then follow the simple three steps to import music from computer to iPhone/iPad using FoneBackup.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone/iPad to computer > Launch FoneBackup and click Phone Transfer. Go to PC to iPhone and click Start Transfer.
Step 2. Click the add icon > Choose the music from folders that you want to add to iPhone > Click Open to continue.
Step 3. You can browse and make sure you have added all wanted music from computer > Click Start Transfer to start the process.
Besides music, you can also transfer photos, videos, and contacts among iOS devices and computer with FoneBackup. It works well with iPhone (from iPhone 4 to the latest iPhone 15), iPad, and iPod.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can make iTunes scan for music from computer to add and sync music to iPhone. Given the limitations and complex operations of iTunes, it’s more suggested to utilize the professional FoneBackup. If this guide helps you, please share it with others.
Demi from AOMEI group, knows iOS devices like the back of her hand. She's great at fixing problems and keeping data safe. She loves to help people keep their iOS running well. When not teaching, Demi enjoys hiking and taking pictures of nature.