While most laptops and desktops have phased out CD drives due to the rise of digital downloads, physical CDs still serve a niche purpose. As a result, there are still those who prefer to import CDs into their music library for listening across various devices.
Despite streaming services dominating the music industry, there are compelling reasons to purchase physical CDs like exclusive bonus tracks from retailers like Target. If you find yourself in this situation, here are three methods to transfer music from a CD to your Mac and iPhone for digital consumption.
Apple’s History With the Optical Drive
Although Apple once included CD drives in products like the MacBook Pro and iMac, they are no longer a standard feature.
The Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMac previously featured a slot for inserting a CD to listen to or import into iTunes. The only Mac that never included a CD drive was the MacBook Air, the first Apple laptop to launch without an optical drive.
Over time, Apple phased out optical drives across its Mac lineup due to the rise of digital downloads and the need to allocate space for other internal components. In 2011, Apple removed the drive from the Mac mini; in 2012, the MacBook Pro and iMac also lost it.
Despite this, Apple continued selling an external optical drive called the USB SuperDrive, which connected via USB-A and functioned like a built-in drive.
However, in August 2024, Apple discontinued the USB SuperDrive due to the continued decline of physical media and the shift toward slimmer, more compact computer designs.
1
Connect an External CD Drive
Although Apple discontinued its external CD drive, numerous alternatives remain available online at affordable prices.
While different versions of optical drives exist, they all function similarly and serve the same purpose—importing data from a physical CD or DVD. Simply plug them in, and they begin working immediately, much like a flash or external hard drive when transferring data.
This is the simplest method for transferring data from a physical disk to your Mac. Once you insert the disk into the external drive, it will appear in the Finder app, and the content will be automatically processed based on what you’ve inserted.
Suppose you’re using an optical drive to import music from a CD into your library. In that case, the audio files will automatically be imported into the Music application upon insertion, making them ready for further processing.
External optical drives are also a worthwhile investment due to their longevity. I’ve used mine for more than 16 years, starting with a Toshiba netbook, and it still functions flawlessly with my M2 MacBook Air. This durability allows you to import years’ worth of physical CDs without worrying about replacing the drive due to age.
Another advantage of modern external optical drives is that many now double as port hubs. Unlike earlier versions that primarily read disks, newer models often include additional USB ports and an SD card slot, similar to a traditional hub.
If you don’t own an external optical drive, consider checking your local public library, as some offer these devices for borrowing. Students may also be able to access them through their school’s computer center.
Using an external disk drive is simple—just plug it in, insert a disk, and import your files. With some models available for under $20, investing in one is an easy and affordable way to transfer old and new CDs onto your Mac.
2
Use a Different Computer With the Same Apple ID
If you don’t have an external CD drive or prefer not to invest in one, there are alternative ways to add physical CDs to your music library—one is using another computer, especially an older one you may no longer use.
You’ll need another computer and access to your Apple account in the Music app, whether on Windows or Mac. Once logged in, insert the physical CD into the disk drive and let the Music app import the tracks. After importing the CD, ensure that iCloud Music Library is enabled. This feature allows your music to sync wirelessly across devices.
With iCloud Music Library enabled, your music library will be accessible on all your devices, including the physical album added through the computer with an optical drive.
Once the CD is imported, you can store it away. Since the album is now in your library, you can customize its details, such as artwork, title, and song order, subject to Apple’s limitations, depending on your device.
While this method may not be the most efficient way to add physical CDs to your library, it remains functional. I still have my old laptop from 2013 with a built-in optical drive, and I use it solely for importing CDs into my music library. It might be a slow process, but it’s ultimately worth it.
If you’re upgrading to a new computer and your old one has a built-in CD drive, consider keeping it instead of recycling it. It could still be used to digitize your physical music collection.
3
Import the Songs From an External Drive
If you don’t want to purchase an external disc drive and don’t have another computer to use with your Apple account logged in, you can use public computers and external drives as an alternative.
Public places like libraries, college campuses, and community centers often provide computers for use or checkout, many of which may still have a built-in CD drive.
Use an external drive and do not log into your account on these computers because logging into your account on a public device poses privacy concerns. Using a flash drive or external hard drive to transfer your files instead is a more secure alternative.
To do this, bring your physical CD and external drive to a public computer, insert the disc, and plug in the external drive. The application to extract audio files will depend on the computer’s operating system. You can use free apps like EAC (Windows) and foobar2000 (Windows and Mac) to accomplish this task.
Once you locate the audio files, copy them onto your external drive. If transferring multiple CDs, consider creating separate folders for each disc. After completing the transfer, securely eject the flash drive and the disc to prevent data loss or corruption.
Related
Do You Really Need to Safely Eject External Drives?
With how far we’ve come in consumer technology, haven’t we outgrown ejecting drives?
Next, connect the external drive with its audio files to your Mac. The audio files will appear in the Finder app, where you can easily import them into the Music app. With iCloud Music Library enabled, your music will sync automatically across all Apple devices logged into the same account, making the process seamless.
Once the transfer is complete, securely eject the external drive from your Mac and store it for future use. The imported music will now be accessible on all your devices and available for offline listening.
This method is ideal for those who prefer not to invest in an external CD drive or lack access to another computer with a built-in one. It’s a simple, quick, and free solution using public community resources.
It’s fair to say that most music today is consumed digitally through streaming services, a trend that has dominated for over a decade with no signs of slowing down.
However, there remains an audience that values CDs, making it worthwhile to know how to import them into a digital music library—especially as modern computers no longer include built-in optical drives. For Apple Music subscribers, the service can automatically detect and convert imported songs to their Dolby Atmos versions—if available—for an enhanced listening experience.
Personally, I stream most of my music through Apple Music. Still, as long as my favorite artists keep releasing Target-exclusive tracks, I’ll keep buying those CDs and adding them to my iCloud Music Library.
