What do you use to download and play MP3s on an iPhone in 2020

[Voltron]

Seems like such an obvious thing, but Claire wants to download her new Wilco music onto her iPhone and listen to it. Post iTunes and on the streaming era I'm not sure what she should do. 

[TMoney]

I think most of the streaming services let you download tracks for "offline" listening, so if you already subscribe to one that is what i'd check first.

[swt61]

I'm not sure why you wouldn't still use iTunes?

[swt61]

I believe that Amazon music let's you store your own music files in your cloud locker.

There's always the chance that I'm mistaken. 

[Voltron]

Maybe I'm mistaken but iTunes doesn't exist in the form you're thinking of. Apple Music is a pay service, and the iTunes Store is part of that. There is a "Music" app on the phone and you can play music that is downloaded but I'm not sure if you can add to that library without connecting to a computer. Just never do this anymore.

[Dusty Chalk]

I use Tidal on my iPad all the time, and I do indeed select "download for offline listening" all the time, she can do that with both albums and playlists.  Do you have a Tidal family plan or whatever it is, that includes Claire?  I do that all the time -- purchase via Bandcamp (just to support the artist directly), but then listen via Tidal (because it's easier, and I do most of my listening via Tidal all the time).  That said, Love is the King doesn't appear to be on Tidal yet, so...never mind.  Sorry.

I have Cubasis, so when I try to open an mp3, it tries to open in Cubasis, so I should probably just stop talking.

Oh, look, there's a foobar2000 app.  That's what I am doing.

[Voltron]

We have Spotify, not Tidal. You can DL Spotify music for offline listening but I'm not sure you can DL and access files from elsewhere, like her Wilco MP3s.

[Dusty Chalk]

If she can get it to the phone (worst case, WeTransfer, LOL), then I recommend foobar2000 for playing.

[HiWire]

If she has an iCloud account, she could upload the .mp3 files to iCloud Drive. Then, if she is also logged into iCloud on her iPhone, she should be able to open the files using Files on her iPhone.

Alternatively, I think you can still import those music files into the Music app on a Mac computer (still iTunes on a PC), then sync with the iPhone over USB or wi-fi.

[Dusty Chalk]

I started setting up Foobar2000, and there’s actually a step for synchronizing your collection.  TuneFUsion (or FTP, lollers).  I already have foobar2000 set up, so it’s a no-brainer for me how I’m going to do it. You can also drop the files in the foobar2000 folder or your iPod folder.  Does she have an app called “iTunes Store”?

[swt61]

Your best bet may be to hire Wilco to follow her around. 

[blessingx]

Apple Music can download tracks (from Cloud, don't need to connect to computer). Tidal can download. Qobuz can download. All services though. 

 

[sbelyo]

8 hours ago, swt61 said:

I believe that Amazon music let's you store your own music files in your cloud locker.

There's always the chance that I'm mistaken. 

They do

At least she is using Itunes.  My wife is trying to figure out how to play CD's

Edited October 7, 2020 by sbelyo

[luvdunhill]

Isn’t a dongle the answer? Ya know, use the camera kit connector with the USB-C to Thunderbolt connector to Lightening Cable?

[blessingx]

Maybe setup a free 30 day trial for one of the services to download? She'll be back to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by then. 🥴

Edited October 8, 2020 by blessingx

[swt61]

On 10/8/2020 at 12:29 PM, luvdunhill said:

Isn’t a dongle the answer? 

Depends on whether or not you have a headache. 

[Fitz]

1 hour ago, swt61 said:

Depends on whether or not you have a headache. 

What if it was the dongle that gave you the headache?

[swt61]

Then you must be plugging it into the wrong dock.

[Fitz]

That would certainly explain a lot...