{"id":"mac-storage-basics.where-are-music-files-stored-on-a-mac","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-music-files-stored-on-a-mac","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"photos-music-video","title":"Photos, music and video"},"question":"Where does the Music app store my songs, and can I change it?","alt_questions":["music media folder location","move music library external drive","itunes media folder mac","change music folder location mac","music app storage location"],"short_answer":"Song files live in the Music Media folder set in Music → Settings → Files. Change that location, then use File → Library → Organise Library → Consolidate files to copy them over.","answer_markdown":"Music keeps its library database in **Music** inside your home folder, and your song files in the **Music Media** folder (set in **Music → Settings → Files**). Apple Music streams and downloads are managed separately by the app.\n\nTo put your own song files on another drive, change the **Music Media folder location** in that settings pane, then use **File → Library → Organise Library…** and choose **Consolidate files** so existing songs are copied there. Check the songs play before deleting the old copies, and keep the drive connected when you use Music.","answer_html":"

Music keeps its library database in Music inside your home folder, and your song files in the Music Media folder (set in Music → Settings → Files). Apple Music streams and downloads are managed separately by the app.

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To put your own song files on another drive, change the Music Media folder location in that settings pane, then use File → Library → Organise Library… and choose Consolidate files so existing songs are copied there. Check the songs play before deleting the old copies, and keep the drive connected when you use Music.

","answer_text":"Music keeps its library database in Music inside your home folder, and your song files in the Music Media folder (set in Music → Settings → Files). Apple Music streams and downloads are managed separately by the app.\n\nTo put your own song files on another drive, change the Music Media folder location in that settings pane, then use File → Library → Organise Library… and choose Consolidate files so existing songs are copied there. Check the songs play before deleting the old copies, and keep the drive connected when you use Music.","tags":["music","itunes","library"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-remove-downloaded-tv-and-movies","question":"How do I remove downloaded movies and TV shows from my Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-remove-downloaded-tv-and-movies"},{"id":"mac-storage-basics.where-is-the-photos-library-stored-on-a-mac","question":"Where is my Photos library stored on my Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-is-the-photos-library-stored-on-a-mac"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Where does the Music app store my songs, and can I change it? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Song files live in the Music Media folder set in Music → Settings → Files. Change that location, then use File → Library → Organise Library → Consolidate files to copy them over.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"Where does the Music app store my songs, and can I change it?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-music-files-stored-on-a-mac"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-music-files-stored-on-a-mac","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Where does the Music app store my songs, and can I change it?","alternateName":["music media folder location","move music library external drive","itunes media folder mac","change music folder location mac","music app storage location"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Music keeps its library database in Music inside your home folder, and your song files in the Music Media folder (set in Music → Settings → Files). Apple Music streams and downloads are managed separately by the app.\n\nTo put your own song files on another drive, change the Music Media folder location in that settings pane, then use File → Library → Organise Library… and choose Consolidate files so existing songs are copied there. Check the songs play before deleting the old copies, and keep the drive connected when you use Music.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-music-files-stored-on-a-mac"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · Photos, music and video

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Where does the Music app store my songs, and can I change it?

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Short answer: Song files live in the Music Media folder set in Music → Settings → Files. Change that location, then use File → Library → Organise Library → Consolidate files to copy them over.

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Music keeps its library database in Music inside your home folder, and your song files in the Music Media folder (set in Music → Settings → Files). Apple Music streams and downloads are managed separately by the app.

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To put your own song files on another drive, change the Music Media folder location in that settings pane, then use File → Library → Organise Library… and choose Consolidate files so existing songs are copied there. Check the songs play before deleting the old copies, and keep the drive connected when you use Music.

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