You’ve got a stack of CDs collecting dust on a shelf: albums not on any streaming service, or a collection worth having as a proper backup. Worth a look, because ripping them is still pretty painless.
On macOS, use the Music app. On Windows, use iTunes. Apple’s newer Apple Music app for Windows isn’t a reliable replacement for CD importing yet, Apple’s own documentation still points Windows users to iTunes for this task.
What You’ll Need
- An optical drive. Most Macs haven’t shipped with one in years, so you’ll probably need an external USB CD/DVD drive. The Apple USB SuperDrive works, and cheaper third-party options do too. On Apple Silicon, USB-C drives are easy to find, or you can use a USB-A drive with a simple adapter.
- Music (macOS) or iTunes (Windows)
Ripping a CD on Mac (Music App)
Step 1: Set Your Import Format
Before inserting anything, open Music and go to Music > Settings, then click the Files tab and hit Import Settings.
In the dialog, pick your encoder:
- Apple Lossless Encoder: a bit-for-bit audio copy, no quality loss, larger files. The right choice for an archive you plan to keep.
- AAC Encoder or MP3 Encoder: smaller files, minor quality trade-off. Fine if storage is tight or you’re making a quick backup.
Also turn on Use error correction when reading Audio CDs. It adds roughly 30 seconds per track, but it catches read errors on scratched or older discs. Leave it on.
Step 2: Insert the CD
Put the disc in the drive. Music reads it and looks up track names automatically. If it finds more than one match in its database, it’ll ask you to choose the right album, pick it, and the names fill in.
If tracks show up as “Track 1,” “Track 2” with no names, look for a Get Track Names option in the controls near the CD view. Obscure or regional releases sometimes aren’t in the database, and you’ll need to enter the metadata manually.
Step 3: Review the Metadata
Before importing, check the album details. Look for a CD Info option to verify the album name, artist, and year. Major releases are usually accurate. Independent releases and regional pressings sometimes have gaps, fix anything wrong now, since editing individual tracks after the import is more tedious.
Step 4: Import the CD
Click Import CD. A progress bar runs along the top of the window, and a green checkmark appears next to each track as it finishes. A standard album takes under two minutes. Nicely done.
The tracks land in your Music library automatically. To find where they sit on disk, go to Music > Settings > Files and check the Music Media folder location field.
Ripping a CD on Windows (iTunes)
Step 1: Set Your Import Format
Open iTunes, go to Edit > Preferences > General, and click Import Settings.
Same choices, Apple Lossless for archival quality, AAC or MP3 for smaller files. Turn on Use error correction when reading Audio CDs here too.
Step 2: Insert the CD
Put the disc in. iTunes detects it and shows the track list. If there are multiple database matches, it’ll prompt you to pick the right one.
If track names are missing, look for a settings icon near the top of the iTunes window and select Get Track Names.
Step 3: Review the Metadata and Import
Select CD Info from the same menu to check the album details. When everything looks right, click Import CD.
A green checkmark appears next to each track as it finishes.
Your files end up in the iTunes Media folder. To find the exact path, go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced.
Troubleshooting
The disc isn’t detected. Check that the drive is connected and recognized. Eject and reinsert the disc. If you’re using a USB hub, plug the drive directly into a port on the computer instead.
Track names are missing. The album may not be in the database, common with regional pressings, independent releases, and burned discs. Select all tracks, right-click, and use Get Info to enter the metadata by hand.
The rip sounds glitchy or has pops. Confirm error correction is on in your Import Settings. If the disc is visibly scratched, wipe it gently with a lint-free cloth, moving from the center outward (not in circles), then try again.
The import is extremely slow. Error correction on a damaged disc takes longer, that’s expected. On a clean disc with a functional drive, a standard album finishes in under two minutes.
Better Alternatives for Larger Jobs
Music and iTunes cover most situations. For large collections or archival work where accuracy matters more, dedicated software is worth knowing about.
XLD (Mac, free) is what serious CD collectors on macOS reach for. It verifies each track during the rip, supports a wide range of output formats, and gives you precise control over error handling. If you’re working through a big stack of discs, XLD is the better tool, worth bookmarking before you start.
Nero Burning ROM (Windows) has a dedicated audio ripping workflow and is actively maintained. If you’re doing more than a handful of albums, it’s worth a look.
For a one-off personal rip, Music or iTunes is plenty. For a larger collection, XLD on Mac and Nero on Windows are the right tools for the job.
You can find more information about importing songs from CDs on Apple’s support page. Additionally, you can check out this article on Apple Insider for more tips on ripping CDs. If you’re having trouble with your iTunes library, you can try recovering your iTunes library from an iPhone.