Playing my own, ripped, music using Carplay?

[clockworks]

I'm normally pretty good with tech stuff, but I'm confused by this.

I normally play music in the car directly from a USB drive. I ripped most of it from my own CDs many years ago, on a Windows computer. Files are now stored on an external HDD connected to my iMac, and backed up on a Synergy NAS.

I just drag and drop stuff onto whatever media I can connect to the car. Both current cars have a regular USB port. Works fine, using the car head units.

I borrowed a USB to lightning cable and tried Carplay to see what all the fuss was about.
There's no music at all on my iPhone (last year's model), but over 90gb free space.

What's the easiest way to get my music from the external HDD, via my iMac, and onto my iPhone? Then, what's the best way to play it in the car via Carplay?

I'm fairly new to iOS, having used Samsung phones for years.

I'd prefer to stay away from iTunes if possible, as I don't use it indoors. Last time I tried iTunes, I ended up with duplicate music files everywhere.

[grumbledoak]

Brace yourself.

I'm afraid it's iTunes to sync your music collection with the iPhone

then Music to play it in the car.

[markiii]

You can copy direct to iPhone but need 3rd party software to do it

One of many reasons I moved to android

[BlueMR2]

Itunes isn't a thing anymore.

You can use finder, choose the phone, then music tab.

Then you can choose selected artists, playlists etc and choose the artists or songs you want, it can randomly fill the space too if you want.

[P40L VX]

I use Plex for Video and Plex Amp for Audio. Plex amp can either act as a streamer direct from your NAS over WiFi/5g or you can download media from your NAS to your phone over your local network. It then all integrates into CarPlay and has its own little player.

[clockworks]

Using Finder to transfer doesn't seem to work for "random" files and folders?
Phone is connected to the iMac OK, but I can only seem to sync a tiny part of my music files. Do they have to be in a specific location or library on the iMac? If I just try to drag and drop, it doesn't work.

I've installed Plexamp on the phone, and it connects to my Synology. Very confusing interface!


Edit:
Think I've figured out the Finder method - I added the contents of a folder to the "Music" app on the iMac, then synced music to my iPhone.
Currently copying, and will see what happens when I use Carplay.

Edited by clockworks on Monday 9th October 08:24

[mjcneat]

I'm not sure if you meant to type you have a Synology NAS?

If so, Synology have their own app to play music straight from your NAS. It's called DS Audio.

I'm not an Apple user but I can certainly use the app via Android Auto and just on my phone generally.

[clockworks]

Sorry, yes it's a Synology NAS.

I want to try using Carplay, rather than a USB stick, to play the music in the car, so I need to store it on the phone.

For playing in the house, I have a few different media players that can access the NAS.

[Freakuk]

You will need to add your music files into Apple Music, you can leave the music where it is on the your drives and just drag/drop to Apple Music (you will need to change the preferences for this or it will create another copy in a different audio format).

You can then create playlists within Apple Music and then through Finder sync those playlists to your phone and then you should be able to use CarPlay.

[mjcneat]

clockworks said:

Sorry, yes it's a Synology NAS.

I want to try using Carplay, rather than a USB stick, to play the music in the car, so I need to store it on the phone.

For playing in the house, I have a few different media players that can access the NAS.

DS Audio can do that - it streams directly from your NAS so you don't have to actually store the music files on your phone. However it is subject to you have an internet connection whilst using Car Play. It usually pre-downloads the next song and I have never had an issue with streaming from my NAS and do quite a bit of driving for work.

https://kb.synology.com/en-uk/DSM/help/DSaudio/iPh...

[eeLee]

DS Play should work with CarPlay. Once you try it, you might find you don't use it any more....

....it's very average
....it will kill your battery
....the interface is annoying and it does not yet know about head-up displays

If you want Apple Music to play the tunes then as said you would need to sync those tracks to your phone.

[simon_harris]

I use media monkey to get music onto my iphone, works pretty well.

[tixoc]

How many replies does it take to explain how to use an iPhone? Throw that mickey mouse device away and buy a real phone.

[clockworks]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've just done a deal to swap my cars, and the new one doesn't have Carplay...

[BlueMR2]

[sjg]

P40L VX said:

I use Plex for Video and Plex Amp for Audio. Plex amp can either act as a streamer direct from your NAS over WiFi/5g or you can download media from your NAS to your phone over your local network. It then all integrates into CarPlay and has its own little player.

I do the same, my music library is much bigger than my iphone storage. Works well.

[maccas99]

mjcneat said:

DS Audio can do that - it streams directly from your NAS so you don't have to actually store the music files on your phone. However it is subject to you have an internet connection whilst using Car Play. It usually pre-downloads the next song and I have never had an issue with streaming from my NAS and do quite a bit of driving for work.

https://kb.synology.com/en-uk/DSM/help/DSaudio/iPh...

Even though the OP is changing to a different car, this is the correct answer to the question. In addition, DS Audio can also save files offline for play without an internet connection if you live in an area with challenging reception.

[Shiv_P]

This is one of the reasons why iOS pisses me off, can't simply copy and paste infuriating!!!!!

[clockworks]

Shiv_P said:

This is one of the reasons why iOS pisses me off, can't simply copy and paste infuriating!!!!!

Apple do like to make things simple for the majority, but hard/impossible for the few.

I only switched from Android to iPhone because the Apple watch suits me more than the Samsung one.

Love my iMac and Mac Mini, iPhone continually frustrates me.

[BigTZ4M]

It's not going to be a popular answer (Apple taking more of your money) but you can subscribe to iTunes Match https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204146

This will effectively let you add your own ripped music to Apple Music in the cloud and have it available on all your devices anywhere you have an internet connection. You'd then just use apple music through carplay.