Migrating Your Media to macOS Catalina Without iTunes

With the release of macOS Catalina, iTunes has been replaced by three new apps: Music, TV, and Podcasts. This change might seem daunting if you are used to using iTunes for managing all your media files. However, with the new Finder, you can still seamlessly transfer your media files to your iPhone. In this guide, we will explore how to continue using your media, specifically focusing on copying media files such as videos and music from your Mac to your iPhone using Finder in macOS Catalina.

Understanding the New macOS Catalina Setup

When you first update to macOS Catalina, you might find that iTunes is nowhere to be seen. Instead, three new apps have taken its place: Music, TV, and Podcasts. These apps are designed to replace the features of iTunes on your Mac and iPhone, and they do a fantastic job. However, some users may want to continue managing their media files, and thus need a way to copy their files to their iPhone.

Using Finder to Sync Media Files on macOS Catalina

Apple has made the transition smoother by providing an easy-to-use interface in Finder. Here’s how you can continue to transfer your media files:

Synchronizing Media with Your iPhone

The easiest way to transfer media files to your iPhone is through Finder. When you connect your iPhone to your Mac, you will see it listed in the sidebar of Finder. You can then navigate to your media files (e.g., Movies, Music, etc.) on your Mac and drag them into the folder representing your iPhone in Finder. The files will then sync to your iPhone.

Using the 'Sync with iPhone' Feature in Finder

Finder now includes a 'Sync with iPhone' feature that automates the process of copying specific media files to your iPhone. To use this feature, select the media files you want to sync, then go to the 'Finder' menu and click on 'Sync with iPhone.' This will automatically start the sync process, and the files will be transferred to your iPhone without you having to manually drag and drop them.

Managing Sync Settings

If you want more granular control over which media files you sync to your iPhone, you can adjust the sync settings in Finder. When you have your iPhone connected, go to the 'Finder' menu and select 'Preferences.' In the 'Sync with iPhone' section, you can choose which categories of media files (e.g., Movies, Music, Books) you want to sync. You can also opt to include or exclude specific files based on their creation dates, sizes, or other metadata.

Optimizing Your iPhone’s Storage

To optimize your iPhone’s storage and ensure that you only sync the files you need, it’s a good idea to clean up your media library on your Mac. Remove any files that are no longer needed, and delete duplicates to free up space. You can then use Finder to sync only the important and recent media files to your iPhone.

Using VLC to Manage Media

For those who use VLC to manage video files, you can continue to do so. VLC is available on both Mac and iPhone, and you can connect your iPhone to your Mac and transfer video files to your iPhone using Finder. Once the files are on your iPhone, you can access them using the vanilla VLC app or any other video player on your iPhone.

Conclusion

While the new macOS Catalina and its trio of Music, TV, and Podcasts apps may feel like a break from the familiar iTunes interface, you can still seamlessly manage and sync your media files. With Finder, you can easily transfer media files to your iPhone and continue using your favorite media players like VLC. Remember to optimize your media library and use the 'Sync with iPhone' feature to ensure a smooth and efficient transfer process. Happy syncing!