PhaseShift is built for music you already own, whether that means one album in FLAC or a carefully arranged library with artist, album, and disc subfolders. In PhaseShift v1.2 for macOS, you can add a complete folder from Settings, upload one through the private Wi-Fi server, or use the guided Import Folder command. This guide explains each method and how the Library Organization setting changes where new files are stored.

Choose Library Organization Before You Import

Open PhaseShift Settings and select Library Organization before starting a large transfer. Choose Preserve Folders when you want PhaseShift to retain the directory tree supplied by Wi-Fi Transfer, Import Folder, Network Sources, Finder, or iTunes. A folder such as Artist/2026 - Album/Disc 1 stays meaningful inside the app instead of being flattened into a list of tracks.

Choose Auto-Organize when the files have reliable embedded tags and you want PhaseShift to create a consistent Artist/Album hierarchy for you. The original filename is kept. If artist or album information is missing, PhaseShift uses Unknown Artist or Unknown Album rather than losing the file. This preference applies to future imports only; changing it does not move music that is already in your library.

Method 1: Add a Folder from Settings → Music Folder

For direct control over the destination, open Settings and tap Music Folder. This screen shows the real files and folders managed by PhaseShift. On your Mac, drag a folder from Finder into the open Music Folder window. Drop it on the current directory to add it there, or drop it directly onto an existing folder to use that folder as the destination.

PhaseShift copies the complete directory, scans its subfolders for supported audio, and adds the songs it finds to the library. A result message reports how many items were copied and how many songs were added. Existing managed songs are not registered a second time, and a name conflict receives a numbered suffix instead of silently replacing another file.

Dragging into Music Folder is the best option when you want to decide the exact destination yourself. Because you are placing the folder directly into managed storage, PhaseShift keeps that dropped location rather than running the files through Auto-Organize. You can return to Settings → Music Folder afterward to open subfolders, preview files, verify the hierarchy, or safely delete a managed item and its related library entries.

Method 2: Upload a Folder with Wi-Fi Transfer

Wi-Fi Transfer is useful when the folder is on another computer or when you want to send music to PhaseShift without a cable. In the Library, open the add-music menu with the plus button and choose WiFi Transfer. Turn on Transfer Server, then leave that screen open. PhaseShift displays a local address and a six-digit transfer PIN.

Connect the Mac or PC containing your music to the same Wi-Fi network, enter the displayed address in a web browser, and use the PIN to unlock the upload page. If the browser warns about the local self-signed certificate, use its Advanced option to continue; the local connection is still encrypted. Drag the music folder onto the page or choose Choose Folder. PhaseShift scans nested subfolders and adds supported files as each upload finishes, so keep the transfer screen open until the queue is complete.

Wi-Fi folder uploads follow the Library Organization mode you selected in Settings. Preserve Folders retains the uploaded relative paths. Auto-Organize reads artist and album tags and places future audio imports under Artist/Album. The browser uploads audio before playlist files so M3U, M3U8, and PLS entries have songs available to match.

Method 3: Use Import Folder on macOS

For a guided local import, open the plus menu in the PhaseShift Library and choose Import Folder. Select the top-level music folder in the macOS picker. PhaseShift scans that folder recursively for MP3, M4A, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, CAF, OGG, DSF, DFF, and other recognized audio, along with CUE sheets and M3U, M3U8, or PLS playlists.

Before copying begins, a summary shows the number of audio files, CUE sheets, and playlists found, their combined size, and how many hidden or unsupported items will be skipped. Confirm the import to begin. A progress window shows the current file, and you can cancel while keeping items that already finished. The final summary identifies songs added, existing items skipped, playlists imported, unmatched playlist entries, and any errors that need attention.

The native folder importer also follows Library Organization. It processes audio first, then CUE sheets, then playlists so sidecar files can find the recordings they describe. Audio referenced by a CUE sheet is imported normally; expanding the sheet into virtual tracks requires PhaseShift Pro.

Which Folder Import Method Should You Use?

Use Settings → Music Folder when the folder is already on your Mac and you want to choose its exact location inside PhaseShift. Use Wi-Fi Transfer when the source folder is on another computer or device on your local network. Use Import Folder when you want PhaseShift to scan a local collection first, show a preflight summary, respect Library Organization, and import audio, CUE sheets, and playlists as one guided job.

Whichever route you choose, the music is copied into PhaseShift’s managed Music folder and remains available for private, offline playback. No PhaseShift account or hosted music locker is required. Once the operation finishes, browse your library by songs, albums, artists, playlists, or folders—or open Settings → Music Folder to confirm exactly where the files were placed.