Playlist Workflow: iPhone (Apple Music Streaming) > Macbook Apple Music (Local) > Djaypro

Questions
1

Dear DJ community and like-minded people,

I’m posting here because I’m stuck with my workflow and can’t find a solution. I’m hoping to find people here who face similar challenges and have good know-how…

As a long-time DJ (almost 25 years), I have a very large local database that I organize with Apple Music (local). I want to own my music and I absolutely need the files I play in my sets to be physically stored on my MacBook.

Here is my workflow:

  • I listen to Apple Music (stream service) in everyday life for inspiration and searching.

  • If I find something, I buy the track on iTunes Store. Silly and Oldschool, i know .-)

  • I create a new playlists on my iPhone for ex. called “2026_party” and add the tracks to them.

  • Before a gig, I download the purchased tracks to my MacBook (with Apple Music Local).

  • I then create additional, more detailed playlists on my MacBook (with Apple Music Local).

  • I use djay Pro as my DJ software.

Question:
How can I convert or import the playlists I created on my iPhone (Apple Music, streaming service) into local playlists (with links to my local tracks)?

I can see the playlists in djay Pro under Apple Music (streaming service), but I want to play local files, which means I would have to search for each file again individually and drag it in. Exporting the playlist from Djay Pro results in a .cls file with links to the Apple Music streaming service.

Is there another, better workflow from iPhone to MacBook?

PS: Can’t even see the new playlist «2026_party» in Apple Music on My Macbook > cause my «Sync Library» is turned off, because I don’t want Apple touching or updating my songs (rips, downloads, my own productions, etc.). I already tried it once and it was a very intrusive, low-quality option.

  • iPhone 11
  • Macos 15.6
  • djay pro 5.4
  • Pioneer FLX4
  • Macbook M2
  • Apple Music 1.5.6.11

Thanks so much for your Help!

And thanks to algoriddim for pushing the boundries of DJing and for the Great Software!

Peace to all DJ’s and Greetings from Switzerland +
Julien

1 Like
3

I am also interested in a better solution here as I am in exactly the same position.

I want to sync my Apple Music local library without ruining my files and metadata (which is what happens currently if I turn Library Sync on).

4

I’m in a similar boat too. I have had so many problems with Library Sync ruining my meta data and artwork.

I’ve not really found a sweet spot for this. As like you, I like to create playlists on the go, and then pick them up on MacBook later. And without Library Sync on, it’s a non starter.

There is a user suggestion around Djay Pro providing something native ( Full Library Management, Storage, and Sync via Cloud without Apple Music ) but no confirmation if that would ever happen.

In answer to Apple Music playlist automatically working out that you have local files to cover those streaming tracks, I don’t think that would ever be something you could do? Unless I’m misunderstanding.

6

Hi Andy Barnes,

Thanks for your answer! Have you tried Lexicon DJ or any other library organization software like Mixo?

Lexicon DJ looks interesting—it has a track matcher and even a CLS file reader. I’m planning to give it a try, but to me it still feels like a workaround just to sync the library, and it’s quite expensive.

Maybe it’s finally time for me to move away from the Apple ecosystem altogether… The playlist view, with that big (and kind of useless) cover area at the top of each list, is really starting to get on my nerves :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Also, I used to be able to drag and drop files directly from Apple into the deck, which was super convenient—but that doesn’t seem to work anymore.

Curious to hear your thoughts!

1 Like
7

Hi Belford_Roxo,

Thanks for your reply! I’m honestly a bit lost right now and want to fix my workflow as soon as possible.

What I’m looking for is a smooth setup that works across iPhone and Mac, and also DJing—being able to create playlists, add comments to tracks, and set multiple tags on the fly. Ideally, everything should work seamlessly together and stay in sync.

Right now it feels fragmented, and I’m not sure which direction to go. My goal is to have everything working hand in hand without constant workarounds :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Any advice or setup you’d recommend?

1 Like
8

I think one option is to hold out. Everyone seems to be “having a go” at Cloud music libraries - so feels like a matter of time for Djay Pro, especially as they push the multi platform (iOS etc) so hard.

I’ve not tried Lexicon, I’ve had a play with the free version, and I’ve read multiple reviews that the iOS app is rubbish and not maintained. (Might suggest it’s not used much and they don’t invest much time in it).

Mixo I gave up on as it Syncs through Serato which just seemed odd! And also iTunes I think. So then you’re back to square one.