How to Import Audio or an MP3 into GarageBand

To import audio into GarageBand on iPhone, set the song section to Automatic, open Tracks view, tap the Loop Browser → Files and choose Browse items from the Files app. Locate the file and drag it into the timeline. On a Mac, drag a compatible local audio file from Finder into the Tracks area. Play the import from beginning to end to check its duration and position.

Use a file you have permission to edit. A streaming link is not the same as a local audio file, and an imported song's voice and instruments remain mixed together unless you have separate original tracks.

Choose the source and device

Source	Starting path	Key check
MP3 or WAV in iPhone Files	Tracks view → Loop Browser → Files.	Set the song section to Automatic before importing the full file.
Song in iPhone Music	Tracks view → Loop Browser → Music.	Apple says only unprotected songs stored locally can be imported.
Local file on Mac	Drag it from Finder into the GarageBand Tracks area.	Check placement, project settings and the complete audio.
A sound inside a mixed song	Start with an original separate track where available, or test source separation first.	Importing a stereo mix does not create separate vocal or instrument tracks.

Import an MP3 or WAV on iPhone

1. Save the audio to Files. Make sure the actual file is accessible on the iPhone or in iCloud Drive. Apple's import guide lists MP3, WAV, AAC, AIFF and Apple Loops among supported audio types.
2. Set the song section length. Before importing the entire file, set the section length to Automatic. Apple says a fixed section may import only the part that fits; you can later lengthen the section and resize the region.
3. Open the file browser. In the song, open Tracks view, tap the Loop Browser, choose Files, then tap Browse items from the Files app. Locate and tap the audio file.
4. Drag it into Tracks view. Find the imported item in the Files list, then drag it left or right into the track area. Align its left edge with the bar or beat where playback should start.
5. Play the full region. Listen to the start and end, check that the intended section is present, and compare its level with the other tracks.

Apple says iPhone GarageBand converts imported audio to 44.1 kHz and 16-bit if its original format differs. Keep the original file if you need its original encoding or bit depth. With the exception of Apple Loops, imported audio does not automatically follow GarageBand tempo changes.

Import a song from the Music app

1. Check the song is available locally. Apple says only unprotected songs stored on the iPhone can be imported from Music. A track being playable through a streaming subscription does not guarantee it can be imported.
2. Open the Music list. Set the song section to Automatic for the full song, open Tracks view, tap the Loop Browser and choose Music.
3. Preview and drag. Browse or search, tap a song to preview, then drag it into Tracks view and align its left edge with the desired start.

Apple's Music import instructions describe using an existing Audio Recorder or Amp track or creating a new Audio Recorder track. Check the rights for the recording and your intended use, especially before sharing an edit.

Import audio into GarageBand on Mac

1. Open a project. Create or open a GarageBand project and keep the source file in a known Finder location.
2. Drag the file into Tracks. Apple demonstrates dragging an M4A from Finder to the Tracks area in its GarageBand conversion walkthrough. Use a compatible local audio file and position it at the desired timeline start.
3. Check the region and playback. Listen at the beginning, a middle passage and the end. Confirm the selected track is not muted and that the audio aligns with other parts.
4. Save the project separately from exporting audio. A project keeps your editable arrangement; use Share → Export Song to Disk when you need a playable audio file, and review the export range and format.

Why is the imported audio missing or cut short?

• Only the first part appears on iPhone: Check the song section length. Apple recommends Automatic for an entire import; otherwise extend the section and resize the region to reveal more.
• The song is unavailable in Music: Confirm it is an unprotected local file. Use an authorized local recording if the source cannot be imported.
• The file does not appear in Files: Check its actual location, whether it has downloaded from cloud storage and its format. Renaming the extension does not convert the audio.
• The imported song does not match the project tempo: Apple says imported iPhone audio, except Apple Loops, does not automatically follow tempo changes. Listen against a click or the other tracks and adjust with a suitable workflow; see slowing audio in GarageBand.
• The region is present but silent: Check track mute, volume, output device and whether the original file plays outside GarageBand.

Prepare an excerpt before importing

For a single short selection, the Saturalabs audio trimmer accepts supported mono or stereo MP3 and WAV up to five minutes and 50 MiB. Select the desired passage, choose WAV or MP3, prepare and download it, then import the saved file. The tool runs locally and does not modify your GarageBand project.

MP3 output is a new lossy encode and may add slight delay or padding; WAV can be useful for further editing. Keep the source and check timing if the excerpt needs to line up with video or another recording. To cut within a project, use the GarageBand trim and split guide.

Common questions

Can I import an MP3 into GarageBand?

Apple lists MP3 as a supported iPhone import format. On iPhone, locate the local file through the Loop Browser's Files tab; on Mac, use a compatible local audio file in the Tracks area.

Does importing a song separate its vocals and instruments?

No. An imported mixed recording stays a mixed region. Use original separate tracks when available; estimates created by source separation can retain bleed or lose detail.

Will a project tempo change automatically slow an imported song?

Apple says imported iPhone audio generally does not follow project tempo changes, except for Apple Loops. Verify the actual result rather than assuming the region has stretched.