How to create a music USB Drive with M3U playlists for the car using a Mac
When I first bought my current car, the stereo system could play audio files from a USB drive. The car system can use M3U playlists, which is just a text file that a media player can use to queue up files to play. But how do I use a Mac to create M3U playlists of the music that the car's audio system would recognize?
Initially, I found doubleTwist Sync for Mac, which is free. DoubleTwist can read the music files and playlists from iTunes. You can also create other playlists in doubleTwist. However, doubleTwist has not been updated in a long while and has not been the most stable for me.
I now use Playlist Export from the Mac App Store. Playlist Export allows you to choose which iTunes playlists you want, creates an M3U playlist file for each, and copies the associated audio files to a destination of your choosing, including a USB drive.
Playlist Export allows for setting up different Export Templates with different iTunes playlists. Once you have the settings that work for you with your first template, you can Copy it, and create new templates with other playlists.
Initially, I found doubleTwist Sync for Mac, which is free. DoubleTwist can read the music files and playlists from iTunes. You can also create other playlists in doubleTwist. However, doubleTwist has not been updated in a long while and has not been the most stable for me.
I now use Playlist Export from the Mac App Store. Playlist Export allows you to choose which iTunes playlists you want, creates an M3U playlist file for each, and copies the associated audio files to a destination of your choosing, including a USB drive.
Playlist Export allows for setting up different Export Templates with different iTunes playlists. Once you have the settings that work for you with your first template, you can Copy it, and create new templates with other playlists.
Export Template Main Window
Export Details Window
Playlist Export Format Options
Copy Music File Settings
Music File Path Settings
Music Files to Include Settings
Tip: A Mac can write to a exFAT and FAT32 Windows formatted USB drive, but not to NTFS natively as of Mac OS High Sierra 10.13. Check your owners manual to determine the drive format needed for your car's audio system.
Tip: A further description of M3U can be found on Lifewire - What is a M3U File?
Tip: I also use M3U playlists on a USB drive with my HooToo travel router. By using the HooToo, I can listen to my own music offline without filling up my device storage. VLC for the iPhone and iPad recognizes M3U files and can play audio files in the playlist order.
Tip: A further description of M3U can be found on Lifewire - What is a M3U File?
Tip: I also use M3U playlists on a USB drive with my HooToo travel router. By using the HooToo, I can listen to my own music offline without filling up my device storage. VLC for the iPhone and iPad recognizes M3U files and can play audio files in the playlist order.
Playlist Export on the Mac App Store
doubleTwist Sync for Mac on the developer's website.
VLC on the App Store
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Added 2018-06-27 <> ID 18042301
Added 2018-06-27 <> ID 18042301
