How to play 'local' mp3 files on an iphone?

[sd_shooter]

Ok this is driving me nuts!

Android:
- Copy a bunch of mp3 files onto my phone
- ANY android player simply 'finds' all the files and adds them to my library
- I can then play by album, artist, whatever

iPhone:
- Copied as above
- Cannot seem to 'tell' any media player that I have some local MP3 files
- ALL of them insist on using iTunes to 'sync' files to the phone
- Or they want me to sign up for something, or stream

WTH!

Anyone know how to play files that are already on the phone?

[sbo80]

I'm pretty sure that's a feature not a bug. Enter the Borg, you will be assimilated. I gave up on apple products after I got an ipod over a decade ago.

[thetruecheese]

welcome to app hell

sync it with itunes...

[BigFatGuy]

Itunes.

apple products work as long as you do everything EXACTLY as the engineers want you to do it.

[sd_shooter]

I caved in and used itunes -worked perfectly!

But it's still retarded. If I have 5 music apps, I'd need to 'sync' separately with each one.

[Darto]

(I just bought a reconditioned iPod classic and am checking these alternatives to iTunes out).
These programs go on your PC computer and you run a USB to 30 pin wire into the iPod.
Or the other Apple connector for iPhones/iPods with different connector than 30 pin.

https://drfone.wondershare.com/itunes-transfer/free-alternatives-to-itunes.html

[the86d]

https://youtu.be/sfrYOWlKJ_g