How to download MP3 files to iphone without a computer.

It is easier to download mp3 files to a computer with iTunes, drag the files into itunes, and then sync them to your phone but this page demonstrates how to do it when you don't have access to a computer. We are limited by the functionality that apple provide within their files app, but with a little patience it does work.

First ensure you have iOS 12 (released on September 17, 2018) or later installed on your phone, the Files app installed (this comes installed with iOS, so unless you have consciously deleted it, it should be there, and if not you can always get it again from the app store), and enough space available in your iCloud Drive to store your downloaded files.

Using safari (Apple's default web browser)

  1. First find the download link of your audio file. In this example (I am using a relatively old iPhone SE, so it may not look exactly the same on your device) I am downloading the file "yoni_nidra.zip" that I purchased.

  2. The screen will show the progress of the file download... how long this takes will depend upon the speed of your connection to the internet. We suggest that you only do this when you are connected to WiFi as otherwise it might use up your monthly data allowance.

  3. Click "Open in...Files" ... please note when I do this on my phone it appears to do nothing, but just pressing once and waiting does work.

  4. Choose iCloud Drive, then Add

  5. Then go back to your home screen and visit the files app...

  6. Once in the files app you can select the zip file that you have downloaded, and go to preview content.

  7. Once the zip is open (can take a while) you should see the first file, in my case this is one of the audio files in this album. In this view I am able to share this file to my files app using the button bottom right, then choosing iCloud Drive, and Add. This saves the file separately to Files.

  8. Swiping right takes you to the next file, where if desired you can repeat the process to save this file to Files too.. The reason you do this is so that you dont have to go to the zip then to "preview files" every time you wish play a nidra.

  9. There is a list view where you can see all the files in the zip. If you select this and wait all the files will be extracted from the zip to allow you to browse from one to another without waiting for the extracting process (which can be a little tedious).

  10. The exported file(s) will now be in your Files app, and can be played offline as long as there is not an icon of a cloud next to it, in which case clicking the file downloads it from the cloud for offline playing. Once you have extracted the files from the zip you can if you wish to save space delete the original zip file if you so wish.

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