Copying Tracks

The IMediaLibrary.CopyTrackAsync method allows you to copy a music file from the device library to your app’s storage.

Basic Usage

var destPath = Path.Combine(FileSystem.AppDataDirectory, "CopiedMusic", "track.m4a");
var success = await _library.CopyTrackAsync(track, destPath);

if (success)
    Console.WriteLine($"Copied to {destPath}");
else
    Console.WriteLine("Copy failed — track may be DRM-protected");

The method creates any missing parent directories automatically.

Checking if a Track Can Be Copied

Before attempting to copy, check whether the track has a valid ContentUri:

if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(track.ContentUri))
{
    // DRM-protected — cannot be copied (iOS only)
    Console.WriteLine("This track cannot be copied.");
    return;
}

var success = await _library.CopyTrackAsync(track, destinationPath);

Platform Behavior

Android

• Copies are performed by reading from the ContentResolver input stream and writing to the destination file.
• All locally stored music files can be copied.
• The copied file retains its original format (MP3, M4A, OGG, etc.).

iOS

• Copies are performed using AVAssetExportSession with the AppleM4A preset.
• The exported file is always in M4A format regardless of the original encoding.
• DRM restrictions apply:

Track Source	Can Copy?	Notes
iTunes purchases (DRM-free)	✅	Full access via AssetURL
Locally synced from computer	✅	Full access via AssetURL
Apple Music subscription	❌	AssetURL is null; track is DRM-protected
iTunes Match (cloud)	⚠️	Only if downloaded to device

Caution

Apple Music subscription tracks are DRM-protected and expose no AssetURL. The ContentUri in MusicMetadata will be empty for these tracks, and CopyTrackAsync will return false. This is an iOS platform limitation that cannot be worked around.

Error Handling

CopyTrackAsync returns false rather than throwing for expected failures (DRM, missing asset). Unexpected I/O errors are also caught and return false:

try
{
    var success = await _library.CopyTrackAsync(track, destPath);
    if (!success)
    {
        // DRM-protected or export failed
        await DisplayAlertAsync("Error", "Cannot copy this track.", "OK");
    }
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Unexpected error (e.g., permissions revoked mid-operation)
    await DisplayAlertAsync("Error", $"Error: {ex.Message}", "OK");
}