# Keep Library / File List on Mac version?
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keep-library-file-list-on-mac-version/70933
**Category:** Mac
**Created:** [March 23, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keep-library-file-list-on-mac-version/70933 "2026-03-23T15:23:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@timnunn](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/timnunn)
#### Post date: [March 23, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keep-library-file-list-on-mac-version/70933/1 "2026-03-23T15:23:02Z")
My apologies if I have missed something obvious but, is it possible to retain the File List between closing and opening MP3Tag on Mac? I have found instructions to ‘Keep Library’ but I suspect they are for the Windows version and I can’t fiddle an equivalent in the Mac menus or Preferences.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 23, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keep-library-file-list-on-mac-version/70933/2 "2026-03-23T15:29:05Z")
> [@timnunn](#):
>
> I have found instructions to ‘Keep Library’
It would have been interesting to see which function that should be in the Windows version as the only library that may be activated is for internal purposes there. It does not define a workspace.
You can set a startup-folder to load the files that are in that folder (and possibly sub-folders):
> [@Preferences and Configuration](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/preferences-and-configuration/56296#p-169230-startup-folder-2):
>
> You can configure many areas of Mp3tag via the preferences window at Mp3tag → Preferences… or ⌘ , General Startup Folder Here you can specify the startup behavior of Mp3tag. None starts with an empty File List. Previous starts with the folder which was loaded the last time you’ve used Mp3tag. Other… lets you choose a explicit folder that is loaded on startup. Genres Use standard genres If enabled, Mp3tag lists the standard genres in the genre field on the Tag Pane…
If you want to return to a particular set of files, then save the whole set as a playlist and load that playlist in the next session.
(This is the same in Windows and Mac.)
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### Author:  [@timnunn](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/timnunn)
#### Post date: [March 23, 2026, 5:20pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keep-library-file-list-on-mac-version/70933/3 "2026-03-23T17:20:30Z")
This is specifically what I am looking for on the Mac version:
> ### Enable Library
>
> Normally, Mp3tag reads metadata from files when loading files, directories or playlists and stores the data in memory. Then, when you close Mp3tag, the data once read from the files is discarded and must be read again the next time you’re working with those files in Mp3tag.
>
> This can become both time consuming and memory intensive, especially when dealing with large amounts of files. If you enable the Library in Mp3tag, metadata is first read from the files and then stored in a database that resides in Mp3tag’s configuration folder.
>
> On subsequent reads of the file, the metadata is read directly from the database and updated if the file’s modification timestamp has been changed. In addition to that, cover art or other binary data is stored solely in the database, which can significantly reduce the amount of memory that is consumed by Mp3tag.
>
> [[Library – Mp3tag Documentation](https://docs.mp3tag.de/customization/options/library/) ]
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 23, 2026, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keep-library-file-list-on-mac-version/70933/4 "2026-03-23T17:26:24Z")
The library was and is mainly for internal householding functions esp. on systems with 32-bit architecture.
That does not apply to the Mac version as there is no 32-bit architecture.
> [@timnunn](#):
>
> is it possible to retain the File List between closing and opening MP3Tag on Mac
Such a function is not connected to the library.
If you want to keep a certain set of files, either organize them in a special folder or save a playlist of the currently treated files.
There is also (currently) no function in the Windows version that saves such a snapshot for you.
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### Author:  [@timnunn](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/timnunn)
#### Post date: [March 23, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keep-library-file-list-on-mac-version/70933/5 "2026-03-23T17:58:42Z")
Thanks for the clarification.
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### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2026, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keep-library-file-list-on-mac-version/70933/6 "2026-03-30T17:59:36Z")
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