Step-by-Step Guide to Add Apple Music to rekordbox

By Adam Gorden Updated on July 7, 2025

apple music to rekordbox

My dream is to use my Apple Music download song to create my USB keys with rekordbox. A HUGE time saving... Any possible way to do this? So, a way to extract audio file from apple music download lib, and I think it's not so easy...

- Highdom from audiosex.pro

If you use Apple Music and DJ with Pioneer gear, you've probably run into the same problem: your music is ready, your set is planned—but rekordbox doesn't let you use your Apple Music tracks. It's a common issue that's frustrated a lot of DJs.

Most DJs choose rekordbox because it works well in almost any situation. It's a solid tool for organizing music, mixing, and exporting to USB. But for a long time, it didn't support Apple Music—one of the most requested features.

New Update: Now, that's finally changed. rekordbox has added official support for Apple Music. If you have a subscription and a well-built library, you can sign in, browse your tracks, and start mixing—no converting or extra tools needed. Everything is right there in rekordbox. You can stay in one app and get straight to work.

Still, not every setup allows for streaming. This guide will walk you through both ways to get Apple Music into rekordbox: one online, one offline—using the new streaming support and converting songs for offline use.

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ViWizard Apple Music Converter

Keep Apple Music songs forever by saving them in formats like MP3 to play anywhere.

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Part 1. Can I Integrate Apple Music with rekordbox?

rekordbox 7 main interface

Yes, and it's finally here. In March 2025, AlphaTheta (aka Pioneer DJ) added Apple Music support to rekordbox as part of Apple's new "DJ with Apple Music" feature. For anyone who's spent time building playlists in Apple Music, this is big news.

rekordbox 7 apple music library

With the update, rekordbox users can now stream directly from Apple Music's full catalog—over 100 million tracks—without converting files or jumping through hoops. It works with rekordbox version 7.1.0 for Mac and Windows, and 4.4.0 for iOS. You'll need an active Apple Music subscription and a stable internet connection, but that's about it.

Android support is also on the way, so more DJs will be able to join in soon. And if you're ever stuck for inspiration, Apple Music is launching a DJ Mix Curator Page featuring handpicked mixes and playlists to explore or remix at home.

rekordbox now makes streaming feel more natural, too. You can scroll through songs using album covers and artist photos, get suggestions through a feature called Streaming Radar, or share playlists with friends using Collaboration Playlist. It's not mind-blowing, but it definitely makes browsing easier when you're in a hurry.

Bottom line: Yes—Apple Music now works with rekordbox, officially. If your music life is already built on Apple Music, you can bring it with you.

Part 2. How to Connect Apple Music to rekordbox (Online)

Setting up Apple Music in rekordbox is simple once you have everything ready. Whether on desktop or mobile, you can log in, browse your library, and stream tracks directly within rekordbox.

Prerequisites

  • An active Apple Music subscription
  • A stable internet connection
  • rekordbox 7.1.0 or later for Mac/Windows
  • rekordbox 4.4.0 or later for iOS
  • A rekordbox (AlphaTheta) user account

On Desktop (Mac/Windows)

  1. Update or install rekordbox: Use version 7.1.0 or newer—older versions don't support Apple Music.
  2. Launch and sign in: Open rekordbox and log in with your rekordbox account.
  3. Access Apple Music: Click the Apple Music icon on the sidebar, then select Sign In Now or Start Free Trial.
  4. rekordbox 7 apple music sign in now or start free trial

  5. Authenticate Apple Music: Enter your Apple ID in the browser prompt and complete any verification. Click Open rekordbox to connect.
  6. rekordbox access request to apple music

  7. Browse and stream: Your Apple Music playlists and tracks load in rekordbox. Search and load songs directly to your decks.
  8. rekordbox 7 apple music album tracks

  9. Add to collection and analyze: Right-click tracks, choose Add to Collection, then right-click again and select Analyze Track to generate BPM, key, beat grids, and waveforms.
  10. rekordbox analysis setting

  11. Mix tracks: Use the waveforms, BPM, and key info to beatmatch and mix. Apply hot cues, loops, and effects as usual. A stable internet connection is required.
  12. rekordbox apple music library tracks analyzed

  13. Troubleshooting: If you see a "Can't connect to servers" error, delete the AppleMusicSettings.txt file from:
    • Windows: AppData\Roaming\rekordbox\Pioneer6\
    • Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Pioneer/rekordbox6/
    Then restart rekordbox and try again.
  14. Sync across devices: With a Creative, Professional, or Cloud Option subscription, use Cloud Library Sync to keep your Apple Music tracks and cues synced across devices.

On Mobile (iOS)

rekordbox mobile

  1. Update rekordbox app: Ensure you have version 4.4.0 or later.
  2. Open and sign in: Launch the app and log in with your rekordbox account.
  3. Connect to Apple Music: Rotate to landscape, tap the disc icon, select Apple Music, then tap Sign In Now (or Start Free Trial).
  4. Authenticate: Enter your Apple ID via the browser prompt, then return to rekordbox.
  5. Browse and load tracks: Your Apple Music library loads for streaming and mixing.
  6. Add to collection & analyze: Add tracks if needed; some metadata syncs automatically. Analyze tracks on desktop later if needed.
  7. Mix tracks: Use waveforms, BPM, and key for mixing. Hot cues, loops, and effects are supported.
  8. Streaming requirements: A stable internet connection and active Apple Music subscription are required.
  9. Troubleshooting: If login or streaming issues occur, update the app and retry. You can sync libraries and cues via Cloud Library Sync. Apple Music streaming is currently online-only. To DJ offline, you'll need to convert tracks to local files and import them manually. We'll cover this in the next part.
Rekordbox DJing Tips:

    • Use RGB Waveforms: Switch to RGB waveforms for easier visual cues. Go to Rekordbox settings, then the ‘View' tab, and choose 'RGB' under waveforms.
    • Create Hot Cue Bank Lists: Set up playlists of hot cues to quickly jump to specific parts of a track. You can add up to 8 hot cues per song.
    • Use Beat Jump: Jump through tracks in phrases (e.g., 16 bars) to set loops and hot cues easily. Use the left/right arrows for quick navigation.
    • Customize Keyboard Shortcuts: Set keyboard shortcuts for faster actions, like cue points (‘C') or loops (‘M'). Adjust these in the ‘Keyboard' tab in Rekordbox settings.
    • Enable Automatic Key Analysis: Turn on key analysis to help you mix songs that sound good together. Enable this in the ‘Analysis' tab of your settings.

Part 3. How to Convert Apple Music to rekordbox (Online)

Even with Apple Music now supported inside rekordbox, the reality is: streaming still depends on a stable internet connection. If you're DJing somewhere without internet—or just want full control over your files—ViWizard Apple Music Converter is still a lifesaver.

Why ViWizard Apple Music Converter for rekordbox?

While rekordbox now lets you stream directly, it doesn't change the fact that Apple Music tracks can't be played offline inside the app. That's why ViWizard is worth considering. It lets you convert Apple Music songs into open, rekordbox-friendly formats like MP3, WAV, or FLAC, so you can mix anytime—no connection needed.

ViWizard also removes Apple's DRM protection, making it perfect for use with other DJ software not covered under the "DJ with Apple Music" feature. Once converted, your files are stored locally and behave like any standard audio track. You can drag and drop them into rekordbox on Windows or Mac, organize them in folders, or even sync them to your iPhone for use in the rekordbox iOS app.

Tip:

    For larger libraries, consider re-importing your converted files into iTunes or the Apple Music app, then exporting everything to XML. This allows you to load your full collection via rekordbox's iTunes or Apple Music browser tab—no subscription required. You can also use Import Track or Import Folder for direct access.

audio converter

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

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  • Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
  • Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
  • Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
  • Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details
  1. Install ViWizard: Go to the ViWizard website and download the version for your computer (Windows or Mac). Install it like you would any other app.
  2. Open ViWizard and Sign In: Launch the app and sign in to your Apple Music account through the built-in web player. This gives ViWizard access to your Apple Music library.
  3. add apple music songs

  4. Choose Output Format: Before converting, go to the settings menu and choose MP3 or WAV as the output format. These work best with rekordbox. You can also leave the rest of the settings as they are.
  5. set output settings

  6. Add Songs for Conversion: Find the Apple Music tracks or playlists you want, and click the + button to add them to the list.
  7. Convert and Download: Click the Convert button. ViWizard will download your songs and remove the DRM, saving them as regular audio files on your computer.
  8. convert apple music to mp3

If you rely on Apple Music and want full flexibility, ViWizard gives you exactly that. It's simple, reliable, and still essential for offline sets.

Part 4. How to Import Apple Music to rekordbox (Offline)

Source Supported Formats
Rekordbox Import MP3, WAV, AAC (unprotected), FLAC, ALAC, AIFF
Apple Music Protected with DRM
iTunes Purchases AAC (unprotected)

For Desktop (Mac/Windows):

Option 1: Direct Import to rekordbox (Windows & Mac)

This is the quickest way to bring your converted Apple Music files into rekordbox.

  1. Open rekordbox on your computer.
  2. Go to File > Import > Import Track / Folder / Playlist.
  3. rekordbox import file

  4. Find your converted music in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
  5. Select the tracks or folders you want and click Open. rekordbox will scan and import all compatible files.
  6. Head to the Collection tab to see your imported tracks with artwork and metadata.
  7. rekordbox collection tracks

  8. Right-click on a track and select Analyze Track to generate waveforms, BPM, and beat grids.
  9. rekordbox track analyze track

Extra Tip: Drag-and-Drop Method
  1. Open your file manager (Explorer or Finder) and locate your converted songs.
  2. In rekordbox, create or select a playlist.
  3. rekordbox playlists create new playlist

  4. Drag and drop tracks directly into the Collection or a playlist to import them instantly.
  5. Analyze tracks afterward for smoother cueing and mixing.
  6. rekordbox track analyze track

Option 2: Import via iTunes (PC & macOS Mojave or earlier)

  1. Open iTunes and go to File > Add File/Folder to Library.
  2. Locate your converted Apple Music files and add them.
  3. Create a playlist in iTunes and add your imported songs.
  4. Go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced, and enable Share iTunes Library XML with other applications.
  5. itunes share itunes library xml with other applications

  6. In rekordbox, open Preferences > Advanced, then browse and select the shared iTunes XML file.
  7. Back in rekordbox, click on the iTunes option in the left sidebar.
  8. rekordbox file preferences advanced itunes itunes library file

  9. Find your playlist, right-click, and choose Import Playlist.
  10. Or, click All Tracks, select the songs you want, and choose Import to Collection.
  11. rekordbox itunes playlists import playlist

Option 3: Import via Music Framework (macOS Catalina or later)

For Mac users running the Music app (instead of iTunes), this option gives you more seamless access.

  1. Open the Music app and go to Music > Settings > Advanced.
  2. Enable Share Music Library XML with other applications.
  3. In rekordbox, go to Preferences > Advanced and under Library, check Use Music Framework.
  4. rekordbox file preferences

  5. The first time you do this, macOS will ask for permission—click Allow to grant access.
  6. Restart rekordbox if needed.
  7. Once enabled, rekordbox will display your Music app library inside the Collection.
  8. From here, you can organize tracks into playlists, run analysis, and prepare them for DJing.

For Mobile (iOS):

  1. Transfer via iTunes or Finder (depending on your macOS version):
    • On Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier, open iTunes.
    • On macOS Catalina and later, open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar.
  2. Drag the converted files (MP3, WAV, etc.) into your iPhone's Music or Files section, depending on your setup.
  3. Sync your device to apply the changes. Make sure the songs appear in your iPhone's local library or Files app.
  4. Open the rekordbox app on your Android or iOS device.
  5. Tap the arrow icon on the upper left corner of the screen.
  6. Select Import songs > All songs.
  7. Choose the desired Apple Music files from your device and add them to rekordbox.
  8. Head to Collection within rekordbox to find your added music tracks.
  9. To use the tracks, simply add them to Demo Track 1 or 2.

Part 5. How to Log Apple Music Into Pioneer DJ Equipment

rekordbox 7 apple music note

Apple Music also works on select Pioneer DJ hardware like the OMNIS-DUO and XDJ-AZ. These units stream Apple Music directly—no laptop needed. Just connect to Wi-Fi, load your tracks, and mix. Features like StreamingDirectPlay give you waveforms, BPM analysis, and beat grids right on the screen. It's smooth, and it works like you'd expect.

  1. Update firmware: Ensure your OMNIS-DUO or XDJ-AZ runs firmware version 1.21 or newer. Download updates from Pioneer DJ's support site if needed.
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi: Power on the unit, hold the MENU button to open [UTILITY], go to Wi-Fi settings, select your network, enter the password, and confirm connection.
  3. Select Apple Music: On the home screen or source selector, choose Apple Music. A QR code and/or 6-digit activation code will appear.
  4. Authenticate Apple Music: On your phone or computer, visit activate.apple.com, enter the code from your unit, and sign in with your Apple ID linked to your Apple Music subscription.
  5. Browse music: Access your Apple Music playlists, charts, genres, and curated content on the unit.
  6. Load tracks: Select and load tracks onto decks. The unit will automatically analyze BPM and create beat grids.
  7. Mix tracks: Use waveforms, Hot Cues, loops, and effects to perform. Beat alignment improves after a few seconds of playback.

Wrap Up:

Now you may have learned how to use Apple Music with rekordbox. To summarize, for those who want to use Apple Music on rekordbox or other DJ software, converting Apple Music with ViWizard Audio Converter is a one-for-all solution. After the conversion, you are free to play Apple Music on any player or device just like common audios. Just click the download button to have a free trial of ViWizard now.

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