Music fans may think buying music from the iTunes Store is no longer necessary now that streaming services like Apple Music are everywhere. For most people, streaming is the easiest way to access millions of songs without buying them one by one.
But the iTunes Store still has its place. You can purchase songs, albums, movies, TV shows, and other digital content, then access them through your Apple Account. This is useful if you want to build a personal music collection, listen offline without a subscription, or keep your favorite songs available anytime.
Although Apple has shifted its focus to Apple Music and replaced the classic iTunes app on newer devices, the iTunes Store is still available. In this guide, we will explain how to purchase music from the iTunes Store and download it for offline use.
Part 1. What Are iTunes Purchases?
Purchased iTunes music is music you buy from the iTunes Store instead of streaming through Apple Music. Unlike Apple Music downloads, which need an active subscription, iTunes purchases stay linked to your Apple Account and remain available after purchase. Most iTunes purchases are DRM-free AAC files in the M4A format, usually at 256 kbps, so you can transfer them to compatible devices and apps.
So, do you actually own music purchased from iTunes? Yes, but in a digital sense. You can access it again from your purchased items without a subscription. You own the right to use the music, but it is still covered by licensing rules and cannot be used for commercial purposes without permission.
| Feature | Apple Music Streaming | iTunes Music Purchases |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | No. Access only while subscribed | Stays in your Apple Account after purchase |
| DRM | Protected by DRM | No DRM protection |
| File Format | AAC or ALAC | AAC in M4A format |
| Bit Rate | Up to lossless audio | Usually 256 kbps |
| Offline Listening | Yes, but only with an active subscription | Yes, after downloading |
| Playback | Works in Apple Music and supported apps | Works with compatible players and devices |
| Music Catalog | Full Apple Music library | Only songs and albums you buy |
| Cost | Monthly subscription | One-time purchase per song or album |
| Transfer | Limited to Apple Music | Can be moved to compatible devices and apps |
Part 2. How to Purchase Music from the iTunes Store
Purchasing music from the iTunes Store requires an Apple Account and a valid payment method or account balance. Users can open the iTunes Store, search for a song or album, check the price, and complete the purchase. The music is then linked to the Apple Account used and can be accessed on supported devices.
Before purchasing, make sure you use the correct Apple Account because purchases cannot be transferred between accounts. Music availability and pricing may vary by region due to licensing rules.
On Windows (iTunes for Windows)
01Launch iTunes.
02Sign in with your Apple Account if prompted.
03In the navigation bar, click Store to open the iTunes Store.
04Use the search field or browse categories to find the song or album you want.
05Click the price next to the item.
06Click Buy and authenticate with your Apple Account.
07Click the Download button to add the purchased music to your library.
On Mac (Music app)
01Launch the Music app.
02Sign in with your Apple Account if prompted.
03In the sidebar, click iTunes Store.
04Use Search or browse categories to find the music you want.
05Click the price next to the song or album.
06Enter your Apple Account details when prompted.
07Click Buy to complete the purchase.
On iPhone or iPad (iTunes Store app)
01Open the iTunes Store app.
02Tap Music at the bottom of the screen.
03Use Search or browse Featured, Charts, and Genres to find music.
04Tap a song or album to view its details.
05Tap the price button.
06Authenticate with your Apple Account to complete the purchase.
07Tap the Download button to save the purchased music.
Part 3. How to View Purchased Music from iTunes
After purchase, users can view their songs and albums through the same Apple Account. On iPhone and iPad, purchased music can be found in the iTunes Store app. On Mac, use the Music app, and on Windows, use iTunes for Windows through Account > Purchased.
If you cannot find a purchase, check your full iTunes Store purchase history to view specific items and transaction details.
On Mac (Music app)
01Open the Music app.
02In the menu bar, click Account > Purchased.
03Select Music to view your purchased songs and albums.
04Find the items you have purchased from the iTunes Store.
On Windows (iTunes for Windows)
01Open iTunes.
02Sign in with the Apple Account used for your purchase.
03In the menu bar, click Account > Purchased.
04Select Music to view your purchased songs and albums.
On iPhone or iPad
01Open the iTunes Store app.
02Tap More at the bottom of the screen.
03Tap Purchased.
04Select Music to view your purchased items.
Part 4. How to Download Purchased Music from iTunes
After finding purchased music, users can download songs or albums for offline listening. Unlike Apple Music downloads, which require an active subscription, purchased songs can be downloaded to compatible devices and remain available through the account used for purchase.
On Mac (Music app)
01Open the Music app.
02In the menu bar, click Account > Purchased.
03Select Music and find the songs or albums you want to download.
04Click the Download button next to an item to save it offline.
On Windows (iTunes for Windows)
01Open iTunes.
02In the menu bar, click Account > Purchased.
03Select Music and find the songs or albums you want to download.
04Click the Download button next to an item.
On iPhone or iPad
01Open the iTunes Store app.
02Tap More > Purchased.
03Select Music.
04Tap the Download button next to a song or album.
Part 5. Where to Find Downloaded iTunes Music Files
Downloaded iTunes music can be stored for offline use, but the location depends on the device. The exact folder may change if the Media folder location setting has been changed.
Most iTunes purchases are DRM-free AAC files. However, Apple does not provide direct file access on every device. Mobile devices keep downloads inside the Music app, while computers store files in local music folders.
Mac iTunes Media folder location:
Windows iTunes Media folder location:
Part 6. How to Fix iTunes Purchases Not Downloading
If purchased music does not download, check that you are signed in with the Apple Account used for the purchase. A different account is a common reason purchases do not appear. Also check your internet connection, storage space, software updates, and whether the content is still available from Apple. Some items may be unavailable due to licensing or regional restrictions.
If the issue continues, try downloading the purchase on another supported device to see if the problem is limited to one device.
6.1 If iTunes Purchase Shows "Purchased" but Cannot Be Downloaded
01Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
02Tap your name at the top of the screen.
03Tap Media & Purchases.
04Tap Sign Out, then sign back in with the Apple Account used for the purchase.
05Open the iTunes Store app.
06Tap More > Purchased > Music.
07Find the song or album and tap the Download button.
6.2 If the Purchase Still Cannot Be Downloaded
01Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
02Tap your name > Media & Purchases > View Account.
03Enter your password when prompted.
04Tap Hidden Purchases.
05Find the missing music and unhide the item.
06Return to Purchased and download the music again.
Part 7. How to Convert iTunes Purchased Music to MP3 or FLAC
iTunes includes a built-in audio converter that allows users to convert purchased music into different formats. Through the Import Settings option, users can convert songs to formats such as MP3, AAC (M4A), Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, and AIFF. The converted files will be saved as new copies while the original files remain unchanged.
On Windows (iTunes for Windows)
01Launch iTunes.
02In the menu bar, click Edit > Preferences.
03Click the General tab, then click Import Settings.
04Open the Import Using menu and select MP3 Encoder, AAC Encoder, Apple Lossless Encoder, WAV Encoder, or AIFF Encoder.
05Click OK to save the settings.
06Select the purchased songs you want to convert.
07In the menu bar, click File > Convert > Create [Format] Version.
08Find the converted files in your iTunes Media folder.
On Mac (Music app)
01Launch the Music app.
02In the menu bar, click Music > Settings.
03Click the Files tab, then click Import Settings.
04Open the Import Using menu and select MP3 Encoder, AAC Encoder, Apple Lossless Encoder, WAV Encoder, or AIFF Encoder.
05Click OK to save the settings.
06Select the purchased songs you want to convert.
07In the menu bar, click File > Convert > Create [Format] Version.
08Find the converted files in your Music media folder.
Part 8. How to Convert Protected Apple Music to MP3 or FLAC
iTunes purchased music can be converted with supported audio tools. However, Apple Music streaming songs are protected by digital rights management (DRM), so they cannot be converted like regular audio files.
ViWizard Apple Music Converter lets you convert Apple Music songs, playlists, albums and even entire library to formats like MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, M4B, and AIFF. You can select your music, choose an output format, and convert it with a few clicks. It also keeps important details like song titles, artists, album covers, and lyrics. With organized output folders, you can easily manage your music and play it on more devices.
Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter
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- Convert Apple Music songs, playlists, albums, and artists
- Export Apple Music in 6 formats for different devices and players
- Preserve metadata and lyrics when creating music collections
- Organize converted music by artist and album
- Batch download large Apple Music collections
Step 1: Install ViWizard and Log In to Apple Music
Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer. Open the app and sign in to the built-in Apple Music Web Player using your Apple ID. ViWizard will then load your music library for conversion.
Step 2: Choose MP3 as the Output Format
Open the Settings menu and select MP3 as your output format. You can adjust audio settings such as bit rate and sample rate to balance quality and file size. Enable lyric saving if you want to keep synced lyrics with your converted songs.
Step 3: Select and Add Songs for Conversion
Browse your Apple Music library in ViWizard and select the songs, albums, or playlists you want to convert. Click the "+" button to add them to the conversion queue, then click Convert to create DRM-free MP3 files.
Step 4: Access and Manage Your Converted MP3 Files
After conversion, open the History section and use the Open Folder option to locate your MP3 files. You can transfer and play them on any device while keeping metadata like album art, track titles, and lyrics organized.
Part 9. Final Thoughts
iTunes purchases are still a useful way to build a personal music collection. Unlike Apple Music downloads, purchased songs do not require an active subscription and can be accessed through your Apple Account.
If you want to combine Apple Music and iTunes purchases in one collection, ViWizard Apple Music Converter can help convert your music to formats like MP3, FLAC, AAC, and WAV while keeping important details like song information and lyrics.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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