Convert iTunes (Music) Library to MP3: 2024 Step-by-Step Guide

Part 1. iTunes DRM vs AAC (M4A) vs MP3

As music continues to evolve, so do the formats we use for our favorite songs. If you're an Apple Music user, you might find the different formats a little confusing. Apple offers iTunes, Apple Music, and iTunes Match, each with its own features and compatibility.

If you're subscribed to Apple Music, you'll likely come across a few different audio formats, such as iTunes DRM-protected M4P files and AAC files. Understanding these formats is important if you want to organize your iTunes library or merge it with your local music collection. Let's break down these formats and explain why converting your iTunes music to MP3 might be a great idea.

If you use iTunes to store music from places like the iTunes Store or CDs, your songs are probably in formats like AAC, which don't have any DRM protection. These files can easily be converted to MP3 in iTunes. But if you're an Apple Music subscriber, most of your songs are DRM-protected. This means if you cancel your subscription, you'll lose access to those songs. To make sure your music is always available, you'll need to convert it to MP3. While Apple doesn't officially support this, using a conversion tool ensures your music stays with you, even without a subscription.

Part 2. Can I Export My iTunes Library to MP3?

If you're using iTunes or Apple Music, you probably enjoy having access to millions of songs. But here's the catch: your music is tied to your subscription. If you decide to cancel or switch services, your iTunes library might disappear, and getting it back can be tricky - unless you've saved your music in a more flexible format like MP3.

Now, converting to MP3 means losing some audio quality (since MP3 is a compressed format), but the upside is that MP3s work on nearly every device. Plus, MP3s give you the freedom to listen anytime, even without an active subscription. It's also a great way to avoid restrictions like DRM (digital rights management) on Apple Music, which can make converting songs difficult using standard methods.

So, how do you export your iTunes library to MP3? The process is actually pretty simple:

1. Check Your Music Format: First, check if your music files are in a format that iTunes can easily convert to MP3. If your music is in AAC format (which is DRM-free), iTunes can handle the conversion directly.
2. Pick a Conversion Tool: For DRM-protected songs from Apple Music, you'll need a specialized tool like ViWizard Apple Music Converter. This works with all types of audio content, including music, podcasts, and audiobooks, no matter the format. If your music isn't DRM-protected, you can use iTunes' built-in audio converter or VLC Media Player (a free option, though it requires more steps).
3. Transfer the MP3 Files: Once your music is converted to MP3, you can easily transfer it to an MP3 player or replace the DRM-protected files in iTunes with the MP3 versions. This allows you to sync your music to your iPhone and enjoy it without worrying about your Apple Music subscription.

Our Recommended iTunes-to-MP3 Conversion Methods

Here's a quick overview of the best tools for converting your iTunes library to MP3:

Part 3. How to Convert iTunes Library to MP3 [DRM-Protected]

If you've ever tried to convert songs from your iTunes library, especially those from an Apple Music subscription, you know that DRM (Digital Rights Management) can be a real headache. DRM restricts where and how you can use your music, but don't worry - there's an easy fix. ViWizard Apple Music Converter is here to help.

ViWizard lets you download your entire iTunes library - whether it's music from Apple Music, purchased tracks, podcasts, audiobooks, or local files - and convert them into MP3 files that work anywhere. The best part? It removes DRM protection, so you're free to enjoy your music on any device, without needing an active subscription or iTunes.

When thinking about what you want to convert, consider what's in your iTunes library. If it includes DRM-protected content, ViWizard is the tool you need. It's fast - up to 30 times faster than most converters - and keeps your music sounding great. You can even batch convert multiple files at once, saving time and hassle.

ViWizard doesn't just support MP3 - it also lets you convert your files to other popular formats like AAC and FLAC. This flexibility ensures that you get exactly what you need for your devices and listening preferences.

Key Features of ViWizard Audio Converter

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• Convert songs, albums, and playlists from Apple Music to MP3
• Remove DRM protection from Apple Music, iTunes, and Audible
• Save the converted audios with the original quality and ID3 tags
• Support the conversion of up to 100 audio formats to others

How to Convert iTunes Music to MP3 with ViWizard Apple Music Converter

1. Open the ViWizard app on your computer.
2. Click the "+" button to import songs from your iTunes Library, or add files directly from your iTunes Library folder.
3. Click the "Format" button at the bottom left, then choose MP3 (or another format such as AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, or M4B).
4. Click the "Output" button to select where to save the converted files on your computer. Press the "Convert" button to begin the conversion process. ViWizard will remove DRM and convert the files.
5. Once the conversion is finished, click "Converted" to view and access all your MP3 files.
6. You can now transfer these MP3 files to any device and enjoy them without restrictions, without needing iTunes or an Apple Music subscription.

Extra Tips: Adding MP3 Files to iTunes and Syncing to Your iPhone

1. Open iTunes (or Apple Music if you're using macOS Catalina or later).
2. Click on File > Add to Library or drag and drop the MP3 files directly into the iTunes window.
3. Your MP3 songs should now appear in your iTunes library.
4. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
5. In iTunes, select your device from the top left corner.
6. Go to the Music tab under your device settings.
7. Check the box for Sync Music, and choose whether to sync your entire library or specific playlists, albums, or genres.
8. Click Apply or Sync to start transferring the MP3 files to your iPhone.

Once syncing is complete, you can open the Music app on your iPhone and enjoy the MP3 files without any restrictions. They will be available for offline listening, just like any other music in your library.

Part 4. How to Convert iTunes Library to MP3 [DRM-Free]

If you've bought music from the iTunes Store in AAC format or have local music files that you want to convert to MP3, both iTunes and VLC make it easy. You can convert your music to MP3 without changing the original files.

1. Using iTunes

If you're using music from Apple Music (which is DRM-protected), this method won't work. For that, you'll need a tool like ViWizard Apple Music Converter. But for your DRM-free songs, here's how you can convert them:

1. Open iTunes, go to the iTunes Store tab, use the search bar to find and buy your favorite songs. After purchasing, they'll automatically show up in your library.
2. If you have music saved on your computer, go to File > Add File/Folder to Library to import those into iTunes.
3. With iTunes open, click Edit (Windows) or iTunes (Mac) in the menu, then choose Preferences.
4. In the Preferences window, select the General tab, then click Import Settings.



5. In the Import Settings dialog, next to "Import Using," choose MP3 Encoder from the dropdown. This sets iTunes to use MP3 for the conversion.



6. In your iTunes library, select the AAC songs or local files you want to convert.
7. Go to the File menu, select Convert, and then click Create MP3 Version.



8. The newly converted MP3 versions will appear right alongside your original files in the library.

Once your music is converted to MP3, you can easily transfer it to any device, play it offline, or use it in any media player without worrying about iTunes or Apple Music subscriptions.

2. Using VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player isn't just for playing media - it's also a powerful tool for converting audio files. If you have DRM-free tracks from iTunes or local files you've added to iTunes, VLC can easily convert them to MP3.

Keep in mind that VLC won't work with DRM-protected files (like those from Apple Music). If you're looking to convert DRM-protected tracks, you'll need a dedicated converter, such as ViWizard Apple Music Converter. VLC works well for batch conversions, so if you have a collection of tracks to convert, you can easily add them all at once. Here's how to do it:

1. First, ensure you have VLC Media Player installed on your computer. It's available for both Windows and Mac. You can download it for free from the official VLC website.
2. Launch the VLC application after installing it.
3. In VLC, go to the Media menu in the top-left corner and click Convert/Save (or use the shortcut Ctrl + R for Windows, Cmd + Shift + S for Mac).



4. In the Open Media window, click Add and navigate to your iTunes Library (or the location of your local music files). Select the songs you want to convert and click Open.



5. After adding your files, click Convert/Save. In the Profile section, choose Audio - MP3 from the dropdown menu. This will set the output format to MP3.



6. Under Destination, click Browse to choose where you want to save the converted files. Select a folder, name the file, and ensure the extension is .mp3.
7. Once everything is set, click Start. VLC will convert your iTunes music into MP3 format and save it in the chosen location.

Once the conversion process is finished, go to the output folder to find your newly converted MP3 files. You can now play them on any device or media player without restrictions.

Extra Tip: Extra Tip: How to Tell MP3 vs AAC (M4A) or Others in iTunes Library

In iTunes, distinguishing between AAC and MP3 versions of a song isn't always straightforward since they may appear as identical copies. However, every file in iTunes contains essential information about the song, including artist, length, and file type. To pinpoint which file is the MP3 and which is the AAC, you can access ID3 Tags, which include details like artist, genre, and other song information:

1. Open the iTunes application on your computer.
2. Locate the music file and its identical copy alongside with it in your iTunes music library.
3. Right-click on the music file.
4. Select "Song info" from the dropdown menu.
5. In the Song info dialog box, click the "File" tab.
6. You'll see information about the file type, such as "Apple Music AAC audio file" or "MPEG audio file." Additionally, in the "File" tab, you can check the specific duration, size, bit rate, sample rate, profile, channels, volume and more.

Summary

For the two methods to convert iTunes library to MP3, which one do you prefer? If your songs are not protected, you can use iTunes, Apple Music, or ViWizard Audio Converter to export songs from iTunes library to MP3. If your songs are protected, like iTunes songs bought before 2009 or Apple Music songs, you need to use ViWizard to convert iTunes library to MP3.