Convert iTunes Music to MP3: 2024 Step-by-Step Guide

Part 1. iTunes DRM vs AAC vs MP3

As the music industry continues to evolve, so do the formats for enjoying our favorite songs. For Apple Music users, navigating digital music formats can be confusing. Apple offers iTunes, Apple Music, and iTunes Match, each with unique characteristics and compatibility.

Apple Music subscribers often encounter various audio formats, like iTunes DRM-protected M4P files and AAC files. Understanding these formats is key for those looking to organize their iTunes libraries or merge their digital music libraries with their local music collection within iTunes. This guide aims to clarify how Apple Music users encounter these formats and why there's a need to convert iTunes music to MP3.

How to Enjoy Apple Music on Your MP3 Player [2024 Guide]

Wondering how to play Apple Music on MP3 player? Simply check this article, and here we'll show you how to download Apple music to MP3 player.

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

Many users often want to convert their iTunes music to MP3 because it works on various devices, like MP3 players, and is easy to share. However, the biggest concern for users desiring to export their iTunes library to MP3 is the risk of losing access to their music due to a missed payment. Apple Music is different from Spotify because it's a subscription-service. You need to keep paying to access your saved music and playlists. For example, if you forget to renew, your iTunes library could disappear, and it can only be restored within a very short time.

iTunes offers a way to export your library, but it's in a format (.xml) that's readable but not playable for music. So, if you want to convert your iTunes library to MP3, there's a simple solution.

One solution is to use a smart tool like ViWizard Apple Music Converter. It's for both Windows and Mac users and makes it easy to convert your iTunes library to MP3. Importantly, with ViWizard, you can back up your iTunes library by saving your music on your computer or transferring to internal device storage like your iPhone or iPad for listening anywhere.

Part 3. How to Convert iTunes DRM-Protected Audio to MP3 [iTunes/Apple Music]

Ever faced the frustration of trying to convert songs from your iTunes library, especially those from an Apple Music subscription, only to be stopped by DRM protection? DRM (Digital Rights Management) puts limits on how you can use these songs outside of Apple's ecosystem. Thankfully, there's an easy fix: ViWizard Apple Music Converter.

This tool lets you download all your iTunes library audio content, no matter where it's from or whether it's protected by DRM, and turn it into MP3 files that work on any device. Best of all, it removes DRM protection from your all-time favorites, so you're free to listen to your tunes wherever you want, on any device or media player. You won't need iTunes or Apple Music, along with the continued commitment to subscription anymore.

ViWizard Apple Music Converter is simple to use. It handles all kinds of iTunes content: iTunes music, Apple Music, iTunes podcasts, audiobooks, Audible audiobooks, and even stuff you have saved locally. You can convert anything you want - there are no limits! And it doesn't just do MP3 - you can convert to other popular formats too, like WAV, AAC, or FLAC in batches. It's designed to keep your music sounding great, and it works super fast - up to 30 times faster than normal. Now, let's explore ViWizard and learn how to use it to download and convert your iTunes library to MP3, as well as keep it tidy with editable metadata and information.

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

Step 1 Launch ViWizard and Import iTunes Library Files

Launch this iTunes music to MP3 converter, and then click the music note "+" button to import songs from your iTunes Library. Or you can add the files from your iTunes Library folder.

Step 2 Set Output Format and Parameters

Once completed loading input files, you can click the "Format" button in the bottom left and choose the output format among MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, and M4B. You can also click the "Output" button and choose the output location.

Step 3 Convert iTunes Music to MP3

With format setting done, press the "Convert" button and ViWizard will start the conversion process. When it is done, you can find all your converted songs by clicking the "Converted" button.

Now you can enjoy all your downloaded songs from iTunes Library on any media player without iTunes and Apple Music. You can easily move these songs to any device and play them without any restrictions.

Part 4. How to Convert iTunes DRM-Free Audio to MP3 [iTunes Purchases/Local Files]

If you have purchased music from the iTunes Store in the AAC format or have local files that you want to convert to MP3, you can easily do so using iTunes. This process allows you to create MP3 copies of your music files without altering the original format. Follow these steps:

Step 1Purchases iTunes Songs from Store

Stary by purchasing and downloading the AAC-format songs from the iTunes Store.

1. Open the iTunes application on your computer.
2. Click on the "iTunes Store" option.
3. Use the search bar in the upper-right corner of the iTunes Store to find and select the songs you wish to purchase.
4. Click on a song to preview it by clicking the play button next to the song title. If you decide to purchase it, click the price next to the song.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your purchase. The song will be added to your iTunes library.

How to Buy and Download Music on iTunes

Step 2Upload Local Files to iTunes

Alternatively, you can begin byuploading your local music files to your iTunes library.

1. In the iTunes application, go to the "File" menu.
2. Select "Add File/Folder to Library" (Windows) or "Import" (Mac).
3. Locate and choose the music files or folders you want to add to your iTunes library.
4. Click "Open" to add them.

How to Add Local Files to Apple Music on Multiple Devices

Step 3Configure Import Settings

1. While the iTunes application is open, click on "Edit" (Windows) or "iTunes" (Mac).
2. Select "Preferences" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Preferences window, click the "General" tab.
4. Click on "Import Settings."



5. In the Import Settings dialog box, click the menu next to "Import Using" and select "MP3 Encoder."



6. Click "OK" to save your import settings.

Step 4Convert iTunes Audio to MP3

1. In your iTunes library, select the AAC songs or local files you want to convert.
2. Go to the "File" menu.
3. Select "Convert," and then choose "Create MP3 Version." The newly converted MP3 files will appear in your iTunes library alongside the original files.

While iTunes' MP3 encoder can convert purchased AAC songs or locally added files, it cannot be used to convert DRM-protected content from Apple Music, limiting its functionality for subscribers of the service. Users with DRM-protected content may need to explore alternative methods for conversion, such as an Apple Music to MP3 converter like ViWizard Apple Music Converter.

Extra Tip: How to Tell MP3 and AAC or Other Formats in iTunes

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.