I know most Apple Music users can tell when a song sounds good, but it is not always obvious what you can actually do with the file itself. Everything works fine inside the app, but once you try to use tracks for music production, DJ mixing, CD burning, or Logic Pro projects, the limits start to show. Apple Music is mainly built for streaming, so it uses AAC format, and some tracks also come in ALAC lossless. Both are fine for listening, but neither is WAV, which is often preferred for editing and production work.
So naturally, the question comes up, can Apple Music be converted to WAV? Yes, but not directly in Apple Music. That is why many users turn to tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter, which can convert Apple Music to WAV with minimal data loss.
In this guide, we will look at how these formats work, how ViWizard Apple Music Converter handles Apple Music to WAV conversion, and a few best ways to use the converted files on Apple devices or in related apps afterward. Let's get started.
Need Apple Music in more flexible audio formats? ViWizard Apple Music Converter helps Apple Music subscribers create a personal music library with seamless music backup. Build your collection and keep your music beyond the Apple Music app.
Part 1. Can You Convert Apple Music to WAV?
No, Apple Music tracks cannot be directly converted to WAV because they are protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management). Even though normal audio files in iTunes can be converted to WAV through Edit > Preferences > General > Import Settings > Import Using and selecting WAV, this does not apply to Apple Music downloads. Songs from Apple Music are stored as DRM-protected M4P files, not standard formats like WAV, so they cannot be converted by drag and drop, file converters, or even by changing the file extension from ".m4p" or ".m4a" to ".wav". Standard tools cannot handle protected M4P files.
01Open iTunes on your computer. If you do not have it installed, download it from Apple's official website.
02Add your unprotected songs to iTunes using File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library.
03Go to Preferences (Mac: iTunes > Preferences, Windows: Edit > Preferences), then open Import Settings under the General tab.
04Select WAV Encoder from the Import Using dropdown and click OK to save the settings.
05Select the songs you want to convert in your library.
06Right-click the selected songs and choose Create WAV Version to start the conversion.
07Find the converted WAV files by right-clicking a track and selecting Show in Finder or Show in Windows Explorer.
However, conversion is still possible in practice. A tool called ViWizard Apple Music Converter is used to handle DRM-protected tracks and convert them into WAV in a few simple steps. The next section explains how this process works step by step.
Part 2. How to Convert Apple Music to WAV
Converting Apple Music to WAV requires ViWizard Apple Music Converter, a desktop application that converts and downloads Apple Music from the original audio source. The audio is accessed through Apple Music's Web Player, where users sign in to connect their music library for authorized access. After that, songs, playlists, or albums can be selected and converted into WAV by choosing WAV as the output format. It also keeps metadata such as title, artist, and album artwork, which is automatically preserved during conversion. For more control, users can adjust settings like bit rate, sample rate, and audio channels.
ViWizard Apple Music Converter is not limited to WAV. It also supports formats like MP3, M4A, M4B, AIFF, and FLAC, with FLAC being another lossless option.
Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- 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: Download and Install ViWizard Apple Music Converter
Start by visiting the ViWizard website and downloading the Apple Music Converter for Windows or Mac. Once installed, open the app and sign in with your Apple Music account to access your full library, including playlists, albums, and tracks.
Step 2: Choose WAV as Your Output Format
Click the settings icon in the top-right corner to open preferences. Select WAV as the output format and adjust sample rate, bit rate, and audio channels if needed. Once done, click OK to save your settings.
Step 3: Add Songs to the Conversion Queue
Browse your Apple Music library and select songs, albums, or playlists you want to convert. Click the "+" button to add them to the conversion list. Then click Convert to start processing. ViWizard will convert your music into WAV format in a few minutes.
Step 4: Access Your Converted WAV Files
Once conversion is complete, click the History tab to view your files. Open the output folder using the folder icon to locate your WAV files. You can now transfer them to any device or media player for offline use.
Part 3. How to Record Apple Music to WAV
If direct conversion is not possible, recording Apple Music is another way to save audio as WAV, and Audacity is one of the most common tools for this. The idea is to capture system audio while an Apple Music song plays through the Apple Music app, iTunes, or the Apple Music Web Player, then export it as a WAV file for later editing or storage. This does not change the original Apple Music file, but creates a new WAV version for other tools or workflows.
Option 1: Record and Export Apple Music to WAV using Audacity
Audacity is a free tool used to record system audio and export it as WAV. To start, install Audacity, then set the input source to system sound or loopback depending on your device. Open Apple Music, start streaming, and press Record in Audacity to capture the audio in real time. When finished, stop recording and trim the track if needed, then go to File > Export > Export as WAV to save the file in WAV format.
01Download and install Audacity.
02Install VB-Audio Cable (Windows) or Soundflower (Mac).
03Set system Sound Output to VB-Audio Cable or Soundflower.
04Open Audacity and set Recording Device to the same virtual audio device.
05Open Apple Music.
06Click Record in Audacity and play the music.
07Click Stop when finished.
08Go to File > Export > Export as WAV.
Option 2: Record and Export Apple Music to WAV using ViWizard Audio Capture
ViWizard Audio Capture is a desktop tool that records system audio and saves it in formats like WAV. After installing the program, choose the audio source so it captures system audio, then open Apple Music, iTunes, or Apple Music Web Player and start playback. The tool records the sound automatically once it detects audio input, and it can split tracks if there are pauses or silence between songs. You can also trim or adjust recordings inside the tool before exporting them as WAV.
Key Features of ViWizard Audio Capture
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- Record streaming audio and system audio from different sources
- Capture music, podcasts, and online audio content
- Export recorded audio in 17 formats for different devices and platforms
- Record audio automatically without saving tracks individually
- Organize captured audio files with customizable output options
01Download and install ViWizard Audio Capture.
02Open the program and go to Format settings.
03Select WAV as output format.
04Choose Apple Music, iTunes, or Apple Music Web Player as the source.
05Click Start to begin recording.
06Play the music you want to capture.
07Click Stop when finished.
08Open History to find and save the WAV file.
Part 4. How to Convert iTunes M4P to WAV
M4P files from the Apple Music catalog are harder to convert than streaming or recorded audio because they have DRM protection built in. This makes them difficult to open or use outside Apple's system. Because of this, many converters fail to turn M4P into WAV, even if they say they support it, since most basic tools cannot handle the protection. In many cases, ViWizard Apple Music Converter is used because it is built to work with Apple Music tracks and convert them into WAV more directly.
Part 5. How to Use Converted WAV Files in Apple Music and Related Apps
After conversion or recording, WAV files can be imported into production tools for editing and mixing. Logic Pro is a common example where WAV files are used in music workflows, where they can be organized, edited, or exported based on project needs.
Option 1: Import WAV into Apple Music or iTunes
iTunes supports MP3, AAC (M4A), Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, and AIFF, so WAV files can be added directly into the library. Open Apple Music or iTunes, then go to File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library and choose your WAV files. After import, the tracks show up in the Music section like normal songs, where you can play and organize them. Right-click a track and open Song Info to edit details like title, artist, and album. If sync is on, the files can also move to other Apple devices.
Option 2: Edit WAV in Logic Pro
Logic Pro supports WAV files for editing and music work. Open a new project with File > New Project, then drag the WAV file into the timeline to create an audio track. You can then cut, trim, and arrange the audio in the workspace. Open Window > Show Mixer to adjust volume, add effects, and control layers before exporting the final file.
Option 3: Burn WAV to CD in iTunes
iTunes supports WAV for CD burning. Create a playlist with File > New > Playlist, then drag WAV files into it. Right-click the playlist and choose Burn Playlist to Disc. In the settings, select Audio CD, then insert a blank disc and click Burn. iTunes will write the files to the disc so it can play on CD players and car systems.
Part 6. How to Transfer WAV Files to Apple Devices
Once WAV files are ready, they can be transferred to Apple devices using syncing tools or cloud methods. Keeping file names and structure clean before transfer helps make them easier to manage and ensures smoother use after import into music apps or storage libraries.
Option 1: Transfer via USB Cable
01Connect your device (Android phone, MP3 player, or USB stick) to your computer using a USB cable.
02On your device, make sure to select "File Transfer" or "Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)" mode if prompted.
03Open the file explorer on your computer and find your device listed under "This PC" or "Devices."
04Navigate to the folder where you want to store your WAV files. For Android, it's usually the "Music" folder. For USB drives, you can simply use the main directory or create a new folder.
05Drag and drop your WAV files into the folder. Wait for the transfer to complete.
06Safely eject the device before disconnecting the cable.
Option 2: Upload to Google Drive (or Another Cloud Service)
01Open your browser and go to Google Drive, then log in with your Google account.
02Click the New button, then choose File Upload.
03Select the WAV files from your computer and upload them.
04Once uploaded, open Google Drive on the other device (like your Android phone or tablet) using the Google Drive app.
05Tap the file to stream it, or download it locally to your device. This method is especially handy if you're switching devices or need access on the go—no cables required.
Option 3: Transfer to a Media or Audio Player
01Connect the media player to your computer using the appropriate USB cable.
02Wait for the device to appear in File Explorer or Finder.
03Open the folder for music or audio files, then drag your WAV tracks into it.
04Eject the device safely when done.
Pro Tips. WAV vs ALAC vs AAC in Apple Music (Format Comparison)
WAV, ALAC, and AAC serve different needs in audio use.
| Format | Sound Quality | File Size | Apple Support |
| WAV | Lossless, full detail | Very large | Apple Music, iTunes, Logic Pro |
| ALAC | Lossless | Medium | Apple Music, iTunes, Apple devices |
| AAC | Good quality | Small | Apple Music streaming |
WAV is an uncompressed audio format. It keeps all original sound details with no loss. It is mainly used in Apple audio tools like iTunes and Logic Pro for editing and production. The sound is very clean, but file sizes are large.
ALAC (Apple Lossless) keeps the same sound quality as WAV, but reduces file size. It is the main lossless format used across the Apple ecosystem, including Apple Music and Apple devices. In real use, it sounds the same as WAV but takes less storage and is easier to transfer.
AAC is a compressed format used for Apple Music streaming. It reduces file size by removing some audio data, but still keeps good sound quality for everyday listening. It is the default streaming format in Apple Music and works across most Apple and non-Apple devices.
Conclusion:
Apple Music is mainly made for streaming, so formats like AAC and ALAC are not designed for editing or music production. That is why WAV is often used when working on music projects, DJ mixing, or CD burning, since it is uncompressed and more flexible.
Apple Music does not support exporting files as WAV directly. Tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter can help convert Apple Music to WAV for more practical use.
In the end, it depends on your needs. Apple Music works well for listening, but WAV is better when you need more control and wider use in music tools.
You May Be Interested
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.
Leave a Comment (0)