Transfer Apple Music (iTunes) to a USB Drive for Safe Backup

Part 1. Convert Apple Music and Save It to a USB Drive

The first and most practical way to get Apple Music onto a USB drive is to convert it into a portable format. Apple Music tracks are DRM-protected, so you need ViWizard Apple Music Converter to unlock them before you can use them anywhere. Why is this important? It's all about flexibility. While you can't transfer Apple Music directly, ViWizard Apple Music Converter can convert any song, playlist, album, or even your entire library to MP3, WAV, FLAC, and more, making them usable anywhere. Just add your files, choose the format, and let the software do its work.

The Easiest Way to Save Apple Music to Your USB Drive

Using ViWizard Apple Music Converter provides a fast, secure, and easy way to save Apple Music to a USB drive, not just for convenient access but also as a permanent backup. No more worrying about DRM restrictions or whether your music will play on non-Apple devices. Plus, there's no download limit. Remember, the converted music is for personal use only.

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

Step 1: Convert Apple Music to MP3, WAV, FLAC, or Other Formats

Open ViWizard Apple Music Converter and log in with your Apple Music account. Click "Add Files" and select playlists, albums, or songs to convert. (Tip: Start with a small batch to confirm settings.) Choose your format. MP3 is best for universal compatibility, while WAV or FLAC is ideal for lossless audio. Click "Convert" and wait for the process to finish. The software keeps metadata like title, album, and artist, which helps when organizing your USB drive.

Step 1 Open ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer. The main window should show a top menu bar with "Apple Music," "Converting," and "Converted" buttons.

Step 2 Click "Sign In" at the top-right corner. Log in with your Apple Music account. A login window will pop up where you enter your Apple ID and password.

Step 3 Browse your library inside ViWizard. Navigate to any album, playlist, or individual song you want to convert. Click the "Add Files" button ("+"). A pop-up will appear listing your Apple Music library, playlists, and albums. Select the songs, albums, or playlists you want to convert, then click "Add to List."

Step 4 Open the menu at the top of the program and go to Preferences > Conversion to set output options. Choose MP3, WAV, M4A, M4B, AIFF, or FLAC. If audio fidelity matters, set the bit rate to 256 kbps or 320 kbps. Higher bit rates create larger files but maintain sound quality close to the original.

Step 5 Click the big "Convert" button near the bottom-right. You'll see a progress bar for each track. Wait until all songs reach 100%.

Step 6 When the conversion finishes, open the output folder from within ViWizard. You'll see fully playable files in your chosen format with metadata preserved - including song title, artist, album, and album artwork - ready to use anywhere.

Step 2: Prepare Your USB Drive

Plug in your USB drive, open the folder with your converted files, and drag them onto the USB. (Tip: Create subfolders by artist or album to make browsing easier.) Large libraries may take a few minutes. When finished, safely eject the drive.

Step 1 Plug in your USB drive and check its format. On Windows, right-click it and select Properties; on Mac, open Disk Utility and select your drive.

Step 2 Decide which format to use: FAT32 for most devices (4GB limit) or exFAT for larger files.

Step 3 If formatting is needed, back up your data first. Then, on Windows, right-click > Format > choose FAT32 or exFAT > Start. On Mac, use Disk Utility > Erase, pick exFAT or MS-DOS (FAT) > Erase.

Step 3: Copy Converted Files to the USB Drive

Insert the USB into your car stereo, smart TV, or media player. Most devices read MP3 or WAV immediately. If not, check that the drive is formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. Your Apple Music is now fully portable and ready to play anywhere without the Apple Music app.

Step 1 Open the folder where your converted files are saved (ViWizard's default output folder).

Step 2 Drag and drop the files or folders into your USB drive, organizing by artist, playlist, or album if you like.

Step 3 Wait for the transfer to finish. Larger collections may take a few minutes.

Step 4 Safely eject the USB drive. On Windows, click the USB icon in the tray > Eject. On Mac, drag the drive to the Trash (it will change to an eject symbol).

Part 2. Back Up Your Apple Music / iTunes Library to a USB Drive

If your goal is backup rather than universal playback, you can copy your library to a USB drive. Subscription-based Apple Music tracks still require conversion to remove DRM before copying.

Step 1: Consolidate the Library

Before anything, consolidate your iTunes or Apple Music library. Open iTunes or the Music app, go to File → Library → Organize Library, and check Consolidate Files. This gathers all media used in playlists into one central folder, such as /username/Music/iTunes/.

Step 1 Open iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Music app (macOS Catalina and later).

Step 2 Go to File > Library > Organize Library.

Step 3 Check Consolidate Files and click OK. This gathers all media used in playlists into one central folder.

Step 2: Copy Local Non-DRM Files

Locate the iTunes Media folder, plug in the USB, and drag the entire folder over. Large libraries take time, so be patient. (Tip: Clear folder names make navigation easier, so you know which songs or playlists are included.)

Step 1 Locate purchased iTunes songs or ripped CDs. On Mac, right-click > Show in Finder; on Windows, right-click > Show in Windows Explorer.

Step 2 Plug in your USB drive.

Step 3 Drag and drop the files into the USB folder.

Step 3: Copy the iTunes Media Folder

Include purchased iTunes songs or ripped CDs. Use "Show in Finder" (Mac) or "Show in File Explorer" (Windows) to locate the files, then copy them to the USB to complete your backup.

Step 1 Find your iTunes Media folder. On Mac (Mojave and earlier): /Users/[Your Username]/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/. On Windows: C:\Users\[Your Username]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\.

Step 2 Plug in your USB drive.

Step 3 Drag the entire folder onto the USB drive. Include iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml to preserve playlists and older library structures.

Step 4: Load the Library from USB

On another computer, open iTunes or the Music app while holding Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows). Click Choose Library and point it to the iTunes folder on the USB drive. Your playlists and media will load just as they do on your main computer, making this an easy way to carry or back up your library.

Step 1 On another computer, open iTunes or Music app while holding Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows).

Step 2 Click Choose Library and select the iTunes folder on the USB drive.

Bonus Tip: Best Practices for Using Apple Music Songs on a USB Drive

When using your USB drive, small habits make it easier to manage Apple Music across devices:

For Car Stereos

Your car stereo probably won't read WAV or FLAC files, so MP3 is your friend here. Plug in your USB and organize songs into folders by artist, album, or playlist. This saves you from scrolling forever while driving. Once plugged in, press the stereo's USB or Media button and browse your folders. Tip: avoid putting hundreds of songs in a single folder. Even modern stereos sometimes have trouble with that many files.

For Smart TVs

Most smart TVs work best with MP3, though WAV gives a small boost in sound quality. Copy your music to a USB, plug it into the TV, and open the media player. Navigate folders by album or playlist and select a track. Keep each folder under 50 to 100 songs to avoid freezes or slow loading.

For DJ Controllers

DJ gear prefers WAV or high-bitrate MP3 files. Trim silent intros or long pauses and add small fade-ins or fade-outs for smoother mixing. Copy the files to a USB your controller can read. Press the browse or library button and load your songs for easier mixing.

For Windows and Mac Computers

MP3 or WAV plays anywhere, without needing Apple Music. Organize your library by artist, album, or playlist. Plug in your USB and copy the folders, or play them directly from your computer. Open your media player, such as Windows Media Player, VLC, or Music app, and enjoy. These files work offline, which helps if your internet drops.

For Any USB Media Player

MP3 is the safest choice for universal compatibility. Trim long intros or silent parts to make playback smoother. Label your tracks with artist, album, and title, and keep folders clear and organized. Plug the USB into the player, press the menu or browse button, and your music is ready to go.

Conclusion

In summary, you can copy your Apple Music library to a USB drive using three methods: directly copying downloaded files (simple but limited), converting songs with third-party software for compatibility, or consolidating your library (complete but needs more space). You're highly recommended to take advantage of ViWizard Apple Music Converter to have the full control of your Apple Music library.