Apple Music isn't just for iPhones anymore. These days, it works across just about everything—Macs, Windows PCs, and even Android. And with the newer Apple Music app for Windows 11 (called Apple Music Preview), desktop users now have more ways to listen to their favorite music—including the songs you'd gladly spend a bit of data and storage space to keep offline. Having music saved to your computer can make a big difference when listening on your laptop while flying, or if you simply prefer not to stay online all the time. Offline just feels a bit more private—perfect for music.
When it comes to offline listening, downloads are still key. And once they're on your computer, you're no longer limited—you don't even need to stay tied to an Apple Music subscription.
There are two important ways to make that happen: yes, Apple Music subscribers can download music to their computer—on both Mac and PC. And for those interested in MP3s, you just need to meet ViWizard Apple Music Converter. Just keep in mind: all music downloaded should be for personal use only. Once saved, the files work seamlessly with other devices like an iPhone, iPad, or even a USB drive or burned CD—whether you're planning to cancel Apple Music or not.
One heads-up: some of this might be familiar if you've used Apple's ecosystem for a while. But for anyone new to Apple Music—or just new to using it on desktop—this guide will help you get the most out of your music collection.
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Part 1. Best Way to Download Apple Music to Directly PC or Mac (With ViWizard)
Sometimes streaming Apple Music isn't enough—you may want to download songs directly to your PC or Mac. However, Apple Music tracks come in formats like M4P or AAC, which aren't as flexible as MP3. M4P files are protected by DRM, limiting how you can use them, while AAC files, though DRM-free, typically come from paid iTunes Store purchases.
The best solution is to convert these tracks into a universal format like MP3.
What You Need: ViWizard Apple Music Converter
MP3 is widely supported across nearly all devices, not just those authorized by Apple. Fortunately, there's a simple way to make the switch: ViWizard Apple Music Converter. It's a powerful yet easy-to-use tool that lets you download music from Apple Music directly to your computer, remove DRM, and convert tracks to MP3 or other popular formats like WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, and M4B.
ViWizard includes a built-in Apple Music web player, so you can log in, select songs, and customize output settings such as bit rate, sample rate, and codec. With ViWizard, you can download songs, albums, and playlists—essentially any Apple Music content—and transfer them from your desktop to other devices without restrictions.

Keep Apple Music songs forever by saving them in formats like MP3 to play anywhere.
Keep in mind, the output quality reflects your Apple Music subscription settings (such as Dolby Atmos or lossless audio). ViWizard doesn't aim for bit-perfect lossless copies, but instead balances customization options and original source to deliver a result optimized for personal listening.
Step 1Install ViWizard and Sign In to Apple Music
Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer. Once installed, open the app and log in to your Apple Music account using the built-in web player. This gives you full access to your Apple Music library so you can pick what you want to save.
Step 2Pick an Output Format (Like MP3)
Go to the settings section before converting. Choose MP3 as your output format—it's the most compatible with all devices. You can also adjust sound quality settings like bit rate, sample rate, and audio channels. If you want to keep synced lyrics or text files, make sure those options are selected too.
Step 3Select the Songs You Want to Keep
Browse through your library inside the ViWizard interface. Choose songs, albums, or playlists you'd like to download. Click the "+" button to add them to the list. When everything's ready, hit the Convert button to start saving your tracks as regular audio files.
Step 4Find and Enjoy Your New Music Files
Once the process finishes, go to the History tab or open the output folder on your computer. You'll see your converted music there—free of DRM, and ready to use however you like. You can play the songs, copy them to a USB drive, move them to your phone, or back them up. All the original details like album art and titles stay with the files, making it easy to keep your collection neat.
Part 2. How to Download Apple Music to PC or Mac (Official Method)
Yes, you can download music from Apple Music to your computer, but you'll need an active Apple Music subscription. This gives you access to download songs for offline listening, though the files remain protected by DRM and tied to your Apple ID. The exact method depends on your device and operating system.
If the music you're downloading supports enhanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos, you'll typically see an indicator next to the track or album in the app. To ensure you download music in Dolby Atmos when available, make sure to check your Apple Music settings on your device and enable the option for downloading Dolby Atmos content.
Downloading Music from Apple's Music Catalog:
For Windows 11 (using the Apple Music app):
- Open the Microsoft Store and install the Apple Music app.
- Launch the app and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Browse or search for songs, albums, or playlists.
- If Dolby Atmos is available, you'll notice an indicator near the music—choose to download in that format if you want the immersive experience.
- Click the "+" icon to add music to your library.
- Click the download icon to save it offline.
- To check for updates, open the Microsoft Store, go to Library, and select Get updates.
Downloaded files are stored under:
C:\Users\[Your Username]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music
For Mac (macOS Catalina and later, using the Apple Music app):
- Open the Apple Music app.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Search for music and look for the Dolby Atmos availability indicator next to tracks or albums.
- In Apple Music's preferences, ensure the setting to download Dolby Atmos content is enabled for the best audio quality.
- Click the "+" button to add music to your library.
- Click the download icon to save it offline.
- Music is stored in the Music folder, but managed by the app. You can adjust the storage location in the app's settings.
Files are managed under:
/Users/[Your Username]/Music/Music/Media/Music/
For Windows 10 (using iTunes):
- Download iTunes from the Microsoft Store and install it.
- Launch iTunes and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Browse Apple Music content or go to your Library.
- Look for Dolby Atmos availability where applicable and ensure your settings enable downloading it.
- Click the "+" icon to add the music to your library.
- Once the music is added, click the download icon next to the track, album, or playlist to start downloading.
Note: All Apple Music downloads are in M4P format with DRM protection and playable only through Apple-authorized apps or devices.
For Mac (macOS Mojave and earlier, using iTunes):
- Open iTunes.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Browse or search for music and add it to your library.
- Click the cloud icon with a downward arrow to download.
Music is stored under:
/Users/[Your Username]/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/
Note: Dolby Atmos support is limited or unavailable on older iTunes versions.
Part 3. How to Download Purchased iTunes Music on PC or Mac (Official Method)
If you prefer to own your music outright, buying from the iTunes Store is the better option. Purchased songs are in DRM-free AAC format, different from what's being downloaded from Apple's streaming music catalog and are yours forever. You can use them offline easily across different devices, not just computers, or even set them as ringtones.
Buying and Downloading Music from the iTunes Store:
- Open iTunes (on Windows or older macOS), or go to the iTunes Store tab in the Music app (on newer macOS).
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Navigate to the iTunes Store tab.
- Search for the song or album you want.
- Click Buy next to the item. Most songs are $1.29, and albums range from $9.99 to $14.99.
- The song will download automatically. To re-download, go to the Purchased section and click the cloud icon.
Storage locations:
- Windows:
C:\Users\[Your Username]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music
- Mac (Catalina or later):
/Users/[Your Username]/Music/Music/Media/Music/
- Mac (Mojave or earlier):
/Users/[Your Username]/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/
Tip: To access your purchased songs across devices, turn on iCloud Music Library in settings. Since iTunes purchases are DRM-free, they can be transferred or used freely on authorized devices linked to your Apple ID.
Part 4. How to Transfer Downloaded Apple Music to Other Devices
Now that you've downloaded Apple Music to your PC or Mac, it's time to explore how to manage those files and transfer them to other devices. The steps will vary depending on the file format—M4P, AAC, or MP3—and where the files were originally saved.
- If you used iTunes to download Apple Music tracks, they're most likely in M4P or AAC format and stored in your default iTunes library folder. You'll need to use iTunes to manage and transfer them to Apple devices.
- If you used ViWizard Apple Music Converter to download and convert tracks to MP3, you can find your files in the folder you selected during the conversion process. MP3 files are more flexible and can be transferred to almost any device, including iPhones, iPads, and Android smartphones.
- If you want to organize everything in one place, iTunes is still the best option for managing and syncing your music library across devices.
Transferring Apple Music Downloads to iPhone or iPad (MP3 Files)
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open iTunes on your PC.
- Drag and drop your MP3 files (converted via ViWizard) into your iTunes library.
- Go to the "Music" section in iTunes and enable music syncing.
- Choose to sync your entire music library or select specific playlists, albums, or tracks.
- Click "Apply" or "Sync" to begin the transfer.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the Music app and go to the Downloaded section to find your transferred songs.
Transferring Apple Music Downloads to Android Smartphones or Tablets
- Connect your Android device to your PC using a USB cable.
- On your PC, open your Android phone's internal storage.
- Locate the ViWizard output folder where your MP3 files were saved.
- Copy and paste the MP3 files into your preferred music folder on the Android device.
- Open your favorite music player app on the Android phone.
- Use the app's "import" or "add music" function to add the new tracks to your library.
Transferring Apple Music Downloads to USB Flash Drive
- Connect your USB flash drive to your PC or Mac.
- Locate your Apple Music files on your computer. If you used iTunes to download music, find your M4P or AAC files in the iTunes Media folder. If you converted your music with ViWizard, open the folder where your MP3 files were saved.
- Select the songs, albums, or playlists you want to transfer.
- Move the selected files onto your USB flash drive.
- Safely eject the USB drive once the transfer is complete.
Part 5. FAQs About Downloading Apple Music to Computer
Why do I get error messages when downloading songs on my PC?
This can happen sometimes. Try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in. Restart your computer and turn Sync Library off and on again. This usually fixes the problem.
Why do only some songs download or some don't download at all?
High-quality music like Lossless or Dolby Atmos needs a strong internet connection. If your connection is slow or unstable, some songs may not download properly.
The Apple Music app on Windows opens but won't play or download music. What should I do?
Try deleting the app's cache files to clear any problems. Also, turning off Lossless audio in the settings can stop crashes and playback issues.
I downloaded songs but can't play them on the Windows Apple Music app.
Try reinstalling the app or use iTunes instead. Some users fixed this by removing software that controls network traffic because it was blocking Apple Music.
Why does the Apple Music app on Windows sometimes stop playing or crash?
This is a common issue. Updating the app and changing audio settings can help. Some users find iTunes works better on Windows for now.
Conclusion
If you decide to constantly renew Apple Music and don't plan to play Apple Music on more devices, you could only download Apple Music songs as cache files for offline listening on PC. But with the help of ViWizard Apple Music Converter, you can download Apple Music songs to PC locally. Furthermore, it convert Apple Music songs to several unprotected audio files for playing anywhere.
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