Playing your Apple Music songs on a regular MP3 player sounds easy, but it often isn't. Even if you've bought songs from the iTunes Store in AAC format—a good alternative to MP3—they usually won't play on most MP3 players. That's because Apple Music files are protected by DRM, which limits where and how you can listen to them.
So, what does that mean? Finding a compatible MP3 player for Apple Music isn't easy. Apple used to make dedicated players like the iPod, but they discontinued the line in May 2022, focusing instead on iPhones and streaming services. Now, many Apple users rely on their iPhones as music players, which aren't as compact or convenient as traditional MP3 players. That can be frustrating.
Converting Apple Music to MP3 makes sense because MP3 is supported by nearly all players. Buying an Apple MP3 player might still be an option, but it's not future-proof. Some portable devices that support Apple Music may stop doing so at any time. Converting your files to MP3 is just simpler, cheaper, and more reliable—you won't worry about DRM, device support, or maintenance. Your music will just work on any device.
Still in this post, we'll explain which MP3 players work with Apple Music and how to convert your music to play on almost any device. Whether you're buying new gear or using what you have, we'll guide you to the best options.
Let's get started.
Part 1. Can You Play Apple Music on an MP3 Player?
MP3 players are great if you want to listen to music without using your phone or paying for a streaming subscription every month. They're simple, work offline, and offer a nice break from being constantly connected. But if you're hoping to use Apple Music on one, things can get a little tricky.
Apple Music is designed for streaming. If you subscribe, you can download songs—but those downloads aren't regular music files. They're protected by something called DRM (Digital Rights Management), which means you can't just move them to an MP3 player and start listening. The songs are stored as .m4p files, and most MP3 players don't support that format. What about iTunes purchases? Those are usually .m4a files, which still might not work unless your device is made by Apple, like an iPod.
If you still want to play Apple Music on an MP3 player, buying one that works with Apple Music probably isn't worth it. Most options are either outdated, hard to use, or too expensive for what they offer.
A much easier and smarter option is to turn your Apple Music into regular MP3 files. With ViWizard Apple Music Converter, you can convert your Apple Music library into MP3 and other common formats. Just open the app, select the songs you want, choose MP3, and hit convert. The files are saved to your computer with no DRM protection, so you can transfer them to any MP3 player and listen anytime—even without internet or a subscription. It's simple, reliable, and hassle-free. You can give it a try today!
A full-featured Apple Music converter that easily converts Apple Music songs, albums, playlists—including iCloud Music Library content, personalized recommendations, and curated playlists—into MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, and FLAC so you can keep your Apple Music forever or transfer it to any device without restrictions.
Part 2. Apple MP3 Players That Work with Apple Music
If you want an MP3 player that works with Apple Music right away, the iPod Touch is your best bet. Although Apple no longer makes it, the iPod Touch still runs iOS and supports the Apple Music app just like an iPhone. You can sign in with your Apple ID, stream music, download songs, and listen offline. It's basically an iPhone without the phone, making it a perfect lightweight, dedicated music player.
While new ones can be hard to find, a used iPod Touch in good shape still works great, especially if you're already using Apple's ecosystem.
1. iPod 5th Generation
The 5th-gen iPod Touch is slim, light, and built around a 4-inch Retina display that still looks good for everyday use. It comes with 32GB or 64GB of storage — enough for a decent-sized music library. It runs on iOS and connects to the internet over Wi-Fi, so you can use apps like Spotify and Apple Music. While its design is still popular for being small and portable, the older hardware and shorter battery life are noticeable. Still, for basic streaming and offline listening, it does the job just fine.
DAC: Integrated Apple audio codec (no dedicated high-end DAC)
Headphone Amp Power: ~30mW @ 32Ω
High-res Audio: Up to 24bit/48kHz (limited support)
Bluetooth Codecs: AAC, SBC
Supported Formats: MP3, AAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF
Storage: 32GB or 64GB
Battery Life: ~40 hours audio / ~8 hours video
USB DAC Mode: Not supported
Screen: 4-inch Retina LCD (1136×640 resolution)
OS: iOS 6 (upgradable to iOS 9.3.5)
2. iPod 6th Generation
The 6th-gen model keeps the same 4-inch screen but has a faster A8 chip and M8 motion coprocessor inside. That extra power makes apps run more smoothly and helps it stream music on Spotify without lag. It comes with up to 128GB of storage, which is great for downloading songs. It's a small and handy device that blends the classic iPod feel with better speed — perfect for people who want a simple music player that can still run modern apps over Wi-Fi.
DAC: Integrated Apple audio codec (improved over 5th Gen)
Headphone Amp Power: ~30mW @ 32Ω
High-res Audio: Up to 24bit/48kHz (no native DSD support)
Bluetooth Codecs: AAC, SBC
Supported Formats: MP3, AAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF
Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB
Battery Life: ~40 hours audio / ~8 hours video
USB DAC Mode: Not supported
Screen: 4-inch Retina LCD (1136×640 resolution)
OS: iOS 8.4 (upgradable to iOS 12.5.7)
3. iPod 7th Generation (Latest)
The last iPod Touch is the most powerful. It has an A10 Fusion chip and up to 256GB of storage, so it can handle music streaming, video calls like Group FaceTime, and even heavier apps. It still uses a 4-inch Retina display and connects over Wi-Fi. It's not a phone replacement, but as a music-focused device, it offers a great mix of speed, storage, and portability — especially for fans of the classic iPod style who want more modern features.
DAC: Integrated Apple audio codec (same as iPhone 7 series)
Headphone Amp Power: ~30mW @ 32Ω
High-res Audio: Up to 24bit/48kHz (Apple Music Lossless supported)
Bluetooth Codecs: AAC, SBC (no aptX or LDAC)
Supported Formats: MP3, AAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF
Storage: 32GB, 128GB, 256GB
Battery Life: ~40 hours audio / ~8 hours video
USB DAC Mode: Not supported
Screen: 4-inch Retina LCD (1136×640 resolution)
OS: iOS 12.3 (upgradable to iOS 15.7.9 – final version)
What About iPod Classic, Shuffle, and Nano?
You might wonder about older iPods like the Classic, Shuffle, and Nano. These were made before streaming was popular and are best for music you own without restrictions. They work great with regular MP3 files but don't support Apple Music. That's because Apple Music files have special protections called DRM. To play your favorite Apple Music songs on these devices, you'll need ViWizard Apple Music Converter to change them into easy-to-use MP3 files that are truly yours.
Can't sync Apple Music songs to iPod nano, shuffle, classic, or touch? This post offers several method to help you play Apple Music on iPod nano, shuffle, classic, or touch.
Part 3. Portable MP3 Players That Support Apple Music
If you're searching for portable MP3 players that support Apple Music beyond Apple's own devices, options are limited. Some brands like FiiO can run the Apple Music app, but it often requires sideloading the Android version yourself, which isn't straightforward.
So, while there are some possible workarounds, the easiest way remains using an Apple device or converting your music to MP3 for effortless listening on any player.
1. Sony Walkman
Example models: Sony NW-A105, NW-ZX507, NW-A100TPS (Bruce Springsteen Edition), NW-ZX507 (Mk2 version)
The Sony NW-A105 Walkman runs on Android, letting you download and use Apple Music and Spotify apps just like on your phone. It has a 3.6-inch touchscreen, 16GB of storage expandable via microSD, and up to 26 hours of battery life. Sony combines its long legacy of great sound with modern Android features in this player. It supports high-resolution audio, Bluetooth LDAC, and powerful headphone amps. You can stream and download Apple Music directly, with no extra apps or complicated steps needed.
DAC: Sony S-Master HX or ESS Sabre
Headphone Amp Power: ~150mW @ 32Ω
High-res Audio: Up to 32bit/384kHz, DSD supported
Bluetooth Codecs: LDAC, aptX HD, AAC, SBC
Supported Formats: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC, ALAC, DSD
Storage: 16-64GB internal + microSD up to 1TB
Battery Life: ~20-26 hours depending on model
USB DAC Mode: Yes
Screen: 3.6-inch touchscreen or LCD
OS: Android 9.0 with Google Play Store
If you have the Sony Walkman player on Android models, we'd like to tell how you can download the native Apple Music app to it. If you have other models, here's the best workaround for you to get and play compatible Apple Music audio.
2. FiiO
Example models: FiiO M6, M15, M11 Pro, M11, M17
The FiiO M6 is a compact player with a 3.2-inch touchscreen and 2GB of storage, expandable with microSD cards. It supports Wi-Fi streaming for Apple Music and Spotify through sideloaded apps or web players, but it doesn't have Google Play Store by default. So, users usually convert Apple Music tracks or sideload apps to listen. Despite this, the M6 is popular for its portability, strong sound quality, support for many formats, and Bluetooth options. FiiO players have excellent DACs and headphone amps, delivering clear, powerful audio.
DAC: AKM AK4490/AK4493 or ESS Sabre
Headphone Amp Power: ~250mW @ 32Ω (M11 series)
High-res Audio: Up to 32bit/384kHz, native DSD playback
Bluetooth Codecs: LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
Supported Formats: FLAC, WAV, ALAC, DSD, MP3, AAC, AIFF, APE, WMA
Storage: Internal varies + microSD up to 2TB
Battery Life: 8-15 hours depending on model
USB DAC Mode: Yes
Screen: 4.0-5.15 inch touchscreen
OS: Android-based, often no Google Play Store
3. HiBy
Example models: R2 Pro, R3 Pro Saber, R5, R6 Pro, R8
The HiBy R5 is a mid-range player with a 4.0-inch touchscreen, 2GB RAM, and 32GB storage expandable via microSD. It supports Wi-Fi streaming of Apple Music and Spotify and offers balanced audio output for rich sound. HiBy players run either full Android with Google Play or their own OS that allows app sideloading, so many users can install the official Apple Music app. The R5 is praised for detailed sound, wide format support, strong DACs like the Cirrus Logic CS43131, and Bluetooth codecs including LDAC. Battery life is solid but usually less than Sony's Walkman.
DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43131, ESS Sabre, or AKM (model-dependent)
Headphone Amp Power: ~60mW @ 32Ω (R3 Pro Saber)
High-res Audio: Up to 32bit/384kHz, DSD supported
Bluetooth Codecs: LDAC, aptX HD, AAC, SBC
Supported Formats: DSD, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3, WMA, AAC, M4A
Storage: No internal (some models) + microSD up to 1TB
Battery Life: ~10 hours (R3 Pro Saber)
USB DAC Mode: Yes
Screen: 1.54-inch, 240x240 (on smaller models)
OS: Android (Google Play on some models) or HiBy OS
Part 4. Best Way to Play Apple Music on Any MP3 Player
If you want to play Apple Music on any MP3 player without running into limits or restrictions, converting your songs to MP3 is the easiest and most reliable solution. Instead of streaming through the Apple Music app and hitting device limits, you can download your music as regular files and listen anywhere.
What You'll Need: ViWizard Apple Music Converter
ViWizard Apple Music Converter makes this process quick and easy. It removes DRM protection from your Apple Music songs, so you get real music files you can keep and use forever. Just select your favorite songs, playlists, or albums, choose the MP3 format, and start converting. The sound quality stays the same, and all your song info—like titles and album art—is preserved.
Step 1: Download an Apple Music to MP3 Converter
Getting ready? Just remember to keep those converted Apple Music tracks for personal use only, like loading them onto your MP3 player. ViWizard Apple Music Converter is available on both PC and Mac, just select the suitable version to download.
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 2: Convert Apple Music to MP3 Format
Now, let's walk through how to make it happen:
1Install ViWizard and Sign In
Start by downloading ViWizard Apple Music Converter for Windows or Mac. Open the program, and log into your Apple Music account using the built-in web player. This lets ViWizard access your entire Apple Music library so you can pick exactly what you want to convert.
2Choose MP3 as Your Output Format
Head into the settings menu and choose MP3 as your output format. This gives you the widest compatibility with MP3 players. You can also adjust the bit rate, sample rate, and even keep song lyrics if your device supports them.
3Select Songs or Playlists to Convert
Browse through your Apple Music library within ViWizard and pick the songs, albums, or playlists you want to take offline. Add them to your list and hit convert. ViWizard handles everything in the background and can process multiple tracks quickly.
4Find and Transfer Your Music
When the conversion is done, you'll find your new MP3 files in the output folder. These files come with full track info, album art, and even lyrics (if available), so they stay organized when you move them to your MP3 player—just like any regular MP3 download.
Step 3: Transfer MP3 Files to Your MP3 Player
Now that you have your Apple Music songs converted to MP3, it's time to move them to your MP3 player or iPod.
Option 1: Transfer to a Standard MP3 Player
- Connect your MP3 player to your computer with a USB cable.
- Open the folder where your converted MP3 files are saved.
- Copy the files (Ctrl + C on Windows, Command + C on Mac).
- Open your MP3 player's storage folder and paste the files (Ctrl + V on Windows, Command + V on Mac), or simply drag and drop them.
- When the transfer is done, safely eject your MP3 player.
- Disconnect it and open the music library to find and play your Apple Music tracks.
Option 2: Transfer to an iPod
- Connect your iPod to your computer with a USB cable.
- Open iTunes (if it doesn't open automatically).
- Click File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library, and select your converted MP3 files.
- Click the iPod icon in the top-left corner of iTunes.
- Go to the Music tab in the sidebar.
- Check Sync Music to enable syncing.
- Choose to sync your entire library or select specific playlists, albums, or songs.
- Click Apply or Sync to start transferring.
- When syncing finishes, safely disconnect your iPod.
Wrap Up
Now that all the steps are finished, you can put Apple Music on MP3 player, then listen to Apple Music songs at any time. Don't forget that ViWizard Apple Music Converter can do a lot more than this. It can do the same trick to remove DRM from iTunes audios and Audible audiobooks. Go to have a try, and you'll like it.
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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.
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