How to Remove DRM from iTunes Music [100% Working]

Part 1. What Is DRM in iTunes Music?

DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is a technology that controls how digital content is used. In the case of iTunes and Apple Music, it's Apple's way of locking music to its own ecosystem. Apple calls this system FairPlay, and it limits what you can do with songs from its streaming service.

If you're listening through an iPhone or Mac, everything works smoothly. But the moment you try to play Apple Music on a different device—like an Android phone, a smart speaker, or even an older MP3 player—you'll hit a wall. That's DRM at work, quietly restricting how and where your music plays.

The idea behind DRM is to prevent unauthorized sharing. But in practice, it often blocks everyday uses—like backing up your library, transferring tracks to a USB drive for your car, or keeping music after ending a subscription. It turns what feels like your music into something more like a rental.

Part 2. How Does DRM Work in iTunes Music?

Apple's DRM system, FairPlay, is built into tracks from its Apple Music streaming service. It works by encrypting music files so they can only be played through authorized Apple accounts and apps. These files are usually in AAC format, but with extra restrictions baked in.

If you try to move an Apple Music file to a different app, you might first find the downloaded file and notice it's in M4P format. But then you realize the DRM check fails, and the M4P track simply won't play unless it's opened in an authorized app. You don't actually "own" the digital music or downloaded files in the traditional sense.

But it's worth noting that not all iTunes content is protected. Apple removed DRM from most iTunes Store purchases years ago (specifically post-2009 music, which we'll explain later). However, songs from the Apple Music subscription catalog are still DRM-protected by default.

DRM doesn't stop you from enjoying music—it just limits your options. For many users, especially those who want more flexibility with their libraries, these limits are a constant frustration. And understanding how DRM works is the first step toward finding ways around it.

Part 3. DRM-Protected vs. DRM-Free iTunes Music: Why It Matters

If you value having your music on multiple platforms or devices, removing DRM is essential.

Critical Reasons to Remove DRM:

• If you want to play your music on non-Apple devices (Android phones, MP3 players, smart speakers), you should remove DRM.
• If you want to avoid losing your iTunes library when your Apple Music subscription lapses, you should remove DRM.
• If you need to back up your music collection securely, you should remove DRM to ensure continued access.
• If you want to transfer music freely between devices, including non-Apple devices, you should remove DRM.

Everyday Reasons to Remove DRM:

Even if you're not worried about losing access, DRM removal unlocks more ways to use your music. Apple Music and iTunes downloads come with FairPlay encryption that may cause issues, like offline mode not working, or trouble accessing downloaded music. Files often come in M4P format, which isn't widely supported.

• If you're downloading music from Apple Music, you should remove DRM to make the files truly yours.
• If you've purchased music from the iTunes, check if it's labeled as protected AAC (with DRM). If so, you should remove DRM.
• If you're using iTunes Match, combining it with DRM removal will fully unlock your music library.

Free/Paid iTunes DRM Removal Software [100% Safe]

This article introduces 4 top free iTunes DRM removal tools to help you remove FairPlay DRM from iTunes movies, TV-shows, music and audiobooks.

Part 4. Can You Remove DRM from iTunes Music?

You can remove DRM from certain iTunes content, but not from your entire library.

Apple Music vs. iTunes Match: How They Affect DRM

With iTunes Match, you can re-download DRM-free purchases made before 2009. However, any tracks that are matched or ripped from your own CDs may still carry DRM. On the other hand, music purchased after 2009 is typically DRM-free, so you don't need to worry about restrictions.

But here's where it gets tricky: Apple Music, the most popular subscription service, doesn't naturally provide DRM-free tracks unless you purchase them directly from the iTunes Store.

Although you can stream music from Apple's vast catalog without restrictions, Apple Music itself still includes DRM protection on tracks. If you're looking for a more permanent solution to remove that protection, you'll need a tool like the ViWizard Apple Music Converter. This is a convenient, one-time method that works for anyone who wants to make sure their music is DRM-free for good. Of course, you could try Requiem as well, but it's not as user-friendly and requires a bit of technical know-how.

Apple Music Converter

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.

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Part 5. Top Tools to Remove DRM from iTunes Music

1. Converting DRM-Protected Tracks (ViWizard)

When it comes to removing DRM from iTunes music, ViWizard Apple Music Converter is one of the best tools for the job. It simplifies the process by converting your protected tracks into DRM-free files, ready for any device. You just select the music, choose the output format, and let ViWizard handle the rest.

Why ViWizard Apple Music Converter for DRM Removal?

What sets ViWizard apart is its user-friendly interface. It doesn't just remove DRM—it also preserves all your metadata—song titles, album artwork, and artist info—exactly as they were. I've tested it myself, and every file came out perfectly, ready to be played without any restrictions.

ViWizard also offers flexibility with multiple output formats like MP3, FLAC, and AAC, and supports batch conversion to save you time. Plus, you can adjust the audio quality for more control over bitrate or sample rate. The tool works fast, even with large libraries, making the entire process seamless and efficient. Once your files are converted, it's easy to move them to your device, either by dragging them directly or syncing via USB. After that, your iTunes music collection is ready to be enjoyed without DRM, for everyday personal use.

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

1. Go to the ViWizard website, download the Apple Music Converter for your operating system (Windows or macOS), and install the program.
2. Open the software and log in with your Apple ID linked to your Apple Music subscription. This grants access to your full music library, including songs, playlists, and albums.
3. Click the settings icon to open audio preferences. Select MP3 for broad compatibility and adjust the sample rate, bitrate, and channels as desired.
4. Click the "+" button to browse your Apple Music library. Choose the tracks you want to convert (songs, albums, or playlists), and add them to the conversion list.
5. Click the Convert button to begin converting the selected tracks. ViWizard handles batch conversion, so you can process multiple files at once.

Once the conversion is complete, click History to view your files. Open the output folder, and your DRM-free MP3 files are ready. You can now transfer them to any device or store them for offline access.

2. Freeing DRM-Protected Tracks (Requiem)

Another option for DRM removal is Requiem, a tool designed specifically for removing DRM protection from iTunes music and videos. It allows you to play iTunes content on devices that aren't officially supported by Apple.

However, Requiem has limitations, such as compatibility issues with newer iTunes versions and operating systems. It's best suited for users with older versions of iTunes and specific operating systems. Be sure to research the legal implications and exercise caution when using DRM removal tools.

1. Ensure you have iTunes 10.7 installed. If you have a newer version, uninstall it to avoid conflicts.
2. Obtain Requiem 4.1 from a trusted source (use caution, as Requiem may no longer be maintained).
3. Navigate to your iTunes library directory (e.g., "C:/Users/username/Music/iTunes" for Windows) and rename the folder containing your iTunes library.
4. Open iTunes 10.7, download the iTunes content you want to remove DRM from, and deauthorize/re-authorize your computer in iTunes.
5. Close iTunes and open Requiem 4.1. It will automatically detect DRM-protected files in your iTunes library and remove the DRM.

3. Upgrading DRM-Free Tracks (iTunes Match)

If you have an iTunes Match subscription, you can upgrade your iTunes library by replacing DRM-protected tracks with DRM-free versions. While iTunes Match doesn't remove DRM from previously purchased tracks, it will match them with high-quality, DRM-free versions from the iTunes Store, ensuring better audio quality and compatibility across devices.

For complete DRM removal, however, ViWizard Apple Music Converter is the better choice.

1. Open iTunes, click "Store" (Windows) or "Account" (Mac), and select "iTunes Match." Enter your billing info and subscribe.



2. Go to "View" > "Show View Options" and select "Kind" under the "File" section to see which tracks are DRM-protected.



3. Go to "File" > "Library" > "Update iCloud Music Library" to start matching your songs with DRM-free versions.



4. In the "Music" section of iTunes, find the tracks with the "Cloud" icon and click to download the DRM-free versions.

4. Ripping DRM-Free Tracks from CD (iTunes)

If you want to add DRM-free music to your iTunes library, you can rip songs directly from CDs.

1. Place the CD into your computer's CD drive, and iTunes should automatically recognize it.
2. Verify that iTunes correctly retrieves track information.
3. In iTunes, go to Preferences > General > Import Settings, and choose your preferred audio format (MP3, AAC) and quality.
4. Select the tracks you want to import or click "Import CD" to rip the entire CD. The songs will appear in your iTunes library as DRM-free files once the process is complete.

Bonus: How to Tell If Your iTunes Music Has DRM

It's important to determine if your music is DRM-protected, especially with older iTunes purchases, as DRM was more common on albums or singles bought before 2009. Here's how to check if your iTunes music is protected:

1. Using iTunes or Apple Music App

• For iTunes (Windows and Mac):

  

  1. Open iTunes and go to your music library.
  2. Right-click on the track you want to check and select "Song Info" or "Get Info."
  3. Check the "Kind" field. If it says "Protected AAC audio file," the song is DRM-protected.
• For Apple Music App (macOS and iOS):
  1. Open the Apple Music app.
  2. Right-click on the song or tap the three dots next to it.
  3. Check the song info. If it says "Apple Music" or "Protected," the track is likely DRM-protected and not directly downloadable in an unprotected format.

2. Using the "Cloud" Icon in iTunes

For users with iTunes Match or iCloud Music Library, you can check if a song is DRM-protected by whether it displays a cloud icon next to it. Songs stored in iCloud are generally DRM-free, but older downloads may still have DRM protection.

3. Check Your Purchase History

If the song or album was purchased before 2009, there's a higher chance it might still be DRM-protected. However, iTunes Match can help upgrade older DRM-protected purchases to DRM-free versions, allowing for better compatibility across various devices.

Conclusion

In this guide, we've explored the world of iTunes music and how to liberate it from Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions, like using ViWizard Apple Music Converter that works with your entire iTunes library. Also, you can try downloading DRM-free music from iTunes with if you're using iTunes Match. Or you can consider using other tools like ViWizard Audio Capture or a professional Requiem to get DRM-free music from iTunes.