Screen recording on an iPhone can be really useful. Whenever you need it, it's right in the Control Center, ready to save a video moment, capture a tutorial, or record something happening on your screen, including app interfaces.
It feels seamless and reliable - until you try it with Apple Music.
When you open Apple Music, scroll down the Control Center, and tap the little red dot, the top bar turns red, showing that screen recording is in progress. You play the song, wait patiently, then stop the music and the recording. But when you check the video, the audio is muted, as if something went wrong. So… what's happening?
Preview:
- Apple Music mutes audio during iPhone screen recording because of DRM.
- Turning on the microphone only records outside sounds, not the original song.
- Silent recordings still take up device storage until deleted.
- You can use special tools to record Apple Music on iPhone, PC, or Mac.
Part 1. Why You Can't Record Apple Music Audio with Screen Recording
Even though the screen records normally, streaming content - whether audio like Apple Music or video like Netflix - often doesn't work with the iPhone's Screen Recording.
This happens because Apple Music has added a security measure that mutes audio whenever you start screen recording inside the app.
In most cases, if your microphone is on, the screen recorder might pick up sounds in the room, but it still won't capture the actual song. If the microphone is off, the recording will be completely silent. These muted recordings still take up space on your device until you delete them.
The main reason is DRM protection. Apple Music uses Digital Rights Management to prevent songs from being copied or shared without permission. Even personal-use recordings inside the app are blocked. You just can't take it from Apple Music, even if you already have a subscription.
To record Apple Music, you can either stick to using your iPhone's microphone to capture external audio or use a dedicated tool for a more satisfying outcome. However, these tools require Windows or Mac. You can find them in Part 2 below.
Part 2. Methods to Record Apple Music Audio on PC or Mac
Apple Music downloads are DRM-protected, which makes them hard to find on an iPhone or use in software like iMovie. If you want to keep your favorite songs long-term or extract audio from screen recordings, desktop recording tools are the most practical solution. Here are four reliable methods:
Method 1. Record Apple Music with ViWizard Apple Music Converter
ViWizard Apple Music Converter is ideal when standard screen recording isn't enough. It's designed to remove DRM protection, so you can download and save Apple Music tracks as ready-to-use audio files, like MP3. First, make sure to download the version that matches your system—Windows or Mac. It's free to try out.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install it, then open the software. You'll see a fully integrated Apple Music Web Player that requires you to log in to access your library or the songs you want to record. Tap Sign in, log in, then go to the song you want to record. Click the red plus button with a music note in the bottom-right corner to load your selections into the conversion list.
Choose your output format in Menu > Preferences > Conversions > Output Format, then click Convert. ViWizard works in the background, letting Apple Music play normally. Once finished, your tracks are saved on your device—ready to play or transfer to any device, including your iPhone.

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.
Method 2. Record Apple Music with ViWizard Apple Music Recorder (Audio Capture)
If you prefer full control over the recording process instead of letting the Converter handle it, ViWizard Audio Capture is a great choice. It focuses on capturing audio as it plays on your computer—from local media players, streaming apps, or browser audio.
It's simple to use. Download ViWizard Audio Capture, select the output format, and choose Apple Music or iTunes as your source. Click Start, and the Apple Music app interface will appear. To record a song, hit the Play button. ViWizard will start recording and display the progress and elapsed time.
The software also automatically matches important metadata like song title, artist, and album. Once the song finishes—or if you stop it mid-track—the recorded audio is saved in the History section. From there, you can perform basic edits, such as cutting sections to create a ringtone or leaving the file as-is for playback.
If you want more control over recording, is a great option. It captures audio from any source on your computer, whether local media players, streaming apps, or browsers.

A multifunctional audio recording tool that captures any sound playing on your computer, including streaming music, live radio, game sounds, background music, and online meetings, with built-in auto-splitting and advanced editing features to save recordings in MP3, WAV, and other formats while maintaining the highest quality and embedding track details.
Method 3. Record Apple Music with JoyoShare VidiKit
Joyoshare VidiKit Screen Recorder is a great choice if you want to capture both audio and video from Apple Music. First, download and install the software on your PC or Mac. Once opened, select the screen area you want to record—this could be the full screen or just the Apple Music window. Make sure System Audio is enabled so the music is captured in high quality.
Next, start playing the Apple Music tracks you want to record. Click the Record button in VidiKit to begin capturing. While recording, you'll see a live preview of the video and audio, so you can make sure everything is being captured correctly.
Once the song—or playlist—finishes, click Stop. The recording will automatically be saved to your chosen folder. From there, you can rename the file, trim unnecessary sections, or convert it to a preferred format if needed. VidiKit works on both PC and Mac and is simple enough for beginners while giving enough control for advanced users.
Method 4. Record Apple Music Using QuickTime Player
For Mac users, QuickTime Player can capture Apple Music from an iPhone. Connect your iPhone to the Mac using a Lightning cable. Open QuickTime Player and select File > New Audio Recording. In the recording window, click the small arrow next to the Record button and select your iPhone as the audio source.
Next, open Apple Music on your iPhone and play the track you want to capture. Click Record in QuickTime to start recording the audio. You can monitor the recording levels to make sure the sound is being captured properly.
Once the song finishes—or if you stop it mid-track—click Stop. The recording will be saved automatically to your Mac. From there, you can rename the file, move it to another location, or export it to a different format.
Part 3. How to Transfer Recorded Apple Music Audio to iPhone
Once your Apple Music tracks are recorded and converted, you can move them to your iPhone for playback or video projects.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Open iTunes if it doesn't launch automatically.
- If prompted, authorize your computer to access your iPhone.
- Click the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner of iTunes to open your device settings.
- In the left sidebar, click Music under your iPhone's name.
- Drag and drop your recorded Apple Music files into the iTunes window, or go to File > Add File to Library and select your files.
- Make sure your sync settings include the new tracks. Check the Music tab and select the playlists or folders where you want the recordings to appear.
- Click Apply or Sync in the lower-right corner to start transferring the files.
- Wait for iTunes to finish syncing. You'll see a notification when it's complete.
- Safely eject your iPhone by clicking the Eject icon next to your device's name.
After syncing, the recorded Apple Music tracks will appear in the Music app on your iPhone. You can play them, add them to playlists, or use them in video editing projects.
Part 4. How to Record Apple Music on iPhone (Using Microphone)
If you don't have a desktop or prefer recording directly on your iPhone, you can capture Apple Music using the built-in screen recorder with the microphone enabled.
- Open Settings and go to Control Center.
- Scroll to Screen Recording and tap the green + button to add it to your Control Center. Move it near the top for quick access.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older iPhones) to open Control Center.
- Press and hold the Screen Recording button. Tap the Microphone Audio icon to enable it - this captures external audio, including the music from your speakers.
- Tap Start Recording. A countdown will appear, then your iPhone will begin recording the screen and any external audio.
- Open Apple Music and play the song or playlist you want to capture. Keep the volume at a comfortable level.
- When finished, return to Control Center and tap the blinking red recording indicator to stop.
- Open the Photos app to find your recording under Videos or Screen Recordings. You can play, trim, rename, or share it directly.
Part 5. Apple Music Alternatives Compatible with Screen Recording
Unlike Apple Music, Spotify doesn't use strict DRM protection. This allows you to record both audio and video while using the app.
- Open Settings and go to Control Center.
- Scroll to Screen Recording and tap the green + button to add it. Move it to the top of your included controls for easier access.
- Return to the Home Screen and swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
- Press and hold the Screen Recording button. Make sure Spotify is listed as an app that can use screen recording.
- Tap Start Recording. A short countdown will appear, then your iPhone will start capturing the screen and Spotify audio.
- Open Spotify and play the song or playlist you want to record.
- When finished, return to Control Center and tap the blinking red recording indicator to stop.
- Open the Photos app and locate your recording under Videos or Screen Recordings. From here, you can watch, trim, rename, or share the file.
Leave a Comment (0)