How to Convert Protected iTunes Songs to MP3
iTunes is a popular media player and library management application developed by Apple. Over the years, iTunes has become the go-to platform for purchasing and downloading music. However, the songs purchased from iTunes are often protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM), which restricts their usage to Apple devices and applications only. This can be a problem if you want to play your iTunes songs on non-Apple devices or use them with other media players. Fortunately, there are ways to convert protected iTunes songs to MP3, a widely supported audio format. In this article, we will guide you through the process of converting your protected iTunes songs to MP3.
Step 1: Install and Launch iTunes
Ensure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. If not, visit the Apple website and download the latest version. Once installed, launch iTunes.
Step 2: Authorize Your Computer
To proceed with the conversion process, you need to authorize your computer to play the protected iTunes songs. To do this, click on the “Account” tab in iTunes, then select “Authorize This Computer”. Enter your Apple ID and password, and click “Authorize”.
Step 3: Create a Playlist
Next, create a new playlist in iTunes. To do this, click on the “File” tab, then select “New” followed by “Playlist”. Name your playlist accordingly.
Step 4: Add Protected iTunes Songs to the Playlist
Drag and drop the protected iTunes songs you wish to convert into the newly created playlist. Alternatively, you can right-click on the desired songs, select “Add to Playlist”, and choose the playlist you just created.
Step 5: Burn Playlist to Disc
Right-click on the playlist and select “Burn Playlist to Disc”. Make sure to choose the “Audio CD” option. This step is necessary to remove the protection from the iTunes songs.
Step 6: Import Burned Disc to iTunes
Once the burning process is complete, eject the burned disc and re-insert it into your computer. iTunes will automatically recognize the disc and import the songs as regular audio files.
Step 7: Change Import Settings
Go to the iTunes preferences by clicking on the “Edit” tab, then selecting “Preferences”. Under the “General” tab, click on the “Import Settings” button. In the “Import Using” drop-down menu, select “MP3 Encoder”. Adjust the audio quality settings if desired, then click “OK”.
Step 8: Convert Songs to MP3
Now, go back to your iTunes library and select the imported songs. Right-click on the selected songs and choose “Create MP3 Version”. iTunes will create a duplicate copy of each song in MP3 format.
Step 9: Locate MP3 Files
To locate the converted MP3 files, right-click on one of the songs in the iTunes library and select “Show in Windows Explorer” (or “Finder” for Mac users). This will open the folder where the MP3 files are stored.
Common Questions and Answers
1. Can I convert protected iTunes songs to MP3 without burning a disc?
Unfortunately, burning a disc is currently the most effective method to remove DRM protection from iTunes songs.
2. Will converting protected iTunes songs to MP3 affect the audio quality?
The audio quality may be slightly affected due to the conversion process, but it is generally not noticeable.
3. Can I convert my entire iTunes library to MP3 at once?
Yes, you can select multiple songs in iTunes and convert them to MP3 simultaneously.
4. Can I convert protected iTunes songs to other audio formats besides MP3?
Yes, iTunes allows you to convert songs to various audio formats such as AAC, AIFF, and WAV.
5. Can I convert protected iTunes songs on a Mac computer?
Yes, the process is similar on Mac computers. Simply follow the steps mentioned above.
6. Is it legal to convert protected iTunes songs to MP3?
The legality of converting protected iTunes songs to MP3 depends on your country’s copyright laws. Make sure to check your local regulations.
7. Can I convert iTunes songs purchased on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, as long as you have authorized your computer with the same Apple ID, you can convert any iTunes songs.
8. Will converting protected iTunes songs to MP3 remove them from my iTunes library?
No, iTunes will create a duplicate MP3 version of the songs while keeping the original protected versions.
9. Can I convert iTunes songs that I downloaded using Apple Music subscription?
No, songs downloaded through Apple Music subscription are protected and cannot be converted to MP3.
10. Can I convert protected iTunes songs on a Windows computer?
Yes, the process is the same regardless of the operating system.
11. Can I convert iTunes songs purchased from the iTunes Store before 2009?
Yes, DRM protection was removed from iTunes songs purchased before 2009. You can convert them to MP3 without burning a disc.
Converting protected iTunes songs to MP3 allows you to enjoy your music collection on various devices and media players. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily convert your iTunes songs and free them from DRM restrictions. Remember to always respect copyright laws and use this method only for personal use or with properly licensed music.