How To Convert Apple Music To MP3 For Free [4 Ways]

Written By Robert Fabry Last updated: February 18, 2024

By listening to music, you can ease the stress and problems you are currently thinking about. From the vast music library of Apple Music, you can find the music online you like in different generic. You can also download songs for offline listening. However, songs on Apple Music are encoded in AAC audio format protected by DRM, which limits users to play them on authorized devices only. It means that you cannot play Apple Music on unauthorized devices.

To play Apple Music songs on other media players, you should convert them to a more flexible audio format like MP3. How do I convert Apple Music to MP3 for free? In this post, let us learn how to convert your favorite Apple Music songs to MP3 for free using the best applications or online tools.

Contents Guide Method 1: Convert DRM-Protected Music to MP3 Free Using Apple Music ConverterMethod 2: Convert Purchased Music to MP3 Using iTunes/Apple MusicMethod 3: Record Apple Music to MP3 Using Audacity RecorderMethod 4: Download Apple Music to MP3 Using Online Music DownloaderFAQs About Converting Apple Music to MP3To Wrap It All

Method 1: Convert DRM-Protected Music to MP3 Free Using Apple Music Converter

How to convert DRM-protected Apple Music and iTunes protected files to MP3? There are many ways for you to convert Apple Music to MP3. In this part, we have found the best tool for you. To convert Apple Music songs to MP3 for free, the most recommended one is the AMusicSoft Apple Music Converter.

AMusicSoft Apple Music Converter is a versatile DRM removal software and music downloader, which is capable of removing DRM from Apple Music audio files at 5X faster speed and converting them to MP3, MP4, AAC, M4A, FLAC, WAV, or other mainstream format files with lossless audio quality. With these DRM-free songs, you can back up them on any device and play with any media player you want. In this way, you won’t have the need to access the application ever or connect your device to the internet in order to listen to Apple Music offline.

It is a great way of enjoying audiobooks offline for reading enthusiasts because it can also convert AAX audiobook files provided by Apple Music. AMusicSoft software will also keep all the music metadata and ID3 tags for the downloads, including the title, artists, Track ID, and album artwork after the conversion is finished. With this information, you can easily manage your collection of music downloads. To convert Apple Music to MP3 for free by AMusicSoft, just follow the step-by-step guide enumerated below.

Step 1. You need to first download, install and launch AMusicSoft Apple Music Converter on your Windows PC or Mac.

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Step 2. When you launch the program, open and log into the Apple Music web player on the welcome page to access your full music library. After signing in to the web player, you can add any Apple Music song to download by dragging them to the "+" button. You can add more than one as the tool can process a bunch at one time.

Choose the Music Tracks

Step 3. The tool has available output formats wherein you can choose from. From those, you can select MP3 (in this case) or any other depending on the need. You can set it under the “Output Format” section. You can also adjust some settings depending on your preference.

Select the Output Format

Step 4. In order to start the process of conversion, you must hit the “Convert” button and wait for only some minutes to have the files ready for offline streaming or sharing. That is it for AMusicSoft Apple Music Converter! Simple, easy, and fast, right?

Convert the Music

Method 2: Convert Purchased Music to MP3 Using iTunes/Apple Music

The second way to convert Apple Music to MP3 free is using the Apple Music and iTunes app. These two apps allow you to convert song files between compressed and uncompressed formats. For example, you might want to export some uncompressed music files as compressed files (such as MP3) to save disk space. But you can only convert DRM-free music files, which is bought after 2009. Learn the instructions below on converting Apple Music to MP3 using iTunes and the Music app.

Convert Apple Music Songs to MP3 Using iTunes

Step 1. The initial thing that needs to be done is to open your iTunes application on Windows or an older Mac. In case you are using a Windows computer, you can hit the "Edit" button first to see this "Preference" option. If you are a Mac user, hit "iTunes" on top and choose the "Preference" option.

Step 2. On the General tab, click on the Import Setting button, and choose MP3 Encoder for the Import Using option. Once done, tap the OK button located at the bottom part.

Step 3. Lastly, you need to choose songs from your library. Hit the “File” button followed by the “Create New Version” tab. From the list that you will be seeing on your screen, you must choose, “Create MP3 Version”.

Convert Apple Music Using iTunes

Convert Apple Music Songs to MP3 Using Apple Music

If you are using a Mac computer in the Catalina version or later, you can open the Music app to convert Apple Music to MP3 for free. To do so, you need to complete the three major steps mentioned below.

Step 1. Open and launch your Apple Music application. In the top bar that is shown in the upper part of the screen, you need to choose the “Music” option followed by hitting the “Preferences” button.

Step 2. Among the options shown, select the MP3 Encoder option. Once done, hit the OK button.

Using Apple Music MP3 Encoder

Step 3. After completing the steps above, you can now head to the conversion of bought songs to MP3 format. Firstly, choose the “File” button, then the “Convert” button followed by “Convert MP3 Version”. Choose the folder and select the Apple Music songs to be converted. Upon finishing the conversion process, the converted files will be saved into Apple Music’s library.

Convert MP3 Version Using Apple Music

Method 3: Record Apple Music to MP3 Using Audacity Recorder

You can also convert Apple Music to MP3 using audio recording tools. Here we’ll introduce Audacity which enables you to record and save MP3 from Apple Music. Audacity is a beloved open-source audio recording and editing software. With this recorder, you can capture audio directly from the computer's soundcard or external sources, including Apple Music tracks being played on the system. Here is how to use Audacity to get MP3 audio from Apple Music.

Step 1. Download and install Audacity on your computer. Launch it.

Step 2. In Audacity, navigate to Edit, select "Preferences > Devices, and select the appropriate recording device (usually your computer's built-in microphone or stereo mix).

Step 3. Play the songs you want to record to MP3 from the Apple Music app. In Audacity, click on the Record button. On the track finishes playing, press the Stop button.

Step 4. Edit the recorded audio if necessary, applying effects or making adjustments. Then click File > Export > Export as MP3, now you can download Apple Music to MP3.

Using Audacity Record Apple Music

However, this way is better for downloading a small number of songs. Because as a recorder, it's more time-consuming than a music converter. So, if you have multiple songs to convert, AMusicSoft Apple Music Converter is your better choice. With it, you can download MP3s from Apple Music with only one click and even within seconds. Plus, you should also close the sound notification for other desktop apps first, otherwise, the Audacity app will record the noise while recording music.

Method 4: Download Apple Music to MP3 Using Online Music Downloader

If you want to download your favorite songs from Apple Music to MP3 without installing any software, then the online free Apple Music Downloader might be a top pick. For instance, Apple Music MP3 Downloader is another web-based tool to convert Apple Music to MP3 free online. Without needing to install any software, you can get Apple Music songs in MP3 format. How to download MP3 songs? Without further ado, let’s get started!

Step 1. Open the Apple Music web player or app on your computer. Find the songs you want to download as MP3 files. Copy the link of the songs by clicking the three dots next to the song name.

Step 2. Then paste the copied URL into the search bar on Apple Music MP3 Downloader and select your preferred download option. Finally, click Get Download > Download MP3 to confirm the downloading.

Using Online Music Downloader

The conversion speed may be a little slow, you need to be patient. Also, you should make sure that the WiFi used is stable and strong because it is a web-based tool. MP3 is the only supported output format of this downloader. If you need more audio formats, you can use another program, like AMusicSoft Apple Music Converter, as an alternative. Besides, it cannot guarantee the security when browsing the website.

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FAQs About Converting Apple Music to MP3

Q1: Why can't I convert Apple Music to MP3 directly?

Apple developed its own implementation of AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) at a bitrate of 256kbit/s. These AAC audio files downloaded from iTunes and Apple Music are protected by FairPlay (a digital rights management technology). FairPlay is built into the MP4 multimedia file format as an encrypted AAC audio layer, allowing only authorized devices to play the content. It means that you cannot use and edit protected AAC audio files on other media players. So, you can't convert them to MP3s directly.

Q2: How to check if music is protected AAC file?

How to check if an audio file is DRM-protected in iTunes or Apple Music? Just right-click on the song you wish to check, and click “song info” > “File”. If the song is DRM-protected, you will see the “Protected AAC audio file” from the “File” section.

Q3: MP3 vs AAC, which is the better audio format?

AAC and MP3 are both a lossy file format. Whereas MP3 audio can be played on just about any computer or media player, AAC files are associated with Apple operating systems. AAC files have a higher quality than MP3. However, AAC versus MP3 sound capabilities don't vary considerably. To enjoy more high-quality sound, you can try Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC).

You may be interested: Apple Lossless VS AAC: Which One Is Better

To Wrap It All

We are glad to share some ideas that would help you ease the difficulty you are feeling when it comes to the conversion of Apple Music songs to MP3 format. Still, the most reliable is to use a professional converter such as this AMusicSoft Apple Music Converter. If you have tried using other tools, you can share those in the comment section below.

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