How To Export MP3 From iTunes Music For Free (2 Ways)

Written By Robert Fabry Last updated: February 28, 2024

iTunes audio files use AAC format with an M4P extension. These file formats are unique and not compatible with most devices and media players. But iTunes has a tool that can export files in other formats like MP3. How to export MP3 from iTunes can be stubborn if you do not know the correct procedure.

Carefully read through part one of this article and you will understand how to export iTunes playlists to MP3. You will also get some key factors that you must consider before you export a file to MP3 via iTunes. You will also know how to export DRM-protected music from Apple Music to MP3 in part two.

Contents Guide Part 1. How to Export DRM-Free iTunes Music to MP3?Part 2. How to Export DRM-Protected Apple Music to MP3?Part 3. FAQsPart 4. Conclusion

Part 1. How to Export DRM-Free iTunes Music to MP3?

Music files on iTunes use the AAC format. This format is not compatible with non iOS devices and other media players. To play music on them, you should convert AAC to MP3, which is the most compatible audio format in the world. In 2007 is when apple updated the iTunes application to allow you to export music files to MP3. You are only allowed to export DRM-free files from iTunes. Below is how to export MP3 from iTunes.

Using iTunes on Windows/Mac (macOS Mojave or earlier)

Step 1. Open the latest version of iTunes on your computer. Navigate to the "Edit" icon and open it. Then click on "Preferences".

Step 2. Click on "General preferences" where you will navigate and click on "Import settings". And another window with a list of encoders will appear. Choose "MP3 Encoder" from the list.

iTunes MP3 Encoder

Step 3. Now go to iTunes music library and select songs that you wish to convert. Then navigate to "File" then click on "Convert" and "Create MP3 Version". Ensure you do not close the application when the conversion process is still on. It will a few minutes to convert all files. The size of the files will also influence the conversion speed.

Create iTunes MP3 Version

Using Apple Music on Mac (macOS Catalina or later)

Starting with the operating system macOS Catalina, Apple instead split iTunes into separate apps: Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. But the Apple Music app and Apple TV app read the contents of your iTunes library. All of your music is now in the Apple Music app if you subscribe to Apple Music.

How to export MP3 from iTunes on your new Mac computer? Open the Apple Music app, in the menu bar, choose Music > Preferences > Files > Import Settings. Then choose MP3 Encoder, and click OK. Select the songs in your library that you want to convert. Choose File > Convert, then Create MP3 Version. New song files appear in your library next to the original files.

Export iTunes Playlist To MP3

Not all purchased music files on iTunes have DRM protection. All songs purchased on iTunes before April 2009 have DRM protection. DRM-protected music files require professional converters to convert into MP3 formats. Don't worry, we will share the method in the next part!

Part 2. How to Export DRM-Protected Apple Music to MP3?

If you have a paid subscription to Apple Music, you can download songs and listen to them offline. Downloaded songs cannot play on unauthorized devices because Apple uses DRM technology called FairPlay to limit what devices users can use to listen to songs purchased or downloaded from Apple Music and iTunes. Though iTunes has a feature that allows you to export music files in MP3 format, this is impossible with DRM-protected music files.

How to export MP3 from iTunes and Apple Music DRM-protected files? The most recommended method is using a professional DRM-removal tool called 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 and iTunes protected files at 5X faster speed, and converting them to MP3, MP4, AAC, M4A, FLAC, WAV, or other common 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. For example, you can freely stream apple music on Roku or Alexa. Even if Apple Music songs are greyed out, you can restore them immediately. It is a great way of enjoying audiobooks offline for reading enthusiasts because it can also convert AAX audiobook files provided by Apple Music. Do you always struggle to identify the end audio files after conversion? If yes, switch to AMusicSoft software and it will keep all ID tags and metadata information from the original file. You can also customize the name of the output file. The program is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. Here is a quick guide on how to export MP3 from iTunes and Apple Music DRM-protected files.

Step 1. This application is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. Click the Free Download button below to install this app on your computer! Then open the application and it will automatically load your music library.

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Step 2. Open AMusicSoft software, enter the built-in web player, and sign in with your Apple ID. Then you can search for the Apple Music song you want to export. Simply by dragging them to the "+" button, the software will fetch data from Apple Music..

Choose the Music Tracks

Step 3. Click on the Output Format dropdown to select MP3 or other formats as your output format, as well as the folder according to your requirements.

Select the Output Format

Step 4. When you see all parameters are in line, navigate down the page and click on the "Convert" button.

Start Music Conversion

Wait for a while until the process is done. To save the results, access the Finished section and check for tracks available for download. Now your songs are DRM free which means that you can play DRM-free songs on any device you want.

Part 3. FAQs

The methods of how to export MP3 from iTunes are easy. But sometimes you may still encounter some problems with it. Following are the FAQs which should be helpful for you.

Q1: How to check if music is DRM-protected AAC file in iTunes?

How to check if an audio file is FairPlay DRM-protected in iTunes? 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.

Protected AAC Audio File

Related Topics: How To Convert Protected AAC To MP3 Free >>>>

Q2: Is it legal to remove DRM from iTunes or Apple Music?

It’s okay to remove DRM encryption as long as you don't circulate the songs commercially, sell, or share them publicly. All DRM-free music downloaded via the mentioned solutions in this article is only for personal use.

Q3: MP3 vs iTunes 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.

Part 4. Conclusion

The process of how to export MP3 from iTunes has been a challenge to many iTunes users because they try to export files with DRM protection. iTunes cannot export a file with encryption. And such files need a professional music converter. AMusicSoft Apple Music Converter is the excellent converter you will ever get. It will do a perfect job for you by removing DRM from Apple Music and iTunes songs. The software is also small enough and will save a good amount of space on your hard drive.

The application can handle more than ten files at the same time. It can also convert both small and big files and it will not reduce the conversion speed. You should note that removing or attempting to remove DRM protection is illegal but you can do it for personal use only. It is against the copyright laws to resell the converted music files.

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