Many users still have protected AAC audio files in their old iTunes libraries, especially songs purchased from the iTunes Store years ago. Because these files are protected by Apple's FairPlay DRM, they cannot be freely played or converted like normal audio files. As a result, users often find that their music cannot be transferred to devices such as MP3 players or other non-Apple music players.
If you are looking for a way to convert protected AAC to MP3, things can be confusing. Most online AAC to MP3 converters only support DRM-free audio and cannot process protected files at all. In this guide, we will explain what protected AAC files are and introduce several practical methods to convert protected AAC audio files to MP3.
- What Is a Protected AAC Audio File in iTunes?
- Method 1. Convert Protected Apple Music & AAC to MP3 🔥
- Method 2. Convert AAC to MP3 in iTunes (DRM-Free Only)
- Method 3. Burn Protected AAC to CD and Re-Import as MP3
- Which Method Is Best for Converting Protected AAC to MP3?
- FAQs About Converting Protected Apple Music to MP3
What Is a Protected AAC Audio File in iTunes?
A protected AAC audio file is an audio track that uses Apple's FairPlay digital rights management (DRM) protection. This protection prevents the file from being freely copied, converted, or played on unauthorized devices.
In general, protected AAC files may come from two sources in the Apple ecosystem:
- Older iTunes purchases – Songs purchased from the iTunes Store before 2009 were encoded as Protected AAC audio files and protected by Apple.
- Apple Music streaming downloads – Tracks downloaded from the Apple Music subscription service are also DRM-protected and can only be played within authorized Apple devices or apps.
Because of this DRM restriction, protected AAC files usually cannot be transferred to MP3 players, Android phones, or other non-Apple devices, which is why many users look for ways to convert protected AAC to MP3.
iTunes Music vs Apple Music: File Types
Apple's music formats have changed over time. The table below shows the key differences.
| Source | File Type | DRM Protection | How to Convert to MP3 |
| iTunes purchases before 2009 | Protected AAC audio file | Yes | Use a DRM-removal converter |
| iTunes purchases after 2009 | AAC audio file (iTunes Plus) | No | Convert directly in iTunes |
| Apple Music streaming downloads | Apple Music AAC file | Yes | Remove DRM before converting |
Since April 2009, Apple has removed DRM protection from newly purchased iTunes music and introduced iTunes Plus, a DRM-free AAC format with higher audio quality. However, songs downloaded from Apple Music streaming are still protected by FairPlay DRM.
How to Identify Protected AAC Files in iTunes
If you are not sure whether your music files are protected, you can check the file type in iTunes:
1. Open iTunes and go to your music library.
2. Right-click the song you want to check.
3. Select Song Info and open the File tab.
4. Look for the Kind field to see the file type (for example, Protected AAC audio file).
Once you identify the type of AAC file in your library, you can choose the appropriate method below to convert protected AAC audio files to MP3.
Method 1. Convert Protected Apple Music & AAC to MP3 (Recommended)
Many protected AAC files today come from Apple Music streaming downloads. Although these songs can be downloaded inside the Apple Music app for offline listening, they are still protected by Apple and cannot be opened by other music players or converted using ordinary AAC to MP3 converters.
To convert these protected Apple Music tracks to MP3, a dedicated music converter is required. TuneFab Apple Music Converter is designed for this purpose. It integrates the Apple Music web player directly into the software, allowing you to browse your library, open playlists, and convert songs to MP3 without needing to install iTunes.
With this converter, you can easily select the songs you want and export Apple Music as MP3s or other common formats that can be played on MP3 players, Android phones, car stereos, or other non-Apple devices.
100% Secure
100% Secure
Key Features of TuneFab Apple Music Converter:
- Convert Apple Music songs, albums, and playlists to DRM-free audio files
- Export Apple Music to MP3, M4A, WAV, or FLAC formats
- Support batch conversion with speeds up to 35× faster
- Preserve original audio quality (up to 320 kbps)
- Keep ID3 tags and metadata such as title, artist, album, and cover art
Step 1. Download and install TuneFab Apple Music Converter on your computer. Then, launch it and select Apple Music.
Step 2. Access the built-in Apple Music web player and search for the Apple Music songs, playlists, or albums. You can also find any of your Apple Music files in your Apple Music library. Simply click "Add to Convert" to add them to the conversion list.
Step 3. Set the output format to MP3 on the conversion list. You can also change the bitrate and sample rate if you like.
Step 4. Now you just simply click on the blue "Convert Now" button in the upper right corner and wait for the converter to finish converting all the protected Apple Music AAC files to MP3.
That's it. With TuneFab Apple Music Converter, you can easily convert protected AAC files to MP3. Therefore, you don't have to worry about the playback problem of protected AAC files. as MP3 files are compatible with portable devices such as iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, MP3 players, Zune player, and various different non-Apple devices.
What If Your Protected AAC Files Come from Old iTunes Purchases?
Some users still have protected AAC songs purchased from the iTunes Store before 2009. These files were also protected by FairPlay DRM and may appear in your library as Protected AAC audio files.
In certain cases, you may be able to re-download the purchased tracks from the iTunes Store or Apple Music library, which could provide a DRM-free AAC version (depending on availability). If you cannot find them or the downloaded files remain protected, another option is to use TuneFab iTunes Music Converter, a legacy tool designed to process protected iTunes purchases within the iTunes environment.
Method 2. Convert AAC to MP3 in iTunes (DRM-Free Only)
If your audio files are standard AAC files without DRM protection, you can convert them to MP3 directly using iTunes (or the Apple Music app on Mac). Apple provides a built-in encoder that allows users to create MP3 versions of songs in their library.
However, this method only works for DRM-free AAC files, such as songs purchased from the iTunes Store after 2009 (also known as iTunes Plus). If the file is labeled as a Protected AAC audio file, iTunes will not allow you to convert it because of Apple's FairPlay DRM protection.
Note: There is no guarantee that all protected AAC songs can be upgraded successfully. Generally, the same album or song must also still be available in the iTunes Store; you won't be able to convert or upgrade these protected AAC or M4P files into a DRM-free version.
1. Open iTunes (or the Apple Music app on Mac).
2. Go to "Preferences" and select the "General" tab.
3. Click "Import Settings" and choose "MP3 Encoder" from the "Import Using" menu. Click "OK" to save the settings.
4. Go back to your music library and select the AAC songs you want to convert. From the menu bar, choose "File > Convert > Create MP3 Version".
5. iTunes will generate a new MP3 file in your music library next to the original AAC file.
If you find that the Create MP3 Version option is unavailable, the track is likely protected by DRM. In that case, you will need to use a dedicated converter as introduced in Method 1.
Tips: Apple also offers a subscription service called iTunes Match, which scans your music library and may replace certain older DRM-protected purchases with DRM-free versions from Apple's catalog. If a match is successful, you can re-download the track as a DRM-free AAC file and then convert it to MP3 in iTunes. However, this method requires a paid subscription and does not work for all songs.
Method 3. Burn Protected AAC to CD and Re-Import as MP3
Another workaround for converting protected AAC files is to burn the songs to an audio CD and then re-import the CD as MP3 files. This process works because the DRM protection does not apply to standard audio CDs.
However, this method has several limitations. You need a blank CD and a computer with a CD drive, and the process can be slow if you have many songs to convert. In addition, burning and re-ripping audio may cause some loss of quality, so this method is usually considered a last resort.
Note: Songs downloaded from the Apple Music streaming service generally cannot be burned to an audio CD directly because Apple protects them.
Step 1. Launch iTunes and go to the "Music" category.
Step 2. Create a new playlist in iTunes and drag your AAC songs to it.
Step 3. Insert your CD to the CD drive that connects to your computer.
Step 4. Right-click on the playlist and burn it to disc.
Step 5. After the burning process finishes, insert the CD again and import the tracks back to iTunes using the MP3 encoder.
Once the import is complete, iTunes will generate MP3 versions of the songs in your library.
Which Method is Best for Converting Protected AAC to MP3?
Each method introduced above works in different scenarios. The best option depends on whether your files are DRM-protected Apple Music tracks, older iTunes purchases, or DRM-free AAC files.
The table below summarizes the key differences between the available methods so you can quickly choose the most suitable solution.
| Method | Batch Conversion | iTunes Required | Audio Quality | Success Rate | Best For |
| TuneFab Apple Music Converter | ✅ | ❌ | Up to 320 kbps | High | Converting protected Apple Music or AAC files for playback on any device |
| Convert AAC to MP3 in iTunes | ❌ | ✅ | Original | Only works for DRM-free AAC | Users who only need to convert unprotected AAC files |
| Burn AAC to CD and Re-Import | ❌ | ✅ | Slight quality loss possible | Moderate | Converting older protected iTunes purchases without additional software |
In most cases, using a dedicated Apple Music converter is the simplest and most reliable way to convert protected AAC files to MP3. Built-in options in iTunes are limited and usually only work with DRM-free AAC files, while the CD burning workaround can be time-consuming and inconvenient for large music libraries.
FAQs About Converting Protected Apple Music to MP3
Why can't protected AAC files be converted to other formats in iTunes?
Protected AAC files are locked by Apple, which restricts how the audio can be used. Because of this protection, iTunes does not allow these files to be converted to other formats, such as MP3. Only DRM-free AAC files, like iTunes purchases made after 2009, can be converted directly within iTunes.
What is a protected AAC audio file?
A protected AAC audio file is a music file that uses Apple's FairPlay digital rights management (DRM) technology. These files were commonly used for songs purchased from the iTunes Store before 2009 and are still used for Apple Music streaming downloads. The DRM protection limits copying, sharing, and format conversion unless the protection is removed.
Can Apple Music songs be converted to MP3?
Apple Music songs are downloaded in a DRM-protected AAC format, which means they cannot be converted to MP3 using normal audio converters or iTunes. To convert Apple Music tracks to MP3, the DRM protection must first be removed using a dedicated converter.
Is it possible to convert protected AAC to MP3?
Yes, but not with standard audio converters. Because protected AAC files contain DRM encryption, they require a specialized converter capable of processing DRM-protected audio. Some workaround methods, such as burning songs to a CD and re-importing them, may also work, but they are slower and less convenient.
Conclusion
Protected AAC audio files are restricted by Apple, which prevents them from being freely converted or played on non-Apple devices. As discussed in this guide, there are several possible ways to convert protected AAC files to MP3, depending on whether the file is DRM-protected or not.
If your songs are DRM-free AAC files, you can convert them directly using iTunes. For older protected iTunes purchases, the CD burning workaround may help in some cases. However, if you want a faster and more reliable solution for converting protected AAC or Apple Music tracks, using TuneFab Apple Music Converter is usually the simplest option. Once converted to MP3, your music files can be freely transferred to MP3 players, Android devices, car stereos, or any other media player without compatibility limits.
100% Secure
100% Secure
