M4P DRM Removal: 5 Methods to Remove DRM from M4P Apple Song

Finding workable ways for M4P DRM removal? In most cases, users are either trying to unlock older protected iTunes purchases or find a workable way to remove protection from Apple Music files for more flexible playback.

That is why this guide does not focus only on old M4P files. Instead, it covers several practical ways to handle M4P DRM removal for both old iTunes purchases and Apple Music-related use cases. Some older workarounds, such as re-downloading matched tracks or burning songs to a disc and importing them back, may still help in limited situations, but they are no longer the most reliable option for most users today.

What Is M4P? Does M4P DRM Removal Still Work?

M4P is an audio format based on MPEG-4 AAC that was historically used for DRM-protected songs in Apple's ecosystem. It is most commonly associated with older iTunes Store purchases made before Apple switched store music to DRM-free iTunes Plus. Apple now states that songs offered in the iTunes Store are DRM-free, but previously purchased protected content may remain in some libraries.

This is also where many users get confused about Apple Music. Strictly speaking, Apple Music subscription downloads are not the same thing as old purchased M4P files, but they are still protected and limited to authorized devices and apps tied to your Apple account and subscription. If you are trying to make older purchased songs or Apple Music tracks playable more freely, M4P DRM removal is still possible, but the workable method depends on what kind of protected file you are dealing with.

Before moving on, it is worth noting that some older purchased tracks may be re-obtained in DRM-free form through matching or store availability, and disc-based workarounds have also been discussed for years. However, these options are conditional, outdated, or inconvenient for many users. If they do not apply to your situation, the methods below will give you more practical ways to proceed.

Method 1. Best M4P DRM Removal Tool for Protected M4P Files

Though Apple has set iTunes music free of DRM since 2009, many people still have some old iTunes music purchases in M4P format. If you want to listen to these M4P songs on an Android phone/tablet, Apple's iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iPod classic, and other portable MP3 players, then TuneFab iTunes Music Converter is your best M4P DRM remover.

With this outstanding DRM removal software, you can easily unprotect DRM from iTunes M4P songs. It can convert your M4P files to DRM-free and popular formats, like MP3, M4A, and AAC. Then you can play the M4P songs on any device you like.

Follow the tutorials below to remove DRM from M4P using TuneFab iTunes Music Converter:

Step 1. Run the TuneFab iTunes Music Converter

Run TuneFab iTunes Music Converter on your PC. The iTunes will be automatically opened along with this program. On the interface, you will see the entire iTunes library is loaded.

Step 2. Choose M4P Music You Want to Remove DRM from

Find the playlist that includes the M4P songs you want to convert on the left column. Then click it and select the songs one by one on the right panel. You can also make use of the search function to locate the protected M4P files.

Step 3. Choose Output Format

Go to "Output Settings" section, then you can choose an output format such as MP3, M4A, FLAC, and AC3 before removing DRM from M4P files. Better still, you can customize bitrate, sample rate, output folder, and name format as your requirement.

Step 4. Start M4P Conversion

Click the "Convert" button to convert Apple Music songs to lossless format with this TuneFab iTunes Music Converter.

With just a few simple clicks, TuneFab iTunes Music Converter can easily remove DRM from M4P and help you enjoy your M4P music on devices even those not authorized by Apple.

Method 2. Achieve M4P DRM Removal via iTunes Match

iTunes Match, launched in 2011, is an Apple subscription service designed to allow you to store songs in iCloud Music Library. It costs around $24.99 per year. Since songs downloaded from iTunes Match are DRM-free in .m4a. You can use it to remove DRM from .m4p. Nevertheless, it will lose fidelity from originally lossless/FLAC to lossy 256 kbps AAC. Here's how it works.

1. Open iTunes or Apple Music App on desktop, and scroll down to find "iTunes Match".

2. Go to "My Music" to check out your M4P files. If not, make sure the "iCloud Music Library" is enabled.

3. Click the "Cloud Download" button to download M4A with M4P DRM removal.

Method 3. Can Requiem Still Remove DRM from M4P and Apple Music?

Requiem 4.1 is an old free FairPlay DRM removal tool that was once used to decrypt protected iTunes music, videos, and ebooks. However, it is now considered a legacy method rather than a reliable choice for most users. Requiem mainly works with older FairPlay-protected iTunes purchases and does not support Apple Music subscription downloads, which use newer protection. It also tends to require outdated iTunes versions, so compatibility on modern systems can be limited.

If you still want to try Requiem for old M4P files, keep in mind that the setup may be unstable and may not work in many current Windows environments. In other words, this is better treated as a historical free option than a practical solution for Apple Music DRM removal today.

1. Download and install Requiem 4.1 on Windows 10.

2. Launch it and drag M4P files into the software.

3. When it is finished, you will get a prompt.

Method 4. Is M4P DRM Removal Online Free Still Possible?

FileZigZag is sometimes mentioned because it supports M4P format conversion in the browser. FileZigZag allows online conversion for up to 10 files per day, with a 50 MB limit per file. However, it is important to note that this kind of web-based service is mainly a format converter, not a dedicated DRM removal tool. So if your M4P files are still protected by Apple's FairPlay DRM, the conversion may fail, or the files may not work as expected after conversion.

In other words, online M4P conversion may only help in limited cases, especially when the files are unprotected or already partially compatible. For old protected iTunes purchases or Apple Music-related DRM removal, this is better treated as a lightweight workaround than a dependable solution. If you still want to test it, you can try the basic steps below.

1. Go to FileZigZag on your device.

2. Drag or upload your M4P files to the web.

3. Choose a DRM-free "Targe Format".

4. Click "Start Converting" and wait until it's done.

Bonus Tip: Remove DRM from M4P Apple Music Streaming Files

If your goal is not just to deal with old purchased M4P files, but also to handle DRM-protected Apple Music downloads more directly, a desktop converter can be a more practical option. Compared with legacy tools or limited online workarounds, TuneFab Apple Music Converter is designed for users who want to remove Apple Music restrictions and keep tracks available for more flexible offline playback.

Instead of relying on iTunes-based workflows, it works through a built-in Apple Music web player, which makes the whole process more straightforward for current Apple Music users. After conversion, the tracks can be saved in common formats like MP3, M4A, FLAC, or WAV, making them easier to store, transfer, and play on other devices outside the Apple Music app. It also supports batch conversion, preserves ID3 tags, and lets users choose output quality settings. It is considered to be one of the best DRM removal tools.

Step 1. Install and Launch TuneFab Apple Music Converter

Install this M4P DRM removal tool, then enter the built-in Apple Music web player and log in utilizing your Apple ID.

Step 2. Select M4P Apple Music Songs

When you sign in to the web player, you can search for the Apple Music songs or albums you like and add them to the conversion list now. Just drag the songs or albums to the conversion list on the right side.

Step 3. Select Output Format and Adjust SampleRate or Bitrate

After adding the songs, select a plain output format, including MP3, M4A, WAV, and FLAC on the conversion interface. Also, you can adjust the “SampleRate” and “Bitrate” to change the audio quality before removing DRM from M4P files.

Step 4. Unprotect Apple Music M4P Songs

After that, you are ready for the final step! Please tap the Convert All button to initiate the music removal in no time! Instantly, you can get Apple Music without DRM protection with only one click.

FAQs About M4P DRM Removal

Is It Legal to Remove M4P DRM?

It's legal to remove M4P DRM for the songs if you only enjoy them in your car or strip them for other personal use. But when it comes to commercial purposes, the law doesn't support it.

How to Convert DRM-protected M4P to MP3?

Of the 5 M4P DRM removal methods above, these 3 ways allows you to convert DRM-protected M4P to MP3, including TuneFab iTunes Music Converter, TuneFab Apple Music Converter, and FileZigZag. You may give one of them a try.

What to Do if the DRM Removal of M4P is Not Working?

Methods like iTunes Match, Requiem, and FileZigZag are reported to temporarily not be working somehow. Among the methods I've tried and tested, Method 1 and Method 2 are the solutions with the highest success rate and sound quality.

Can I Do M4P DRM Removal on iPhone and Android?

Not really in any practical, direct way. iPhone and Android devices let you play synced purchases or downloaded Apple Music tracks inside Apple's ecosystem, but DRM removal itself is generally handled on a Windows or Mac computer first, then the converted files are transferred back to your phone if needed. That is why most workable M4P or Apple Music DRM removal methods are still desktop-based rather than mobile-based.

Conclusion: Which M4P DRM Removal Method Makes Sense Today?

If you are dealing with old protected iTunes purchases, some legacy methods may still work in limited cases, but their compatibility and convenience are often far from ideal. For current Apple Music users, older tools and online workarounds are usually even less reliable, especially if you want a smoother process and more flexible offline playback afterward.

That is why a desktop converter, like TuneFab Apple Music Converter, is often the more practical choice today. It can handle Apple Music restrictions more directly and save tracks in common audio formats for easier storage, transfer, and playback across devices. If you want a simpler and more consistent way to deal with M4P or Apple Music DRM-related limitations, this type of solution is generally the one worth trying first.