Apple Clips makes it easy to turn photos and short video clips into fun videos with effects, text, stickers, and background music. If you already use Apple Music, however, you may wonder whether you can use one of your favorite songs as the soundtrack for a Clips project.
The answer is not always simple. Clips can use songs from your music library and can also import compatible audio files from other apps or a Mac. However, an Apple Music song available for offline listening is not automatically the same thing as a transferable local audio file.
In this guide, we'll explain whether Apple Music works directly with Clips, how to add compatible songs using Apple's supported methods, and what you can do if the particular Apple Music track you want isn't available as a usable local file.
Part 1. Can You Add Apple Music to Clips Directly?
The short answer is yes, but with major restrictions.
Whether you can add an Apple Music song directly to Clips depends on how you obtained the track:
- Apple Music Streaming Tracks (M4P File Format): Songs downloaded through an active Apple Music subscription are protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management). Due to these licensing restrictions, iOS does not allow DRM-protected tracks to be exported or used as background music in video editing apps such as Clips and iMovie.
- Purchased iTunes Tracks (M4A File Format): Songs purchased from the iTunes Store or imported from your computer that are DRM-free can be added to Clips directly, provided they are stored on your iPhone or iPad and use a supported audio format.
See also: How to Add Apple Music to iMovie
So, if you're relying solely on Apple Music streaming, you won't be able to select those protected songs directly in Clips. Fortunately, there is a practical workaround that can help you prepare Apple Music tracks for your video projects. Keep reading to learn how to do it.
Part 2. How to Add Unprotected Apple Music to Apple Clips (Official Method)
If you have purchased iTunes songs or compatible, DRM-free audio files stored locally on your device, adding them to a Clips project is quick and straightforward.
Clips supports M4A, AIFF, AIF, WAV, and WAVE audio files. For the best results, Apple recommends using an uncompressed or lossless audio format when possible.
Step 1. Open the Apple Music app, locate your purchased track, and tap the 'Download' button to ensure the file is stored directly on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2. Launch the Clips app and open an existing project or create a new video.
Step 3. Tap the 'Music' icon (🎵) in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 4. Choose 'My Music', then navigate through your library by Artist, Album, or Song.
Step 5. Tap the song to preview it, then tap Done in the top-right corner to attach it to your timeline.
Part 3. How to Use Any Apple Music Track in Clips (Workaround)
If the specific Apple Music track you want isn't available to Clips through My Music or as a compatible local file, you can prepare the audio separately and then import the resulting file into Clips.
One practical option is AudFree Apple Music Converter, which can convert Apple Music tracks into common audio formats such as WAV, M4A, MP3, and FLAC for use as local audio files. The goal isn't to make Clips access your Apple Music subscription directly. Instead, you prepare a compatible local audio file that Clips can recognize and import.
AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Convert Apple Music songs to WAV, M4A, AIFF, and others for Clips
- Save Apple Music tracks as local audio files for offline playback
- Add compatible Apple Music audio to Clips and other devices
- Retain ID3 tags and other metadata for easier music management
How to Prepare Apple Music Tracks and Use Them in Clips
- Step 1. Select Apple Music Track fpr Apple Music
- Launch AudFree Apple Music Converter on your computer and log in. Click the '+ ♫' button to add the Apple Music tracks you want to use in your Clips project. You can select a single song or multiple tracks at once. For a short video, you usually only need to prepare the song or section you plan to use.
- Step 2. Set Apple Music Output Parameters for Apple Clips
- Click the 'AudFree Apple Music Converter' icon and select 'Preferences' to open the output settings. Choose a format supported by Clips, such as WAV or M4A, and adjust parameters such as the sample rate and bitrate if necessary.
WAV is a good choice when you want an uncompressed audio file. M4A can be more convenient when you want good audio quality with a smaller file size.
See also: How to Convert Apple Music to M4A
- Step 3. Prepare and Convert the Local Audio Files for Clips
- Open the Converting window and click Convert. AudFree will process the selected Apple Music tracks and save them as local audio files. According to the software's stated capabilities, conversion can reach speeds of up to 17×. When the process is complete, click Converted to locate the output files.
- You can then use the resulting files for Apple Music offline playback and import them into compatible apps such as Clips.
- Step 4. Transfer the Audio to Your iPhone or iPad
- Transfer the converted audio file to your iPhone or iPad. If you're using a Mac, AirDrop is one of the simplest options. You can also use another file-sharing or cloud-storage service that works with your device. Make sure the file remains in a format supported by Clips.
- Step 5. Import the Converted Apple Music Track to Clips
- Once the audio file is available on your iPhone or iPad, open it through the app or file location where you saved it and use the 'Share' button. If Clips appears as a supported destination, select it and follow the prompts to add the audio to your project.
- If your particular iOS version or file-sharing workflow doesn't offer a direct Share to Clips option, first save the audio to a location that Clips can access, then add it through the app's available music or media-import options.
- Step 6. Adjust the Apple Music to Match Your Clips Video
- After adding the track, preview your project and adjust the music to match the video. If Clips provides waveform or start-position controls for the selected soundtrack, use them to choose the section you want to play. For example, you can start with a more energetic part of a song for a short highlight video or select a quieter section for a montage.
Only use music that you have the necessary rights or permission to use, particularly if you plan to publish or monetize your video. An Apple Music subscription gives you access to the service's music catalog for personal listening, but it does not automatically grant broad redistribution or commercial-use rights.
With this workaround, you can prepare compatible local audio files instead of relying solely on the music options available directly in Clips. This gives you more flexibility when creating short videos while keeping the editing process straightforward.
Looking to use music from platforms other than Apple Music in your Clips projects? AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder lets you easily build a high-quality local music library. With support for 10+ major streaming services, ultra-fast conversion, and complete ID3 tag preservation, it's an excellent all-in-one solution.
Part 4. FAQs About Apple Music and Clips
Why are my Apple Music songs not showing up in Clips?
If the song comes from an active Apple Music subscription, it may be protected by DRM and unavailable for direct use in Clips. Purchased, DRM-free songs from iTunes Store and compatible local audio files are more likely to appear and can be imported normally.
Will Clips automatically adjust the music length to my video?
Clips can adjust how the soundtrack plays within your project, but it doesn't necessarily create a perfect edit of the song to match your video's exact length. You may need to adjust the song's starting point or select a suitable section to fit your video.
Can I add music to Clips without Apple Music app?
Yes. Once you've downloaded M4A tracks from iTunes or converted compatible audio files using AudFree Apple Music Converter, simply follow the steps in Part 2 to add them to your Apple Clips project on iOS.
Can I post a Clips video with Apple Music to TikTok or Instagram?
You can post the finished video if you have the necessary rights to use the music. However, an Apple Music subscription does not automatically give you permission to redistribute its songs in videos. For public or commercial posts on TikTok or Instagram, it's safer to use music you own, have permission to use, or select music from the platform's licensed music library.
Conclusion
Adding Apple Music to Clips depends largely on whether the song is available as an unprotected, compatible local audio file. Apple Music tracks downloaded through a subscription are DRM-protected and generally can't be selected directly in Clips, while purchased DRM-free songs and supported local files can be added through Clips' built-in My Music option.
If your favorite Apple Music track isn't available directly, a practical workaround is to use AudFree Apple Music Converter to prepare the track as a common audio file such as WAV or M4A, transfer it to your iPhone or iPad, and then import it into Clips. This gives you more flexibility when creating your videos, while you should always make sure you have the necessary rights to use any music in content you publish or monetize.
Staff Editor
