How to Add Music to iMovie on Mac/iPhone from Apple Music

By James Blair Updated on 2023-08-28 / Update for Apple Music Tips

Q: I have subscribed to an Apple Music paid plan to download Apple Music songs so that I can use them as background music for my iMovie projects. But I couldn't figure out how to add Apple Music to iMovie which I have downloaded to my computer already. Is there any simple tutorial to take me away from this awkward situation?

Can we use Apple Music in iMovie for editing? The official answer may disappoint you. But where there is a will, there is a way. I have found effective solutions to make Apple Music available for iMovie on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Read on to learn more about Apple Music and iMovie now.

how to add apple music to imovie

Part 1. Can You Add Apple Music to iMovie Directly

We cannot add music to iMovie from Apple Music directly. Wonder why can't you use Apple Music in iMovie? In fact, Apple Music is a streaming service and its songs are protected by Digital Rights Management(DRM). Then iMovie Video Editor fails to recognize DRM-protected songs in Apple Music.

However, you can opt to buy and download Apple Music songs from iTunes or Apple's store. The purchased Apple Music tracks are stored in a common AAC format and are not protected by DRM technology. They can be imported into an iMovie project for editing without hassle. But, when you have lots of Apple Music to purchase from the iTunes store, obviously, it's a big expense compared to the subscription fee of $10.99 per month.

iMovie Supported Audio Format MP3, AAC, AIFF, WAV, M4A, BWF, CAF, MP4 and RF64
Apple Music Format DRM-protected M4P and ALAC
Purchased iTunes Music Format DRM-free AAC

Part 2. How to Get Music into iMovie from Apple Music

As mentioned above, you can't add DRM-protected songs to iMovie directly. If you intend to get songs from Apple Music to iMovie, what you should do is remove DRM from Apple Music. This way, you can use DRM-free songs from Apple Music in iMovie with ease.

After comparing more than 10 professional Apple Music DRM removal tools, the winner may be AudFree Apple Music Converter. It is designed to get rid of DRM technology for Apple Music, iTunes content, and Audible books with lossless audio quality preserved. Moreover, this all-in-one smart software can convert Apple music to iMovie-compatible audio files, such as MP3, WAV, AAC, M4A, etc.

With top-notch features, it will no longer be difficult to get non-DRM-protected songs on iMovie from Apple Music. You have the freedom to add Apple Music to iMovie and any other video editor. Furthermore, you can personalize Apple Music parameters to improve its streaming quality, such as bit rate, sample rate, channels, etc. The ID3 tags and metadata information of Apple Music songs are also kept intact for creating satisfying iMovie videos.

AudFree Apple Music Converter

audfree apple music converter
  • Remove DRM from Apple Music, Audible books, iTunes content, etc.
  • Convert DRM-protected Apple Music to MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, etc. supported by iMovie
  • Add Apple Music to iMovie, InShot, GarageBand and more video editors.
  • Keep original Apple Music audio quality and full ID3 tags at 30X faster speed

How to Download Apple Music for iMovie without DRM-Protected

Please install AudFree Apple Music Converter (also called AudFree Auditior) on your Mac or PC computer. Then here's a user guide to convert Apple Music songs to MP3 or other formats and get Apple Music to work on iMovie. Please download Apple Music songs with your existing Apple Music account from iTunes or Apple Music in advance.

Step 1Load DRM Apple Music Files to AudFree Auditior
upload drm apple music files to audfree auditior
There are two ways to add DRM-protected Apple Music. The first method is to click the first 'Load iTunes Library' button in the bottom right corner of this Apple Music to iMovie converter. Then all downloaded Apple Music M4P or ALAC-encoded tracks will be displayed in your iTunes library. You can directly select the Apple Music song you like for iMovie. The other way is to drag and drop the protected Apple Music files to the main interface of this converter. And by touching the 'Edit' icon, you can change Apple Music's ID3 tags.
Step 2Set Apple Music Output Format for iMovie
configure apple music output format for imovie
You can simply click on the lower-right first 'Format' icon to launch the 'Format Setting' window and you will see all the available format options. It is feasible to select an iMovie-enabled format, like MP3, WAV, AAC, etc. In this window, you can also personalize other output audio parameters. For example, change Apple Music's bit rate, sample rate, audio channel, codec, etc. to customize the output quality of Apple Music songs.
Step 3Convert Apple Music to iMovie Losslessly
convert apple music for imovie
When all settings are ready, please simply press the second 'Convert' button from the bottom right corner of the main window. Then this one of the best Apple Music downloaders for iMovie will unlock Apple Music DRM restriction. It will convert added Apple Music streams to the target audio files that can be recognized by iMovie. Through the third 'Converted' button symbolized with a red spot in the lower right corner, you can find those DRM-free Apple Music songs. Afterward, get ready to upload Apple Music to the iMovie video editor as BGM.

Part 3. How to Add Apple Music to iMovie on Mac

Now you have converted DRM-protected Apple Music songs to iMovie-supported files. It's time to see how to add music to iMovie on Mac from Apple Music.

How to Import Non-DRM-Protected Apple Music to iMovie via iMovie Media Browser

add music from apple music to imovie mac via imovie media browser

Step 1. Launch the iMovie video editor on your Mac computer and create a video project.

Step 2. Click on the 'Audio' section from the iMovie's toolbar at the top of the window and select 'Music' in the library list.

imovie audio tab on mac

Step 3. Browse through the converted Apple Music files from the converted folder and select the songs you want to add to the iMovie video. You can preview the added Apple Music songs by clicking the 'Play' button next to each track or the waveform on the media browser.

Step 4. Drag and drop this Apple Music DRM-free file into the timeline under the video clip. You can adjust the position and cut or delete any unwanted audio clips. Afterward, you can still edit your iMovie project to your requirements.

drag and drop apple music to imovie on mac

How to Add Music to iMovie from Apple Music without DRM Protection via Finder

Step 1. Open iMovie on your computer and create a new project.

Step 2. Proceed to click the 'File' option at the top of your Mac's screen. Choose 'Import Media' from the menu to open the Finder window and select the unprotected Apple Music file you want to add to your iMovie project.

upload apple music to imovie via finder on mac

Step 3. Drag the Apple Music file into the timeline under the video clip of the iMovie video, and later edit and adjust the video effects.

Part 4. How to Use Apple Music in iMovie on iPhone/iPad

As for using DRM-free songs in iMovie from Apple Music for iPhone and iPad, you can refer to the detailed instructions below. Please ensure that you have synced your unprotected Apple Music files to iTunes or iCloud Drive. So that you can freely connect Apple Music to iMovie and use your Apple Music as background music without DRM protection on iPhone or iPad.

Step 1. Launch the iMovie app on your iOS device. Then choose the 'Movie' > 'Creat Movie' sections from the bottom to open a project.

create new project in imovie on iphone for using apple music

Step 2. Tap '+' and then touch on the 'Add Media' > 'Audio' > 'My Music' buttons in sequence to locate the converted Apple Music tracks.

put apple music to imovie on iphone

Step 3. Tap the '+' icon next to each item to add your favorite Apple Music to videos in iMovie.

Part 5. More FAQs about iMovie Apple Music Integration

Q1: Apple Music not showing up in iMovie. How to fix it?

A: Make sure that the Apple Music songs you want to use in iMovie are DRM-free. To make it, you can put Apple Music songs that are purchased from Apple's store or converted by AudFree Apple Music Converter.


Q2: How to make Apple Music available offline for iMovie?

A: Due to Apple Music downloaded songs are encoded with special M4P and ALAC formats while iMovie-supports unprotected MP3, WAV, M4A, AIFF, and AAC. Thus, you need to convert those Apple Music downloads to iMovie supported audio formats in advance for offline availability. AudFree Apple Music Converter can help you out amid such a situation.

Q3: What Apple Music songs can you use in iMovie?

A: The purchased Apple Music songs can be used in iMovie as BGM. Because the Apple Music tracks you buy from iTunes or Apple's store are unprotected AAC files, which is compatible with iMovie.

Part 6. In Conclusion

Now, you have learned the detailed tutorials on how to add Apple Music to iMovie. With AudFree Apple Music Converter, you can achieve to remove the DRM lock on Apple Music songs. So that you can use Apple Music in iMovie and other video editing apps without any problems. Try using your talents to create amazing iMovie videos with Apple Music now!


James Blair

James Blair

Staff Editor

(Click to rate this post)
James Blair is an experienced writer and music lover. Reviews and tips on using popular music, like Apple Music, can be found in his articles.
audio

AudFree Auditior

30X convert Apple Music, iTunes podcasts, audiobooks and Audible books. to MP3, etc.