Q: Can I use Apple Music as background music for my iMovie projects? I have a paid Apple Music subscription and can download songs for offline listening, yet I still can't figure out how to import them into iMovie. Is there a way to resolve this?
Officially, iMovie does not support the direct use of Apple Music tracks due to Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions, not to mention adding Apple Music to iMovie. But where there is a will, there is a way. If you are looking for a workaround, we have identified an effective method to make your music accessible for iMovie on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Please read more to get Apple Music DRM-protected free on iMovie!
Part 1. Can You Add Apple Music to iMovie Directly?
The short answer is no. You cannot add Apple Music tracks to iMovie directly. While both apps are part of the Apple ecosystem, they do not share a licensing agreement for video editing. Furthermore, Apple Music tracks are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). Unless you purchase individual tracks or albums from the iTunes Store, you are essentially "renting" access to the music through your monthly subscription. Consequently, iMovie is programmed to filter out these protected files to prevent unauthorized use.
Purchasing every song individually from iTunes can quickly become expensive if you create videos frequently. For a more flexible and cost-effective solution, you may consider using a tool like AudFree Apple Music Converter (detailed in Part 2). This allows you to convert your library into multiple high-quality formats for a one-time fee, providing permanent access to your music for all your creative projects.
| 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 M4A |
| AudFree Apple Music Converter Output Format | Lossless, MP3, AIFF, WAV, M4A, FLAC, M4B |
Part 2. How to Download Apple Music for iMovie [Local Files]
As mentioned above, you can't add DRM-protected songs to iMovie directly. If you intend to do that, you should remove DRM from Apple Music and convert it to iMovie-supported audio formats. This way, you can use DRM-free songs from Apple Music in iMovie with ease.
To help you, we have tested 10 professional Apple Music DRM removal tools. After comparing, the winner may be AudFree Apple Music Converter. It is designed to get rid of DRM technology for Apple Music with lossless audio quality preserved. Moreover, this professional smart software can batch convert Apple Music to iMovie-compatible audio files, such as MP3, WAV, AIFF, M4A, etc.
Additionally, you can personalize Apple Music parameters to improve its streaming quality in iMovie editing as needed, 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. With top-notch features, it will no longer be difficult to get non-DRM-protected songs for iMovie from Apple Music. You have the freedom to add Apple Music song to iMovie and any other video editor.
AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Remove DRM from Apple Music fast
- Convert DRM-protected Apple Music to MP3, WAV, M4A, AIFF, 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 17X 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 Windows PC computer. Then here's a user guide to download Apple Music songs as local files and prepare to use them in iMovie.
- Step 1. Load DRM Apple Music Files to AudFree Auditior
- Open the AudFree program you just installed on your computer and log in. Next, browse Apple Music M4P or ALAC-encoded tracks in your music library. You can directly select and add the Apple Music song you like for iMovie to the Converting window by clicking '+'.
- Step 2. Set Apple Music Output Format for iMovie
- You can simply click on the top-right Menu > Preferences to launch the 'Preferences' window. Then hit the Conversion tab, and you will see all the available format options. It is feasible to select an iMovie-enabled format, like MP3, WAV, AIFF, etc. In this window, you can also personalize other output audio parameters. For example, change Apple Music's bit rate, sample rate, audio channel, etc. to customize the output quality of Apple Music songs for iMovie.
- Step 3. Convert Apple Music to iMovie Losslessly
- When all settings are ready, please simply press the 'Convert' button in the bottom-right corner of the Converting 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 'Converted' button symbolized with a red spot in the top menu bar, you can find those DRM-free Apple Music songs. Afterward, get ready to upload Apple Music songs to iMovie video editor as BGM.
- Video Guide. How to Convert Apple Music for iMovie
- You can also follow this video tutorial to convert Apple Music songs for iMovie step by step.
Looking to source music beyond Apple Music? AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder offers a seamless, all-in-one solution for iMovie creators. It preserves 100% lossless audio quality from almost all major streaming platforms, ensuring your video's sound remains crisp and professional. It's an incredibly smart, budget-friendly investment for any editor who needs instant access to millions of tracks. Grab the free trial now and see how easy it is to take your iMovie soundtracks to the next level!
Part 3. How to Add Music from 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 from Apple Music and use it on Mac.
Method 1. How to Import Apple Music into iMovie via iMovie Media Browser (No DRM Protection)
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 toolbar at the top of the window and select 'Music' in the library list.
Step 3. Browse through the converted Apple Music files from the converted folder on your computer. Then 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 non-DRM-protected Apple Music 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.
Method 2. How to Use Apple Music on iMovie via Finder (DRM-Free)
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. Then choose 'Import Media' from the menu to open the Finder window. Here you can select the DRM-free Apple Music file you want to add to your iMovie project.
Step 3. Drag the Apple Music file into the timeline under the video clip of the iMovie video. Later, you can edit and adjust the video effects. At last, you can export and share your videos with others.
Part 4. How to Use Apple Music in iMovie on iPhone/iPad
To use 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 before iMovie editing. After that, you can freely connect Apple Music to iMovie and use your Apple Music as background music without DRM protection on your iOS devices.
Step 1. Launch the iMovie app on your iOS device. Then choose the 'Movie' > 'Create Movie' sections from the bottom to open a project.
Step 2. Tap '+' and then touch the 'Add Media' > 'Audio' > 'My Music' buttons in sequence to locate the converted Apple Music tracks.
Step 3. Tap the '+' icon next to each item to add your favorite Apple Music to videos in iMovie.
Part 5. FAQs about iMovie Apple Music Integration
How to Fix Apple Music Not Showing up in iMovie?
To use Apple Music tracks in iMovie, they must be DRM-free. You can only import songs that were either purchased individually from the iTunes Store or converted into a compatible format using a professional tool like AudFree Apple Music Converter. Once the DRM protection is removed, iMovie will recognize these files as standard local media, showing on the iMovie library.
How to Make Apple Music Available Offline for iMovie?
Songs downloaded directly via an Apple Music subscription are encoded in protected M4P or ALAC formats, which iMovie cannot index. iMovie requires unprotected formats (DRM-free) such as MP3, WAV, M4A, AIFF, or AAC. To ensure offline availability, you must first convert your Apple Music downloads into one of these supported formats using AudFree Apple Music Converter before attempting to import them into your project.
What Apple Music Songs Can You Use in iMovie?
The purchased Apple Music songs can be used in iMovie as BGM. That's because the Apple Music tracks you buy from iTunes or Apple's Store are unprotected M4A files, which are compatible with iMovie. Please follow the steps below to make it.
Step 1. Open iTunes or Finder and log in with your Apple ID. Then you will be able to access the songs you purchased in the library.
Step 2. Start the iMovie program on your device and create a new project.
Step 3. Choose 'Audio & Video' from the top menu bar, click 'Music' > 'Refresh Playlists', and you will see the purchased iTunes songs. Then pick up the one you want to add to iMovie.
Does iMovie Support Apple Music Hi-Res Lossless Files Synced from My Computer?
While iMovie can technically import ALAC or FLAC lossless files, it will usually downsample them to 48kHz during the final export. For the best performance and to avoid lag during editing, it is recommended to use 48kHz WAV or AIFF files via AudFree Auditior.
Why Do Apple Music MP3 Files Sound Distorted After Exporting from iMovie?
Distortion often occurs due to bitrate mismatches or heavy compression during the rendering process. If your MP3 has a variable bitrate (VBR), iMovie may struggle to process it correctly. Standardizing your audio to a constant bitrate (CBR) or using the AAC (M4A) format typically resolves this.
Why are My Playlists Visible in the Music App but Not in the iMovie Media Browser?
This is usually a permission or indexing error. Ensure that iMovie has permission to access your 'Media & Apple Music' library in your System Privacy settings. Additionally, iMovie will hide any playlist that contains even one DRM-protected subscription track.
Why is My Computer-Organized Apple Music (iTunes) Playlist Missing from iMovie on My iPhone?
iMovie for iOS can only "see" songs that are physically downloaded to your iPhone's storage. If you organized the playlist on your computer, you must open the Music app on your iPhone and tap the Download (cloud icon) for that playlist. iMovie cannot stream tracks directly from iCloud.
Part 6. In Conclusion
You're now equipped with everything you need to bring your iMovie projects to life using Apple Music! By leveraging AudFree Apple Music Converter to bypass DRM restrictions, you've unlocked a world of high-quality soundtracks for all your devices. Whether you're editing on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, those 'protected' Apple Music tracks are now yours to command. Stop letting compatibility hold you back - start creating something amazing today!
James Blair
Staff Editor
