Apple Music contains a very huge music collection that many users prefer. The only drawback may be the encoding format of its music files. Apple Music uses the M4P format, which is not accessible outside the platform and can only be played on authorized devices. Therefore, many people want to know how to convert Apple Music to MP3.
Yes, converting Apple Music to MP3 can make Apple Music content more compatible and playable. MP3 is one of the most readily available output formats on any device. To save you time, here we will share 7 ways to make Apple Music convert to MP3 free, online, etc.
Part 1. How to Download Apple Music to MP3 Free Online
This section will teach you about the 2 top Apple Music to MP3 converters online. You can use them from your browser and there is no need to pay anything. Without further ado, let's get started.
No 1. Apple Music Downloader
Apple Music Downloader serves as a free Apple Music to MP3 Converter online, allowing you to download songs, playlists, and albums from Apple Music to local files and convert Apple Music links to MP3. Whether you are an Amazon Music Premium Member or not, you can get unprotected Apple Music MP3 downloads and keep them forever on your device. What you need is to copy the Apple Music content's URL link.
However, it is a pity that it has only one output format - MP3 and a low downloading speed. Also, it is not completely safe to use.
How to Download from Apple Music to MP3 Online via Apple Music Downloader:
Step 1. On Apple Music, tap on the "three dots" icon >"Share">"Copy Link" to the right of each track to copy the URL link.
Step 2. Navigate to the website of Apple Music to MP3 Converter free and online.
Step 3. Paste the URL link to the top search bar of the Apple Music to MP3 online converter.
Step 4. Tap on the right "Start" button. Then the track will appear with a download button. Please hit the "Get Download" button.
No 2. Applemusicmp3
Applemusicmp3, also called Aaplmusicdownloader is another Apple Music to MP3 downloader free and online. Like the above Apple Music Downloader, it also can download M4P Apple Music songs to MP3 without Apple Music subscriptions. With an easy-to-use interface, users can get Apple Music MP3 downloads effortlessly.
But, MP3 is the only supported output format of this downloader. Besides, it cannot guarantee the security when browsing the website.
How to Convert Apple Music URL to MP3 Online:
Step 1. Head over to aaplmusicdownloader.com.
Step 2. Copy and paste the URL link of Apple Music songs into the downloader's search box. The track will be recognized automatically.
Step 3. Hit the red button coded with "Generate Download Link".
Step 4. Once generated, please choose 320 kbps or other bitrates you want from the "Select Audio Quality" section.
Step 5. If the download process doesn't kick off, please click on the "Click here if download not started" tab. Then you can convert Apple Music to MP3 free online.
Part 2. How to Convert Unprotected Apple Music to MP3
If you have purchased music files from Apple Music and those files are unprotected, then I recommend using iTunes or the Apple Music app to convert them. This is very convenient because you don't need any additional software. But one disadvantage is that this method will reduce the music quality.
No 1. Apple Music
If you are using a Mac computer, then you can use the Apple Music app to make Apple Music convert to MP3.
How to Convert Unprotected Apple Music to MP3 via Apple Music App:
Step 1. Launch the Apple Music application on your Mac computer, then please click "Edit" > "Preferences" in the menu bar.
Step 2. Click the "File" tab and then click "Import Settings". When you click the "General" next to "Import Using". Then choose "MP3 Encoder".
Step 3. Click "OK" and then hold down the "Shift key" or the "Option key" on your keyboard.
Step 4. Select the "File" > "Convert" > "Create MP3 Version". In turn, you will have songs in the original format and converted songs in your library.
See Also: Apple Music Preview App for Windows 11
No 2. iTunes
There is also an official way for Windows computer users. Please purchase the Apple Music tunes from iTunes in advance, and then you can convert unprotected Apple Music songs to MP3 with iTunes on your Windows PC.
How to Convert Unprotected Apple Music to MP3 via iTunes:
Step 1. Open the iTunes for Windows app on your PC, and then please go to the menu bar to select the "Edit" > "Preferences" option.
Step 2. In the new window, please choose the "General" > "Import Settings..." > "MP3 Encoder" section and click "OK" to confirm it.
Step 3. Select purchased Apple Music songs in your iTunes library, and click the "File" > "Convert" > "Create MP3 Version" button. It will download music from Apple Music to MP3 automatically.
Part 3. How to Record Apple Music to MP3
In this section, we will show you the 2 best Apple Music rippers. They are both professional tools. You can use them to make Apple Music convert to MP3 with ease.
No 1. AudFree Audio Capture
AudFree Audio Capture is a recommended professional audio recording tool designed to record and edit any sound played on your PC. You can use it to record Apple Music, background audio, in-game sounds, and more. In addition, it can save the recorded tracks in MP3, WAV, FLAC, and other popular formats. What's more, it is also able to cut and split unwanted audio parts and merge the clips into Apple Music MP3 files.
How to Record and Convert Apple Music to MP3 via AudFree Audio Capture:
Step 1. Download and launch AudFree Audio Capture on your computer.
Step 2. Click on the bottom-right "Format" tab to choose the MP3 output format.
Step 3. Then hit the Apple Music or iTunes icon from the capture's program list. If you can't find the app, please touch on "Add Programs" to add the Apple Music app or iTunes app to the capture.
Step 4. Open Apple Music/iTunes and start playing any tune. The Apple Music Playlist to MP3 Converter will automatically capture and download songs from Apple Music to MP3.
Step 5. Touch the "Save" button to store the Apple Music MP3 files in the destination folder.
No 2. Audacity
Audacity is a free and open-source audio recorder for all streaming music sources. This free recording software also contains a lot of advanced features to download MP3 files from Apple Music in an easy and free way.
What is even more surprising is that Audacity is not only compatible with Windows and Mac, but also with Linux operating systems. This means that it allows you to convert M4P to MP3 free on Linux devices, which is very convenient indeed. Let's see how this free Apple Music to MP3 converter works.
How to Convert Apple Music to MP3 for Free via Audacity:
Step 1. Install and fire up Audacity on your computer. Hit on the "Edit" > "Preferences" > "Audio Host Box" > "Windows WASAPI" button.
Step 2. Please set your computer's output device as the output sound card. Please hit "Recording" from the left panel under "Audacity Preferences" to turn off the "Software playthrough of input" option.
Step 3. Click the "Record" button in Audacity to launch the recording process. At the same time, please play Apple Music that you'd like to save as MP3.
Step 4. It will automatically record and convert Apple Music playlist to MP3 for free. To finish the recording process, please press the "Stop" icon, and then the recorded Apple Music songs will be saved to your computer as MP3.
Part 4. How to Convert Protected Apple Music to MP3
As many people know, it is able to convert iTunes Library to MP3 directly using the iTunes app. So, is it possible to apply the same method to download MP3 from Apple Music with iTunes?
Unfortunately, the answer may disappoint you. Because Apple Music files are protected, while iTunes-purchased songs are not. Thus, in this part, we have found the best tool for you. You can use it to convert protected Apple Music songs to MP3 with simple steps without buying tracks from iTunes.
4.1 Best Apple Music to MP3 Converter - AudFree Apple Music Converter
To convert Apple Music to MP3 with ease, the best professional tool you can't miss is AudFree Apple Music Converter. It can bypass the copyright protection from Apple Music files but also convert Apple Music songs to MP3 and more general formats. It supports other popular audio formats such as WAV, FLAC, AAC, M4A, and M4B.
What's more, the AudFree Apple Music Converter can work at 30x speed. It is a super-fast download speed, far beyond other converters. Even so, this Apple Music converter can actually retain the original lossless sound quality. All the ID3 tag information will also be retained in Apple Music, such as year, artist, and so on.
You can even customize the output quality for Apple Music tunes. It empowers you to change the bit rate, speed, volume, and so forth. With it, you are allowed to listen to Apple Music on devices that are not compatible with Apple Music. In short, you can make the most of your Apple Music subscription and play Apple Music anytime and anywhere.
AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Remove protection from Apple Music losslessly
- Convert Apple Music to MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, etc.
- Play Apple Music on MP3 players or any other device
- Work at up to 30X fast speed with all ID3 tags preserved
4.2 How to Convert Apple Music to MP3 in 3 Steps
Please first install the AudFree Apple Music Converter via the Download button above. Then you can refer to the following detailed tutorial to make Apple Music convert to MP3 step by step.
- Step 1Import Downloaded Apple Music to AudFree Auditior
- Before getting started, you are required to download songs from Apple Music with your existing Apple Music account on the computer. Then please tap the "Load iTunes Library" button (the first Add button) from the bottom-left corner. All your downloaded Apple Music will be loaded into AudFree Auditior. You can start to select and add Apple Music to this best Apple Music converter.
- Step 2Define Apple Music Output Format as MP3
- Once all your Apple Music files are loaded well, you can define the output format as MP3. Please click on the "Audio" icon to open the settings window to do that. Meanwhile, you have the opportunity to define other output parameters, including audio codec, channel, sample rate, and bit rate.
- Step 3Convert Apple Music to MP3 Losslessly
- Now, please click the "Convert" button to activate the conversion process. This best Apple Music MP3 Converter will run at 30X speed to make Apple Music download to MP3. After the conversion, you can locate Apple Music MP3 files in the output folder. You can transfer these Apple Music playlists to any MP3 player such as SanDisk MP3 Player for offline playback.
Part 5. FAQs about Converting Apple Music to MP3
Q1: Why Do We Need to Convert Apple Music to MP3?
A: As we all know, Apple Music streams are protected by DRM. This means downloaded Apple Music can't be transferred to non-licensed devices for playback. Also, Apple Music users can never keep Apple Music tracks after unsubscribing. So, to remove DRM from Apple Music songs, it's perfect to transfer Apple Music songs to MP3.
There is no doubt that MP3 is one of the most popular audio genres. Once you have successfully converted Apple Music from M4P to MP3, you can enjoy Apple Music without any restrictions.
Q2: Can You Convert Apple Music to MP3?
A: You can use the Apple Music application on Mac or iTunes on Windows to convert unprotected song files. As for those protected Apple Music M4P files, you need to use a specialized Apple Music MP3 converter. Here you can't miss the professional AudFree Apple Music Converter. With it, you can get lossless audio quality and always play and enjoy Apple Music on multiple devices.
Q3: What Features of Apple Music to MP3 Converter Should I Focus on?
A: It is quite obvious that there are various options on the market that can help you download MP3 from Apple Music. When picking these converters, you should pay attention not only to their basic conversion capabilities but also to some additional features. This includes conversion speed, audio output quality, and ease of use. It would be nice to have some special features such as CD burning, and versatility in format conversion or file uploading.
Q4: How Can I Download MP3 from Apple Music for Free?
A: You need a free Apple Music downloader. Fortunately, this article lists some of these free tools for your reference. Just follow the guidelines provided by each of these tools to successfully carry out the conversion process. Try them one by one to find out which tool best suits your needs.
Q5: What are the Differences between Apple Music M4P and MP3?
A: M4P stands for one of the audio file extensions. Encoded with the advanced audio codec (AAC), M4P is a lossy compression and represents protected MP4G 4 (files). Audio files from Apple Music are encoded in M4P format. It is protected by FairPlay DRM technology that prevents Apple Music from being played on any devices or media players.
MP3 is a standard technology and format used to compress a sound sequence into a very small file. It is also considered one of the most popular and common types of audio files. MP3 provides high sound quality and boasts high compatibility with almost all devices and music players.
Q6: Apple Music Won't Import MP3. How to Fix It?
A: Please check if your files have a suitable format type. Just follow the step-by-step instruction as follows:
Step 1. On QuickTime of Mac, choose 'File' and 'Open File'. Then choose one track you want to add to Apple Music.
Step 2. Play the track and touch on 'Window' > 'Show Mobie Inspector'.
Step 3. Under the 'Audio Format' section, if it shows ".mp3 and Audio Format shows AAC", it indicates the file has the wrong format type.
Step 4. Add the correct extension to rename the file, for instance, convert MP3 to M4A. Then add the song to Apple Music again.
If it is of no avail, please contact the Apple Customer Service.
Q7: Is There a Free Apple Music Converter?
A: Yes. The above-mentioned Apple Music Downloader online, Audacity, and the Applemusicmp3 Downloader can meet your needs to download and play Apple Music songs offline for free.
Part 6. In Conclusion
All songs from Apple Music are streaming content and they are protected. You are only allowed to listen to them for the duration of your subscription and on the Apple Music application. By converting Apple Music to MP3, you can keep Apple Music free forever and play Apple Music tracks on any of your devices without any restrictions. Therefore, a good converter is essential.
If you just want to simply convert Apple music to MP3, then you can choose some online free tools. But if you have requirements for music quality, music tags, conversion speed, etc., AudFree Audio Converter is the right choice for you.
James Blair
Staff Editor
