Apple Music offers millions of songs that users can enjoy for streaming, but the downside is that the platform doesn't allow you to directly store or back up these songs in your personal cloud storage, such as Dropbox. That being said, some users may prefer to have their music saved permanently in lossless quality for easy access and backup purposes. Luckily, there are solutions to convert and transfer Apple Music to Dropbox for a permanent lossless backup. In this article, we will explore the best ways to do this, and answer common questions along the way.
Part 1. How to Download Apple Music for Dropbox via Professional Tool [Lossless]
To begin with, before you can add Apple Music to Dropbox, you'll first need to download and convert your Apple Music files into a format that's compatible with Dropbox. Apple Music's DRM protection prevents you from storing the music as simple files. Therefore, a conversion tool is necessary to strip away the DRM and allow you to download your Apple Music library to Dropbox.
Unlike streaming tracks, iTunes Store purchases are DRM-free. Whether you bought them recently or during the transition in 2009, these files can be easily uploaded to any cloud provider or portable player, including Dropbox for sure.
But so many conversion tools are available online, which should you choose? How to judge the quality of a professional? To preserve the original lossless quality of your Apple Music library, you must use a professional-grade conversion tool equipped with the following features:
✅ DRM Removal: The ability to bypass encryption so your music is truly yours to store, share, and play offline forever.
✅ Lossless Quality Preservation: Ensuring a bit-perfect transition that maintains the 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res quality found in Apple's premium tier.
✅ Batch Conversion: The efficiency to process entire playlists or your full library simultaneously, saving you hours of manual work.
✅ Multi-Format Support: Flexibility to output into industry-standard formats like FLAC, WAV, and AIFF for maximum compatibility with Dropbox and DJ software.
✅ ID3 Tag Retention: Automatically preserving essential metadata - including album art, artist, BPM, and year - to keep your cloud folders perfectly organized.
With all the features above, one of the best tools that perfectly matches is AudFree Apple Music Converter. With the functionality above, it can download your entire Apple Music library at 17x faster speed in batches. With lossless audio quality and original metadata preserved, you can organize your songs locally efficiently. Plus, it is super secure to use with no privacy leaks and account risk, 100% safe to use.
| Audio Types | Audio Formats |
| Purchased Apple Music from iTunes | Unprotected AAC |
| Streaming Apple Music | Protected M4P |
| Audio Supported by Dropbox (DocSend) | MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIF, AIFF, M4A, OGG, OGA, and WMA |
| AudFree Apple Music Converter Output Formats | MP3, FLAC, M4A, AIFF, WAV, M4B, and Lossless |
See also: How to Convert Apple Music to FLAC
Steps to Download and Convert Apple Music for Dropbox with AudFree Auditior
To ensure you're getting the best value and performance, please follow the steps. Also, don't forget to install the program to your Mac or Windows before conversion.
- Step 1. Load Apple Music to AudFree Conversion List
- Once the software is installed, launch the application and log in to your account. You can then browse your personal library or explore the latest 'Hot Hits' to find the tracks you want. Simply click the '+' icon to add your selected music to the conversion list.
- Step 2. Set Output Format that Dropbox Supports
- Go to the 'menu > Preferences', and click 'Conversion' for Windows; or go to 'AudFree Apple Music Converter' on the top menu bar > Preferences > Conversion for Mac. Here, you can choose any one of the lossless formats like FLAC or WAV that will preserve the quality. Also, you can choose some detailed parameters like bit rate, sample rate, audio channel, and so on.
- Step 3. Remove DRM from Apple Music for Dropbox
- On the conversion tab, click 'Convert' button to start the conversion process and get the Apple Music files for Dropbox. Wait for the conversion to be done, you can upload these Apple Music files to your Dropbox.
If you want to expand your library beyond Apple Music to include platforms like Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube Music, consider using a versatile tool like AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder. It offers the ultimate freedom to consolidate your music in one place with lossless quality for true offline playback. Integrating these lossless files with your Dropbox account ensures your entire collection is always backed up and accessible.
Part 2. How to Add Apple Music/iTunes to Dropbox
Ready to move your Apple Music to Dropbox? Now that you have your Apple Music tracks in a lossless format, it's time to add them to Dropbox. Dropbox offers 2 GB of free storage, with options to upgrade if needed. Here's how you can upload the music from Apple Music or iTunes (DRM-free) to Dropbox:
Step 1. Locate the local files you've downloaded from Apple Music through the 'Converted' tab.
Step 2. Open the Dropbox app or go to the Dropbox website and sign in with your account.
For better organization, create a folder called 'Apple Music Backup' or something similar to store your music.
Step 3. In the personal space, you can click the 'Upload files' button to browse your music folder on your computer and select the target folder containing Apple Music files to upload. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the music files from your computer to Dropbox instead. Dropbox will begin uploading your files automatically.
Step 4. Depending on the size of your music collection and your internet speed, the upload might take a while. Ensure that all files are uploaded properly.
Once uploaded, your Apple Music collection will be stored securely in Dropbox, available for download and access from any device connected to your Dropbox account.
Part 3. Bonus Tip: Add Dropbox Music to Apple Music/iTunes
After importing Apple Music to Dropbox, some of you may want to use Dropbox flexibly with music services, for example, Dropbox. One of the most convenient features of cloud storage services like Dropbox is that it allows you to access your music from multiple devices. If you want to access your converted Apple Music tracks within Apple Music or iTunes on multiple devices via Dropbox, here are some methods that you can try.
Syncing Dropbox Music to Apple Music/iTunes:
Before proceeding, please ensure that Dropbox is installed on your computer or mobile device. If not, download it from the app store or their website.
Method 1. Direct Import from Local Folders (Mac & Windows)
This is the most reliable way to add high-fidelity files (like FLAC or WAV converted via AudFree Auditior) into your library.
Step 1. On your computer, open the Apple Music app (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).
Step 2. Go to File > Import (or File > Add Folder to Library).
Step 3. Navigate to your local Dropbox folder and select the music folder or specific tracks you want to sync.
Step 4. Click Open. Apple Music or iTunes will now index these files.
If you have an Apple Music subscription, add the Dropbox files to your Mac/PC library. With "Sync Library" turned on, these tracks will automatically upload to iCloud and appear on your iPhone or other Apple devices in high quality.
Method 2. The "Auto-Add" Hack (Windows & Legacy Mac)
If you want new downloads to appear in your library automatically, try these steps below:
Step 1. Locate your "Automatically Add to iTunes" (or Music) folder on your computer.
Step 2. Create a Shortcut (Windows) or Alias (Mac) of your Dropbox music folder.
Step 3. Place that shortcut/alias inside the "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder.
As you save new converted files to Dropbox, Apple Music will see them and move them into its own internal media organization.
But please ensure your Dropbox folder is set to "Available Offline". If the files are "Online Only" (placeholders), Apple Music will not be able to play or sync them, resulting in "File Not Found" errors.
Method 3. iPhone & iPad (No Computer Required)
Since the iOS Apple Music app doesn't allow direct "importing" of local files, you need some workarounds to make it.
Step 1. Open the Files app on your iOS device, like an iPhone.
Step 2. Navigate to Dropbox and select your local Apple Music song.
Step 3. Tap Share > Open in... to play it in a compatible media player, like Apple Music.
Remember that importing files usually creates a duplicate in your Apple Music Media folder. To save space, go to Settings > Files and uncheck "Copy files to Music Media folder when adding to library" so Apple Music simply "points" to the files already in your Dropbox.
Part 4. FAQs About Apple Music and Dropbox
Is it legal to store converted Apple Music files on Dropbox?
The legality of storing converted Apple Music files on Dropbox depends on your jurisdiction. Generally, converting Apple Music to DRM-free formats for personal use may fall under fair use. However, redistribution or public sharing of these files may violate Apple's terms of service. Always ensure that you're using the files for personal backup only, and not for commercial purposes.
Can I sync my Apple Music library directly to Dropbox for backup?
Unfortunately, Apple Music doesn't offer a direct method to sync your library to Dropbox. You would need to convert your Apple Music files to a format that Dropbox can support (via AudFree Apple Music Converter) and then upload them manually or through an automation tool, like Zapier.
Is it possible to play Apple Music files stored in Dropbox on an iPhone or Android?
Yes, you can play Apple Music files stored on Dropbox through its mobile app. However, because Apple Music files are encrypted with DRM, they will not be playable unless converted to a supported format. Once converted to MP3, FLAC, or another format, you can easily stream the files via the Dropbox app. Also, please focus on the audio formats that Dropbox supports, like WAV.
Conclusion
In conclusion, adding Apple Music to Dropbox for a permanent lossless backup is entirely possible with the right tools and steps. By converting Apple Music tracks to a DRM-free format using professional software like AudFree Apple Music Converter, you can ensure that your collection remains safe and accessible across all your devices. Dropbox acts as a reliable cloud storage solution to keep your music accessible for the long term.
Whether you need to store your favorite albums or create a backup for your entire music library, this method offers a solution to ensure your Apple Music collection is preserved without quality loss. Make sure to follow all legal requirements when converting and storing music and enjoy your music anytime, anywhere.
James Blair
Staff Editor
