This article shows you how to convert a DRM-protected digital audio file (from English "Digital Rights Management") to a regular MP3 file. To convert files protected and distributed by Apple (in M4P format) it is possible to use iTunes directly, while to convert audio files purchased through Windows Media Player to MP3 format, it is necessary to use the latter program, which however is no longer supported after release. Windows 10. If you have not installed Windows Media Player on your Windows system, you will not be able to convert protected audio files to normal MP3 files.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Convert Digital Songs Purchased on iTunes
Step 1. Make sure you are subscribed to the iTunes Match service
This is a paid service provided by Apple that allows you to store all your music in digital format on iCloud and to re-download any deleted song for free. The cost of the service is € 9.99 per month and there is also the possibility of subscribing to an annual subscription.
- Launch iTunes;
- Access the card Store of the program;
- Select the link iTunes Match displayed on the right side of the window;
- Press the blue button Subscribe;
- Provide your Apple ID login credentials;
- If prompted, enter information about the billing and payment method you have chosen to use;
- As a last step, press the button Subscribe.
Step 2. Launch iTunes
If you haven't already used it to subscribe to the iTunes Match service, open it now.
Step 3. Make sure you are signed in to your Apple ID
Select the item Account located in the upper left corner of the iTunes window (if you are using the Windows version) or on the screen (if you are using a Mac), then look at the account name displayed in the drop-down menu that appears. If no information is shown, choose the option Sign in … from the drop-down menu and log in using your Apple ID login credentials.
Step 4. Find the song or album you want to convert
In order to convert a DRM protected digital audio file into a normal MP3, you must first delete the item in question (ie the protected file) from the iTunes media library.
It is good to remember that the file to be converted must necessarily be a piece of music in digital format purchased on the iTunes store
Step 5. Delete the current song or album
Select the file or album name to highlight it, then press the Delete key (on Windows systems) or access the menu Edit and choose the option Move to the trash (on Mac). This will remove the DRM protected copy of the audio file from the iTunes media library.
Step 6. Select the Store item (if you are using the Windows version) or iTunes Store (on Mac).
It is one of the tabs displayed at the top of the iTunes window.
Step 7. Select the Purchases link
It is located on the right side of the program window.
Step 8. Locate the song or album you just removed from your iTunes library
If this item was purchased from the iTunes store, it will be present in your purchase history.
You can choose the card Not in my library located at the top of the program window to make sure that only purchased items that are not currently in the iTunes media library are displayed.
Step 9. Select the "Download" item characterized by the icon
It is a cloud-shaped icon placed next to the song or album in question. Selecting it the unsecured version of the chosen item will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 10. Convert the non-DRM protected song to a normal MP3 file
To create the MP3 version of the song or album in question, you simply have to select it, access the menu File, choose the option Convert and select the item Create MP3 version from the appeared submenu. If the indicated option is not visible, perform this sequence of instructions first:
- Access the menu Edit (on Windows systems) or iTunes (on Mac);
- Choose the voice Preferences… from the drop-down menu appeared;
- Push the button Import settings placed inside the card General;
- Access the "Import using" drop-down menu;
- Choose the option MP3 encoder;
- Push the button OK on both open dialogs.
Method 2 of 3: Convert Protected Songs Using iTunes
Step 1. Understand how the procedure described in this method works
Even though iTunes can play most protected audio files correctly, you will not be able to find their unprotected versions via the iTunes Match service if the items to be processed have not been purchased from the store or have been decommissioned because they are too old.. In these cases, you can use a workaround that is to burn protected audio files to optical media and then import them back into your iTunes library in MP3 format from the newly created CD. However, a few things need to be clarified:
- First, your computer must be authorized to play protected M4P files within iTunes in order to burn them to CD;
- Burning and importing in MP3 format will result in a loss in terms of sound quality;
- If the number of items to convert is very large, it would be better to use rewritable optical media because otherwise you will need to use multiple blank CD-Rs. A single CD-RW can be used up to 1,000 times, which is ideal for a very large media library.
Step 2. Insert a blank CD into your computer drive
Make sure it is new, blank or blank and that it is a rewritable CD (CD-RW).
If your system does not have a CD / DVD burner, you will need to purchase an external USB one before you can proceed any further
Step 3. Launch iTunes
It features a multicolored music note icon on a white background.
Step 4. Sort the list of songs in the library by type
Click the column header Guy of the list. If the latter is not visible, follow these instructions:
- Select with the right mouse button the header bar of the columns of the iTunes library;
- Select the check button Guy and press the button OK.
Step 5. Locate the protected audio files
The digital format of these items is "M4P" and will be displayed within the column Guy of the table. All iTunes files in M4P format are DRM protected files.
Step 6. Select up to 80 minutes of music
To perform a multiple selection of the songs to convert hold down the Ctrl key (or ⌘ Command if you are using a Mac) while clicking on each single item with the left mouse button.
Step 7. Create a new playlist using the chosen files
Select one of the songs in question with the right mouse button, choose the option Add to playlist from the context menu that appeared, then click the item New Playlist and complete the procedure by assigning a name to the new playlist just created.
Step 8. Press the ⋯ button
It is located in the upper right of the playlist page. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 9. Choose the Burn Playlist to Disc option
It is one of the items in the menu that appeared. This will bring up a new dialog box.
Step 10. Create an MP3 file disc
Select the "MP3 CD" checkbox, then press the button Burn located at the bottom of the window. All the songs in the playlist will be burned to CD.
Step 11. Wait for the disc writing to complete
This step may take several minutes. Once the CD has been burned, you will be able to convert the files.
Step 12. Import the songs contained in the CD in MP3 format
After burning the CD you should be able to access the content directly from the iTunes window, select all the files it contains and import them into your library in MP3 format. To do this, go to the menu File, choose the item Convert and select the item Create MP3 version.
When all the songs have been converted to MP3 format, you can proceed to delete the respective protected versions from the iTunes library
Step 13. Format the CD-RW before using it to burn other playlists
If you need to convert other songs, be sure to erase the disc before burning more music to it.
Method 3 of 3: Convert Digital Songs Purchased with Windows Media Player
Step 1. Insert a blank CD into your computer drive
Make sure it's new, blank or blank, and it's a rewritable CD (CD-RW).
If your computer does not have a CD / DVD burner, you will need to purchase an external USB one before you can proceed any further
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 3. Type the keywords windows media player into the "Start" menu
A full search will be performed within the computer for the indicated program.
Step 4. Click the Windows Media Player icon
It is a blue square with a white "Play" symbol inside on an orange background. It should appear at the top of the "Start" menu.
If the Windows Media Player icon does not appear, it means that the program is not installed on your computer and therefore you will not be able to convert protected audio files
Step 5. Access the program's music library
Select tab Multimedia catalog located in the upper left part of the Windows Media Player window, choose the item Music with a double click of the mouse (it is displayed in the main pane of the program window), then select the icon All music files with a double click of the mouse.
Step 6. Locate DRM protected songs
Select with the right mouse button the bar with the headings of the columns of the list at the top of the window, choose the option Choose columns … from the context menu that appeared, scroll through the list of available columns to locate and select the item "Protected", press the button OK, then click the column header Protected. The list of songs contained in the Windows Media Player library will be sorted by separating the protected ones from the unprotected ones.
To be able to view the new column Protected you may need to scroll the list to the right or left.
Step 7. Go to the Burn tab
It is located in the upper right part of the window. This will bring up the "Burn" panel on the right side of the screen.
Step 8. Select up to 80 minutes of music
To perform a multiple selection of the songs to convert, hold down the Ctrl key (or ⌘ Command if you are using a Mac) while clicking each single item with the left mouse button.
Step 9. Now drag the selection of songs into the "Burn" panel
It is located on the right side of the window. Within the latter, the list of all the selected songs should appear.
Step 10. Press the Start Burn button
It is located in the upper left of the "Burn" tab. All the chosen tracks will be copied to CD.
Step 11. Wait for the disc to be written to complete
This step may take several minutes. Once the CD has been burned, you will be able to convert the files.
Step 12. Import the songs contained in the CD in MP3 format
After burning the CD you should be able to import them into the Windows Media Player library using the "Copy from CD" function.
Step 13. Format the CD before using it to burn other playlists
If you need to convert other songs, be sure to erase the disc before burning more music to it.
Advice
Older music tracks may no longer be distributed from Apple and Microsoft stores. In such cases you will not be able to purchase or download the unsecured version of these songs from these websites, but most likely you will be able to get it for free directly online
Warnings
- Trying to violate the DRM protection of digital audio files is illegal in most countries.
- There are plenty of programs online that boast that they can remove protection from digital audio files, but most of them are simply viruses and malware.
