“Did you know that Apple Music is protected by Apple’s FairPlay DRM System?” Well, now you know. This goes to show that if you download songs from iTunes, your songs are DRM-ed. While this has its chain of merits, there are a couple of disadvantages of having your Apple Music DRM. For instance, when it comes to transfer of the music to other devices that are not from Apple this become impossible. That is why in this article today we bring you easy steps that will enable you remove DRM from iTunes music so that you are free to do whatever with these songs. There are three methods you can consider.
Method 1: Burn iTunes DRM songs to CD/ DVD
Method 2: Convert DRM iTunes Music from M4P to MP3 Losslessly
Method 3: Use Streaming Audio Capture
As the name suggest, this is the way that involves the use of a CD or a DVD. Do not worry about the kind of CD or DVD you need to use as an ordinary one will work just fine! You only have to ensure that it is blank and you can easily purchase one from an electronic store. Once you have your blank CD/ DVD follow religious the following four simple steps:
Step 1: Create Music Playlist
Download and install iTunes on your PC. Proceed to then insert your blank CD or DVD in the computer hard drive before you select file then New Playlist and add a name of your choice to this new playlist you are creating.
Step 2: Add iTunes to the Creation
The next step is adding the songs you want. Here, you should select all the songs you want iTunes DRM removal and drag and drop them into the playlist you have just created above. Do not forget the name of the playlist for easier completion of this step.
Step 3: Burn iTunes
Go ahead and right-click on the playlist then select the option ‘Burn Playlist to Disc’. You will be presented with a dialogue box that allows you to select the type of CD/DVD you want to burn. Ensure you go with the option Audio CD and this will automatically initiate the burning process.
Step 4: Import iTunes audio from CD/ DVD
You now have to get the burned audios to digital music files for actual completion of removal of DRM. All you need to do is open iTunes, select the options Edit, Preferences and General tab in that order before clicking on the ‘Import Settings’. Insert your audio CD in your hard drive then click yes to begin the process. Once it is done, you are sure your songs are free from DRM.
View Also: Apple Music Ripper-How to Rip Apple Music to MP3
While in the first step you used a CD/DVD, here, the option is using the iTunes Audio Converter PC/Mac. This is by far the best method because you are using a powerful tool that will not only remove the DRM protection but help you download and convert your favorite itunes songs do several different formats. In addition the process is faster and retains the high quality of your itunes songs. Further more you don’t need use a disk any more as those can be bulky and are prone to damages. To use the iTunes Audio Converter follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and Install the iTunes Audio Converter
This is the most important steps because you cannot use the tool unless you have it installed on your computer. Once the installation is done register an account and then launch the tool for use.
Step 2: Add iTunes Music to iTunes Audio Converter
Similar to the previous option, the first procedure is downloading and installing but this time, you are installing the iTunes Audio Converter. Once you have done this, go ahead and click on the “+” located at the top center. It will initiate loading of the iTunes M4P files directly from your existing library. Instead of this option, you can settle on the drag-and-drop method.
Step 3: Choose and output format
M4P is usually not the best format that supports removal of DRM from outputs. That is why once you have selected your preferred songs, you should choose new formats for them. So far you can choose from MP3, WAV, M4A, M4B, FLAC and AAC. It is also here that you get to adjust other settings of the songs including bit rates, output folder and audio channel among others.
Step 4: Remove the DRM from the Apple Music
The next and perhaps the most essential step in this solution is removal of the DRM. It involves clicking on the Convert button. This will not only see the formats of the songs change to what you selected. It will also free the songs you had selected from DRM and you are free to play them without limited and transfer them to a preferred device.
The last option is using an Audio Capture Tool to free your songs from DRM. The recorder is actually software from a non-apple firm hence it is safe to call it a third party tool but it does an excellent job. Like the previous solution, this option also allows you to convert M4P to MP3 and several other formats during the removal without the song loosing the original quality of your apple songs. Here are the steps you should follow in this method:
Step 1: Get the Audio Recorder Ready
Install the software on your Mac and click on the audio button found at the bottom right corner. Proceed to then set the format of your audio and other setting like music quality, bit, rated and codec. The formats available include MP3, FLAC, M4A, M4B and WAV.
Step 2: Record your iTunes Songs
Find your way back to the software’s main window and choose iTunes from the program list. Start to play your music and you will see a new recording task created in the capture list of the Streaming Audio Capture Window. You can quit or stop playing the song to stop the recording.
Step 3: Edit the save the recorded music
Once you have finished the recording process click on the edit button and make changes to the song if necessary. Proceed to save your song and listen to it while it is DRM-free.
Conclusion
You now have a set of three options that can help you remove DRM from iTunes Music. You do not want to consider option one because it is slightly old-fashion as it requires a physical disc. Option three, though advantageous as you do not only capture iTunes with it but other audio streams on your PC, it is often time consuming especially if you have a huge iTunes Music Library. That goes to show that the best out of the three options is options two as it provides a higher quality output and great speed.