Most AAC music files we download from iTunes are DRM-protected meaning you can only listen to them inside of iTunes. It's not possible to directly share these protected AAC files. Thankfully, there are some ways to convert the protected AAC audio to MP3, so that you can enjoy the purchased playlists or albums on any device and share them on social media. In this post, let's look at the 3 easiest ways to convert the protected AAC audio file to MP3.
What Is a Protected AAC Audio File in iTunes
Before April 2009, most songs purchased from the iTunes Store were delivered as protected AAC files and encrypted with Apple's FairPlay DRM. Since April 2009, all new iTunes Store music purchases have been DRM-free 256 kbps AAC files (originally marketed as iTunes Plus).
Many older purchases from 2003–early 2009 remain protected, so you still need to convert them if you want to play them freely on non-Apple devices or convert them to MP3. Note that current Apple Music subscription downloads are also DRM-protected and cannot be freely converted the same way.
Method 1. Convert Protected AAC Audio File to MP3 with DearMob
DearMob iPhone Manager is our top pick for the best way to convert protected AAC audio files to MP3 for good reasons. It can handle both DRM-free and DRM-protected AAC files, lets you edit the metadata information, and supports batch conversion. Better ever, it can help you convert AAC to MP3 while retaining the original quality effortlessly.
DearMob iPhone Manager - Free Protected AAC to MP3 Converter
- Remove DRM from iTunes Songs/Apple Music/TV shows/Movies/Audiobook
- Edit music file tags, such as the artist and the album cover
- Remove DRM projection without losing the original quality and data
- 10x processing speed. Transfer and manage iPhone files in bulk
- Sync 17+ file types (video, audio, photo, and more) via Wi-Fi or USB
Step 1. Open the Music Manager
Launch up DearMob iPhone Manager on your PC and connect your iPhone with your computer. Hit Music Manager. All the protected audio files that you've downloaded from iTunes are now displayed on the Music Manager panel.
Step 2. Convert the Protected AAC Audio File to MP3
Choose the target protected AAC audio files. Select Export. On the pop-up window, click on Decode. DearMob starts to remove the DRM protection from the AAC file and converts the format to MP3.
Method 2. Convert Protected AAC Audio File to MP3 via a CD
Honestly speaking, this isn't a straightforward solution for converting encrypted AAC files to MP3. You need to prepare a blank CD and the burning process might cause a horrible loss in sound quality.
Step 1. Open up iTunes on your computer and then hit Library to lead yourself to the Music Library panel.
Step 2. Create a new playlist and then drag and drop the protected AAC song onto this list.
Step 3. Mount your CD on your computer. Right-click on the playlist and choose Burn Playlist to Disc.
Step 4. Once burning completes, re-import the CD into iTunes or the Music app as DRM-free audio.
Step 5. Select MP3 Encoder in the Import Settings.
The software will rip the tracks into your library as ordinary, unprotected MP3 files. You can then delete the original protected tracks from the library if desired (keep backups).
Method 3. Convert Protected AAC Audio File to MP3 with iTunes
Actually, it is not possible to convert truly protected AAC files directly to MP3 inside iTunes or the Music app.
However, if a matching version still exists in the catalog, an annual iTunes Match subscription can upgrade eligible older protected tracks to higher-quality DRM-free 256 kbps AAC (iTunes Plus), which costs approximately $25/year. With the DRM-free AAC version, you can then convert it to MP3 using the normal Import Settings / Create MP3 Version process.
For tracks that are no longer available in the Store, this method is not feasible.
Step 1. Launch up iTunes, come over to the upper left to find Preference, and click on it.
Step 2. Select Import Settings and then choose MP3 Encoder from the drop-down list of the Import Using menu.
Step 3. Choose the original encrypted AAC files that you want to convert into MP3.
Step 4. Click on File and then hit Create MP3 Version to start the conversion from the protected AAC to the plain MP3.
Final Word
Converting the protected AAC file to MP3 is very probably the easiest solution for playing the protected AAC file everywhere without iTunes account authorization. And DearMob iPhone Manager is the best tool that you can rely on to get things done. It lets you remove DRM protection from iTunes music, TV shows, and other purchased items while retaining the original sound or picture quality. Thanks to the clutter-free interface, everything can get done within several simple clicks.
Free download DearMob iPhone Manager to convert protected AAC audio file to MP3:
