How to Convert iTunes AAC Audio/Music File to MP3

Summary
Do you want to convert protected iTunes AAC music files to MP3? Looking for a way to convert iTunes AAC music to MP3? In this post, you’ll learn how to convert Protected AAC music files to MP3, you can also convert Apple Music AAC audio files to MP3, so then you can enjoy Apple Music and iTunes music on any other devices.

Question: “How do I convert protected AAC to MP3 format? I have about 120 old iTunes songs in my iTunes library, they are protected AAC audio files. When I convert these protected AAC files to MP3 on iTunes, it showed error. I want to put the iTunes music to my Sony Walkman MP3 player. Any suggestion?”

Many people wish to convert iTunes protected AAC music to MP3 so as to get the most out of it. If you have old iTunes music that are protected AAC files, then you come to the right place. This article is written for those who want to get MP3 versions from iTunes protected AAC audio files. Check it out!

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What is Format of the iTunes Protected AAC Audio File?

iTunes is a good place where you can buy music online. Once you purchase the songs or albums on iTunes, you can keep them forever, and play them without needing access to the Internet. However, you can only access your purchased iTunes music on iTunes authorized devices, songs purchased from iTunes Store before 2009 are DRM protected, called iTunes protected AAC audio file. Since April 2009, Apple unprotected the songs on iTunes store, people purchased the iTunes music after 2009 are DRM-free AAC audio file, also called iTunes purchased AAC audio file. This is why some songs are “purchased” while others are “protected”.

See also: Differences in iTunes Music File Extensions

DRM-Protected AAC audio file in iTunes

iTunes protected music

Purchased AAC audio file or AAC audio file in iTunes (non-DRM)

iTunes purchased AAC music

If you want to play iTunes music on your MP3 player, iPod Nano, or copy them to a USB drive, you need to kill the DRM in your old iTunes music purchases and convert iTunes music to MP3. You can use iTunes to convert DRM-free music files to MP3, WAV, but if you need to convert iTunes protected AAC audio files to MP3, a professional iTunes AAC to MP3 Converter is required.

A Powerful iTunes AAC to MP3 Converter

The older version of TunesBank Apple Music Converter is an all-in-one Apple Music Converter and iTunes Music Converter, it can convert iTunes music, Apple Music, podcasts, iTunes music videos, iTunes audiobooks & Audible Audiobooks to MP3, M4A, FLAC and WAV format. With this tool, users can not only remove DRM from iTunes audio, but also can convert iTunes audio files to MP3, including the DRM-protected iTunes AAC files and purchased AAC audio files.

In addition, the latest version of TunesBank Apple Music Converter supports download music from Apple Music, and convert Apple Music to MP3, making Apple Music tracks playable on any device offline! If you want to convert Apple Music to MP3 for offline listening, please download the latest version of TunesBank Apple Music Converter. If you want to convert iTunes music to MP3, please try the older version of TunesBank Apple Music Converter

Features of TunesBank Apple Music Converter(Older Version):

Remove DRM from iTunes Music & Apple Music for free usage.
Convert iTunes protected AAC and purchased AAC to MP3.
Convert Apple Music, podcasts & audiobooks to MP3/M4A/FLAC.
Preserve original music quality, ID3 tags & metadata information.
Customize output quality (320 Kbps, 48,000 Hz.) and edit ID3 tags.
Works at 10X faster speed and supports batch conversion.
Save iTunes music and Apple Music songs on computer forever.
Listen to iTunes songs and Apple Music offline on any device, tablet.

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Step-by-step: Convert Protected iTunes AAC Music files to MP3

To convert DRM protected iTunes AAC files to MP3 with TunesBank Apple Music Converter, please make sure you have installed iTunes on your computer and download the purchased music in iTunes on your PC or Mac. For MacOS 10.15 Catalina, iTunes is divided to Apple Music app, Apple TV app, Apple Books app and Apple Podcasts app.

Step 1. Download & Install TunesBank Apple Music Converter
First, download and install TunesBank Apple Music Converter on computer. When you launched the software, it will automatically detect and activate your iTunes. At the same time, it will load all media content from iTunes library, including the iTunes music (DRM protected AAC files and purchased AAC files), Apple Music, audiobooks, etc.

launch itunes music converter

Step 2. Select iTunes Protected AAC Audio Files
Click on the “My Songs” or “Playlist” tp select your protected iTunes AAC files. Or enter the song name to the “Search” box to locate the protected AAC files.

select itunes music

Step 3. Choose MP3 as Output Format
Move to the bottom of the interface, go to “Output Settings” section. Choose MP3 format from the “Output Format” option. By the way, you can also change other parameters like Output Quality, Output Folder, Smaple Rate, Bitrate, etc.

choose mp3 format

Step 4. Start Converting iTunes Protected AAC to MP3
Now simply press on the “Convert” button and the TunesBank will instantly convert protected iTunes AAC audio files to MP3. During the process, you can even turn back to the “Library” to add more AAC files.

convert itunes music from aac to mp3

Step 5. Get Converted iTunes MP3 Files
After conversion, you can tap the “Finished” tab to find the converted iTunes songs. Click “View Output File” to open the song. They are all saved in DRM-free MP3 format!

get converted itunes music mp3 files

Final Words

By converting iTunes Protected AAC to MP3, you can now listen to your iTunes music on any device or any media player you like, such as MP3 player, iPod Nano/Shuffle/Classic/Touch, PSP, Xbox, car player, smart speakers, etc. It is very easy to convert protected AAC to MP3 with TunesBank Apple Music Converter. Only 4 steps, you will get MP3 from your purchased iTunes music. Why not have a try?

Convert AAC Music to MP3

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Christina

Christina has always had great enthusiasm for writing, programming and web development. He likes writing about software and technology, his works are featured on some tech blogs or forums like Tom's Hardware, CNET, etc.