How to Convert iTunes Music to MP3?

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How to Convert iTunes Library to MP3?

1. Using iTunes on Windows

2. Using Apple Music App on Mac

3. Using a 3rd-Party Tool

======FAQs======

iTunes is one of the most popular digital media players used by Apple device owners to organize and play their music library. But sometimes, you may want to convert iTunes songs to MP3 for the following reasons:

Play iTunes music on MP3-only devices like older car stereos, non-Apple smartphones...
Edit and remix iTunes music using editing software that supports MP3 better.
Reduce file size for iTunes music by converting to MP3 which takes up less space.
Backup iTunes library to external drives in a universally compatible format.
Share iTunes music with friends who don't use Apple devices or iTunes.
Upload iTunes music to cloud drives that don't support AAC format well.

Whatever, there are a few effective ways to achieve your conversion goals. Let's dive in!

Method 1: Using iTunes on Windows

iTunes, despite being phased out on Mac, remains a potent tool for Windows users looking to convert their music library to MP3, a straightforward process that requires no additional software.

Start iTunes on your Windows computer.
Navigate to the "Edit" menu and select "Preferences" to open the settings dialogue.
Within the "General" tab, find and click the "Import Settings" button.
From the "Import Using" drop-down menu, choose "MP3 Encoder".
Then select your desired quality settings here. Higher bitrates offer better quality but result in larger file sizes.
Browse your library and select the tracks you wish to convert.
With the tracks highlighted, go to "File" > "Convert", then click "Create MP3 Version".

iTunes will then create MP3 copies of the selected songs saved in the same folder as the original files.

Method 2: Using Apple Music App on Mac

With the replacement of iTunes by the Apple Music app on macOS, the process of converting music files to MP3 has changed slightly but remains user-friendly.

Launch the Apple Music app on your Mac.
From the menu bar, select "Music" > "Preferences" to access the settings.
Click on the "Files" tab, then select "Import Settings".
In the "Import Settings" dialogue, select "MP3 Encoder" from the "Import Using" menu.
Adjust the quality settings to your preference.
Navigate and select the songs you want to convert in your library.
With the tracks are highlighted, click "File" > "Convert", then "Create MP3 Version".

The Apple Music app will create MP3 copies in the same folder as your original music files.

Export iTunes Music to MP3 Using Apple Music App on Mac

Attention...

It's important to note that NOT all iTunes songs can be directly converted due to Apple's FairPlay Digital Rights Management protection on certain files.

The above two methods will not work for DRM protected music (.M4P files) purchased from the iTunes Store.

However, iTunes Plus songs are DRM-free and can be converted.

Method 3: Convert iTunes Library without iTunes

For those looking to convert music library including iTunes purchases or prefer a method outside of the Apple ecosystem, third-party software like WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro offers a robust solution. It provides multiple modules in one interface.

To batch convert iTunes songs to MP3:

Install and runInstall and run the application. Open "Converter" from the startup interface.
Add your iTunes DRM-free music files.
Select "MP3" as your target format from the extensive list of available formats.
If needed, adjust the bitrate and other settings to balance between file size and quality.
Choose a location and hit "Run" to initiate the batch conversion process.

To create MP3 from protected iTunes music:

Open "Recorder" and switch to "Audio-Only Mode".
Select "MP3" in the drop-down list.
Select audio recording from the Desktop or Microphone.
Choose a save location.
Launch iTunes and start playing your DRM-ed song.
Go back to "Recorder" and hit "REC" to record DRM-protected songs as they play in real-time.
Press the shortcuts "Ctrl + F1" to create an MP3 directly in the output folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does converting iTunes music to MP3 reduce audio quality?

A: Yes, converting from lossless or already compressed lossy formats to MP3 will likely reduce quality due to additional compression. Using high MP3 bitrates like 320 kbps can limit this reduction.

Q2: Is converting my iTunes music to MP3 legal?

A: In most cases, converting your own legally purchased digital music for personal use is perfectly legal under fair use copyright laws. But redistributing the MP3s may infringe copyrights.

Q3: Can I convert iTunes music I purchased from the iTunes store?

A: You can convert iTunes Store purchases only if they're iTunes Plus songs. iTunes store purchases have DRM protection which prevents conversion. DRM-protected files require specific methods, like recording or DRM removal tool, to convert to MP3.

Q4: Can I convert iTunes music to other formats besides MP3?

A: Yes, you can convert iTunes files to common formats like FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AC3, M4A and more using audio converter software.

Wrapping Up

That's all about how to convert iTunes music library to MP3 effortlessly. Whether you're a Windows user utilizing iTunes, a Mac user navigating the Apple Music app, or seeking an alternative solution like WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro, there are viable options for nearly every scenario. Remember, while converting to MP3 may involve some quality trade-offs, selecting the right settings can help can mitigate this effect.