How to Convert iTunes Songs to MP3
(Mac, Windows, Online)

How to Convert iTunes Songs to MP3: Quick Answer

In the Music app (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), set Import Using to MP3 Encoder in Import Settings, select the songs and choose File → Convert → Create MP3 Version. This works for iTunes Store purchases, CD rips and your own recordings. Apple Music subscription songs are DRM-protected and cannot be converted by any tool.

Understanding iTunes / Apple Music Files

Not all files in your iTunes (or Apple Music) library are the same. The file type determines whether you can convert it and what quality to expect:

Method 1: Apple Music App (Mac/Windows)

Apple Music (formerly iTunes) has a built-in MP3 encoder. This is the most official method and works directly within your music library.

Step-by-step on macOS:

1. Open Apple Music
2. Go to Music → Settings (or Preferences on older macOS)
3. Click the Files tab, then Import Settings
4. Change "Import Using" to MP3 Encoder
5. Set "Setting" to Custom, then choose 256 kbps stereo, 44.1 kHz
6. Click OK to save
7. In your library, select the song(s) you want to convert
8. Go to File → Convert → Create MP3 Version
9. The MP3 copy appears in your library alongside the original M4A

Step-by-step on Windows (iTunes):

1. Open iTunes
2. Go to Edit → Preferences → General → Import Settings
3. Change "Import Using" to MP3 Encoder
4. Set quality to Custom → 256 kbps
5. Select song(s), then File → Convert → Create MP3 Version

Limitations of this method:

• Cannot convert DRM-protected Apple Music subscription tracks
• Bitrates up to 320 kbps; VBR is an option under Custom settings
• Uses Apple's MP3 encoder, not LAME (the industry-standard MP3 encoder)
• Requires the Apple Music or iTunes desktop app

Method 2: Online Converter

Upload your DRM-free M4A files directly and convert to MP3 in your browser. Works on any device — Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Linux — no software installation required.

Step-by-step:

1. Find your M4A files:
   • macOS: Right-click a song in Apple Music → Show in Finder. Default location: ~/Music/Music/Media/Music/
   • Windows: Right-click a song in iTunes → Show in Windows Explorer. Default: C:\Users\[name]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\
2. Open CleverUtils.com in your browser
3. Upload one M4A file at a time
4. Choose settings: VBR V0 or 256 kbps CBR for music (see recommendations below)
5. Convert and download the MP3

Advantages over Method 1:

• Uses the LAME encoder (gold standard for MP3) via FFmpeg's libmp3lame
• Supports VBR encoding (V0, V2) for better quality-to-size ratio
• Works on any device with a browser, including iPhone and Android
• No need to install or configure desktop software

Method 3: Desktop Tools

For users who prefer offline conversion or need to process very large libraries:

VLC Media Player (free, cross-platform):

• Open VLC → Media → Convert/Save
• Add your M4A file(s)
• Choose MP3 as output format
• Pick the Audio - MP3 profile, set a destination file and click Start

Audacity (free, cross-platform):

• Import M4A (requires FFmpeg library installed for Audacity)
• Export as MP3 — choose bitrate and VBR/CBR
• Useful when you also need to edit the audio (trim, normalize, apply effects)

Both tools are free and capable. VLC is faster for simple conversion. Audacity is better when you also need editing.

Critical DRM Warning

This is the most important section of this guide. Apple Music subscription tracks are protected by FairPlay DRM, and no legitimate tool can convert them.

How FairPlay DRM works: When you download a track from Apple Music for offline listening, the file is encrypted with a key tied to your Apple ID and device. The file plays only in Apple Music and authorized Apple apps. Third-party apps and converters cannot access the decrypted audio data.

How to check if your file is DRM-protected:

1. In Apple Music (or iTunes), right-click the song
2. Select Get Info
3. Click the File tab
4. Look at the Kind field:

Recommended Quality Settings

When converting iTunes M4A files to MP3, the source quality determines the ideal output settings. There is no benefit in using a higher MP3 bitrate than your source — it just creates a larger file with no additional quality. Our guide to the best MP3 quality settings lists the right bitrate for music, podcasts and audiobooks.

Why not just use 320 kbps for everything? Because encoding a 256 kbps AAC source at 320 kbps MP3 creates a file 25% larger (320 ÷ 256 = 1.25) with zero quality improvement. The MP3 encoder cannot invent audio data that was already discarded by AAC compression. Match (or slightly exceed) the source bitrate for optimal results.

For CD rips in ALAC (lossless), you have the luxury of a perfect source. Use VBR V0 for the best quality-to-size ratio, or 320 kbps CBR for maximum quality and device compatibility. See our VBR vs CBR guide for a detailed comparison.

Batch Conversion Tips

If you are converting a large iTunes library, batch processing saves significant time:

• Process album by album: select all tracks in an album, convert them together, and verify the results before moving on. This makes it easy to catch issues.
• Preserve folder structure: keep your MP3 files organized in Artist/Album/ folders. Most conversion tools maintain the original filename, making it easy to match MP3s to their M4A originals.
• Check metadata: MP3 uses ID3v2 tags while M4A uses MPEG-4 atoms for metadata. Most converters carry over artist, album, title and track number. CleverUtils keeps these text tags but drops embedded cover art, so re-add artwork in your player if you need it. Spot-check a few files either way.
• Keep the originals: do not delete your M4A files after conversion. M4A (AAC) is the higher-quality source. If you need to re-convert in the future (different bitrate, different format), having the original avoids generational loss from converting an already-converted MP3.

Why Can’t I Convert to MP3 in iTunes?

• The menu says Create AAC Version: the Convert menu follows your import setting. Change Import Using to MP3 Encoder first.
• Create MP3 Version is unavailable: the song is an Apple Music subscription track or an old protected purchase. FairPlay DRM blocks conversion.
• The song is not downloaded: a song stored only in the cloud must be downloaded to your computer before it can be converted.
• The file is outside your library: hold Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows) while choosing File → Convert, choose Convert to MP3, then select the files or folder.
• The upload fails here: the online converter also refuses protected files and shows a DRM error instead of making a silent MP3.