How to Convert Protected AAC to MP3 Free/Best

Now, most people like to listen to music they like on different devices. Yet, sometimes music can't be played on your device, especially for those protected audio files. For iTunes users, you may have some protected AAC audio files. And you can't get them to play on your portable devices.

In this case, you may wonder how can I convert iTunes protected files to MP3 for use. If you are looking for a way, then you can check out this post. Here you will learn how to convert protected AAC to MP3 free and best. Please read the post and learn more.

• Part 1. What Is Protected AAC File
• Part 2. Convert Protected AAC to MP3 - Best Tool
• Part 3. Convert Protected AAC to MP3 Free
• Extra Tip: More about AAC Files
• In Conclusion

Part 1. What Is Protected AAC Audio File

Protected AAC audio files are those songs stored in iTunes. AAC is short for Advanced Audio Coding. It is a lossy compression and encoding scheme used for digital audio. Before 2009, iTunes used AAC audio format for its music. And those music files are under the right protection.

In this case, the protected AAC audio in iTunes can't be used or transferred to other devices unless the device is authorized. Also, you can't play iTunes protected AAC files on Android or non-Apple devices. So, if you want to play those protected files on your desired device, you need to convert its audio format and rip its protection first. But how? You can get the tips by reading the following parts.

Part 2. How to Convert Protected AAC to MP3 - Best Tool

For the protected AAC file, they are encrypted by Apple's FairPlay DRM technology. So, to convert protected AAC files to MP3, we also need to rip the DRM restriction first.

At this point, we recommend you DRmare Apple Music Converter. It supports to remove DRM from iTunes songs and Apple Music. And it can convert iTunes protected AAC to MP3 and other audio formats with high quality.

Besides, it can batch convert audio tracks at a faster speed which can save you time and energy. Also, it allows you to modify the output audio channel, bit rate and so on. And it supports to convert protected files and unprotected files well. It also helps convert Audible audiobooks, Apple Music songs and more.

DRmare Protected AAC to MP3 Converter

• Support to remove DRM from iTunes and Apple Music
• Run at a faster speed with the original audio quality kept
• Output audio to a lot of formats like MP3, AAC, WAV, etc.
• Support to convert protected iTunes to MP3 with ease

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How to Convert Protected iTunes AAC to MP3 by DRmare Audio Converter

Now, let's learn more about how to convert protected AAC to MP3 via DRmare Audio Converter. Before that, you need to download and install the DRmare Apple Music Converter to your computer.

Step 1Set up DRmare Audio Converter

Open the DRmare Apple Music Converter on your PC. It will show its main screen to you. And it will load the iTunes program as well.

Step 2Add protected AAC audio files to DRmare

Before converting protected AAC audio files, please make sure that you had downloaded and authorize the audio to play well in iTunes. Once confirmed, then drag and drop them from iTunes to DRmare main screen. Or you can press on the 'Add Files' button to browse and choose the audio files to import.

Step 3Set output format as MP3 for iTunes protected audio files

To convert protected AAC to MP3, you need to define them as MP3 in DRmare program. Hit on the 'Format' button and it will pop up a setting window. In it, you can choose MP3 as the output audio format. And you can customize the audio parameters like codec, bit rate, channel, and so on.

Step 4Convert iTunes protected AAC to MP3

At last, you could hit on the 'Convert' button to start to convert protected AAC to MP3 format. After a while, you can get them converted and saved on your computer. You can click on the 'Converted' icon to find your audio files on your computer.

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Part 3. How to Convert Protected AAC to MP3 Free in iTunes

Besides using the third-party tool, you can convert protected AAC files to MP3 in iTunes for free. Here we go.

Method 1. Use iTunes Match Subscription

Note: Please use iTunes Match subscription to upgrade the protected AAC file to iTunes Plus. Then you will get DRM-free files and can convert protected AAC to MP3.

Step 1. Open iTunes on your computer.

Step 2. Click on 'Preferences' > 'Import Settings' and select as MP3 encoder.

Step 3. Choose the AAC file you'd like to convert.

Step 4. Hit on 'File' > 'Create MP3 Version'.

Yet, sometimes you won't successfully upgrade all protected AAC audio files into DRM-free audio.

Method 2. Burn Protected AAC File to CD

Step 1. Launch iTunes and create a new playlist.

Step 2. Add the protected AAC files to the newly created playlist.

Step 3. Insert a blank CD into your computer and right-click the protected AAC file you like to burn.

Step 4. Once burned, then put the songs back into iTunes from CD via the MP3 encoder.

Then you can rip the audio files from CD to MP3 format in iTunes. But this way is time-consuming and quite complicated.

See also: Burn Protected Apple Music to CD

Extra Tip: More about AAC Files

AAC audio file: A standard AAC file (Advanced Audio Coding). It is from converting an MP3 or ripping a song from CD via iTunes' built-in AAC encoder.

MPEG audio file: A standard MP3 file, can be get from the web or rip a CD song by iTunes' built-in MP3 encoder.

Matched AAC audio file: A standard AAC audio file, except those you downloaded from your iCloud by iTunes Match on an iOS device or computer.

Apple Music AAC audio file: A standard AAC file, except the Apple Music in your library. It has DRM protection.

Protected AAC audio file: A default file type for the purchased songs from iTunes Store before 2009. It has DRM restrictions.

Purchased AAC audio file: It comes from a protected AAC file upgraded to iTunes Plus format. It is DRM-free.

In Conclusion

Now, you learned how to convert protected AAC to MP3 by DRmare Apple Music and iTunes. You can convert protected AAC to MP3 free via iTunes. Yet, it is quite difficult for most users. While using DRmare Audio Converter, it would be the best way to convert iTunes protected files to MP3. Not only that, it can also convert iTunes audio files to FLAC, and other audio formats. Also, it can let you reset the output audio bit rate and more for your music files. After then, you can stream the converted music files on any device you want.