How to Convert AAC to MP3 [Protected & Unprotected]

Part 1. What Is AAC File & Protected AAC Audio File

AAC, or Advanced Audio Coding, is a digital audio compression format known for its superior sound quality compared to MP3, even at the same bit rate. Additionally, AAC files are more efficient, offering better audio fidelity in smaller file sizes, making them ideal for streaming services and modern media players. Due to these advantages, AAC is widely supported across various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad, PlayStation, and more.

Despite its broad compatibility, some AAC files are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) to prevent unauthorized copying. Apple Music, for example, uses DRM-protected AAC for its streaming content, and before 2009, iTunes music purchases were also encrypted with DRM protection. As a result, these protected AAC files can only be played on authorized devices and accounts, limiting their flexibility.

If you want to enjoy your AAC files freely on any device or media player, changing AAC to MP3 is the best solution. But how? Below is a table of the best solutions.

Music Content	Protected or Unprotected	How to Convert to MP3
Apple Music streaming	Protected	DRmare Apple Music Converter
iTunes music purchased before 2009	Protected	iTunes/DRmare Apple Music Converter
iTunes music purchased after 2009	Unprotected	iTunes/DRmare Apple Music Converter/Other online services
Other common AAC files	Unprotected	iTunes/Other online services

Part 2. How to Convert Protected Apple Music to MP3

As for protected AAC files, they are encrypted using Apple's FairPlay DRM technology. And common online audio conversion tools only support unprotected AAC audio files. Therefore, to convert protected AAC audio file to MP3, you also need to remove DRM restrictions first.

At this time, we recommend DRmare Apple Music Converter to you. It supports unprotecting iTunes songs, Apple Music, and Audible audiobooks. It works well at converting both protected files and unprotected files, between various audio formats. With just one click, it can batch convert AAC to MP3, FLAC, M4A, M4B and other common formats.

DRmare Apple Music Converter works 30 times faster, saving you time and effort. Additionally, it preserves lossless sound quality and metadata information such as song title, year, etc. With it, you can effortlessly convert AAC file to MP3 and listen to it on any device you want.

How to Convert Protected AAC Audio File to MP3

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

Step 1Set up DRmare Apple Music Converter

Open the DRmare Apple Music Converter on your computer, it will show its main screen to you. You can click the 'Sign In" button to log into your Apple ID account and passwords.

Step 2Set output format as MP3 for protected AAC files

Hit on the 'DRmare Apple Music Converter" option from Apple menu and choose 'Preferences', it will pop up a setting window. There you can choose MP3 as the output audio format of unprotected Apple Music. And you can customize the audio parameters like codec, bit rate, channel, and so on.

Step 3Add protected AAC audio files to DRmare

Find the protected AAC audio that you'd like to convert, and click the '+' > 'Add to List' button to import them to this protected music converter.

Step 4Convert protected Apple Music to MP3

At last, you can hit the 'Convert' button to start converting Apple Music 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. These audio files are available for you to listen to, save and use anywhere.

Part 3. How to Convert Protected AAC Audio Files to MP3 in iTunes

You can also convert protected AAC file to MP3 in iTunes for free. There are two methods, the first is to subscribe to iTunes Match and the other is to burn AAC audio files to CD. Here's how to do them.

Method 1. Convert Protected AAC to MP3 via iTunes Match Subscription

Step 1. Open iTunes on your computer and subscribe to iTunes Match.

Step 2. Delete the protected AAC files in your iTunes library and then re-download them. Then you will get DRM-free AAC files.

Step 3. Click on 'Preferences' > 'Import Settings' and select as MP3 encoder.

Step 4. Choose the AAC file you'd like to convert.

Step 5. Hit on 'File' > 'Create MP3 Version'.

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. Click the 'Burn Playlist to Disc' > 'Burn' button to burn protected iTunes music to CD.

Step 4. Once burned, put the songs back into iTunes from CD via the MP3 encoder. You can rip the audio files from CD to MP3 format in iTunes.

Part 4. How to Convert AAC to MP3 Free Online

If you have some unprotected AAC files, you can use some free AAC to MP3 converters online to get MP3 files. It's easy to use and completely free. But be aware that they may cause some audio quality loss. If you want lossless conversion, it is recommended that you use DRmare Apple Music Converter. Here we will show you two best AAC to MP3 converters for you.

1. Convertio AAC to MP3 Converter Online

Convertio is an online conversion tool that allows you to transfer between many audio formats. In addition to audio, it also supports converting images, video, documents, and more. It offers options for you to change the settings, such as the bitrate, audio channels, and so on. Now let's see how to convert AAC to MP3 online free by Convertio.

Step 1. Open a web browser and go to Convertio's website.

Step 2. Click on 'Choose Files' and you can upload AAC audio files from your computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL, or by dragging.

Step 3. Click 'Convert' to start converting your AAC audio tracks.

2. CloudConvert Free AAC to MP3 Converter

Similar to Convertio, CloudConvert also allows you to convert your audio files online among MP3, AAC, M4A, and more. It also provides advanced settings for you to adjust, such as the audio codec, audio bitrate, sample rate, volume, and so on.

Step 1. Visit the official website of CloudConvert.

Step 2. Click 'Select File' and you can directly upload the files from your computer.

Step 3. Click 'Convert' to start converting AAC files to MP3.

In Conclusion

Now that you know how to convert protected AAC files, including Apple Music tracks, to MP3 using DRmare Apple Music Converter and iTunes, you have the flexibility to enjoy your music on any device. If you're dealing with unprotected AAC files, you can also use various free online AAC to MP3 converters as an alternative.

Among all the options, DRmare Apple Music Converter stands out as the top recommendation. It offers a simple, user-friendly interface while ensuring lossless audio quality. Whether you're converting standard AAC files or DRM-protected tracks from Apple Music and iTunes, DRmare provides a seamless and efficient solution, making the process quick and hassle-free.