Has anyone successfully imported music from Apple Music into CapCut? It seems like the app filters out most of my library. I've tried searching by song title within CapCut's "from device" section, but nothing pops up. Is there a way to unlock these files or a specific folder I should be moving them to so CapCut recognizes them?
If you've posted a query like this on Reddit, trust me, you're not alone. A few days ago, I was editing a quick travel reel in CapCut on my Mac. I had the absolute perfect soundtrack lined up in my Apple Music library. But when I tried to pull the track into CapCut's timeline via the "From Device" folder, it was nowhere to be found. When I tried pointing straight to the file location, CapCut hit me with the dreaded "File format not supported" warning. If you've run into this wall, here is what's actually happening behind the scenes and the workaround to add music to CapCut from Apple Music and iTunes music for me.
Why CapCut Couldn't Export iTunes Music and Apple Music
CapCut's intuitive interface makes it a top choice for creators, but its built-in library doesn't always carry mainstream hits. So, naturally, we turn to our personal streaming accounts, such as Apple Music. However, it's impossible to add songs from Apple Music directly into CapCut's video projects. Here's why that natively fails:
- Apple Music Tracks: Songs you download through an active Apple Music subscription aren't open audio files. They arrive as
.m4pcontainers encrypted with FairPlay DRM. CapCut simply can't read or process these protected streams. - Old vs. New iTunes Purchases: If you bought tracks on iTunes after 2009, they are standard DRM-free
.m4afiles and will import into CapCut without issue. However, older purchases (pre-2009) still carry legacy encryption.
Compatibility Matrix: Apple Music and CapCut
| Audio Category | Format Type | CapCut Compatibility | Workaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music Tracks | .m4p (Encrypted) | ❌ Blocked | Conversion Required (e.g., DRmare) |
| Old iTunes Purchases (Pre-2009) | .m4p (Encrypted) | ❌ Blocked | Conversion Required |
| Modern iTunes Purchases (Post-2009) | .m4a (DRM-Free) | ✅ Supported | Direct Import |
| Local Audio Files | MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, or WMA | ✅ Supported | Direct Import |
Preparation for Adding Music to CapCut from Apple Music
Fortunately, CapCut allows users to import their own music files, encoded in MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A, AIFF, and WMA for video editing. Since the core issue is purely the DRM lock on Apple Music's .m4p files, all you need is a reliable tool to convert those tracks into one of CapCut's accepted formats.
In my own testing, DRmare Apple Music Converter handled this bridge smoothly without messing up the original audio quality. It can quickly convert locked iTunes music and Apple Music into CapCut-supported MP3, WAV, FLAC, and more. Here is how I set it up and converted my tracks:
How to Download Apple Music and iTunes Music for CapCut
Step 1. Once you launch the converter on your desktop, sign in to your Apple account through its built-in browser window so it can pull up your library.
Step 2. Go to the 'Menu' > 'Perferences' section and reset the audio format and other audio parameters. To import music from Apple Music to CapCut, I recommend picking MP3 or WAV.
In my test run, setting the output to 320 kbps MP3 gave me the ideal balance between crisp audio quality and lightweight file sizes for video rendering.
Step 3. Search favorite songs that you'd like to download in your Apple Music library and load it into the converter queue by clicking the '+' button.
Step 4. Click the 'Convert' button, you will get the local Apple Music files for CapCut on your computer. Once complete, click the folder icon to open the local folder containing your brand-new, DRM-free audio files.
During my trial, batch-converting 10 Apple Music tracks took barely a minute on a standard home Wi-Fi connection.
How to Add Apple Music to CapCut on Computer (Desktop & Web)
Now that your Apple Music tracks are converted into standard audio files, adding them into CapCut is smooth sailing. Whether you're working on the CapCut desktop app or using the web editor, here is how to quickly pull your music into your project timeline:
On CapCut Desktop App (Mac & Windows):
Step 1. Launch the CapCut program on your computer and click '+ New Project' to create a new project or open an existing project.
Step 2. Click on 'Media' at the top and then choose the 'Local' > 'Import' option. There you can add both audio and video to your project.
Step 3. Browse the converted Apple Music files and choose to import one of them to your video. Then you can drag and drop the Apple Music songs straight down onto the CapCut's video timeline.
Pro Tips:
If you use CapCut Pro's Auto-Beat sync feature, these local files work seamlessly. The AI accurately detects drum transients to help you make snappy, perfectly timed cuts.
On CapCut Web Editor
Step 1. Head over to CapCut's online editor on your web browser and log in to your account.
Step 2. Click the 'Click to upload' option to upload your main video clip.
Step 3. On the left navigation sidebar, select 'Media' > 'Project' > 'Upload'. Choose 'From computer', select your converted Apple Music files, and click 'Open'.
Step 4. Once uploaded, simply drag the audio track onto your video timeline to sync it with your video.
Alternatively, you can just drag and drop your converted audio files directly from your computer folder right onto the CapCut web interface!
How to Add Apple Music to CapCut on Mobile (iPhone & Android)
If you prefer editing videos on the go using your phone, adding converted Apple Music to CapCut Mobile is just as easy. Since the converted tracks are currently saved on your computer, the process involves two quick steps: moving the files to your phone, and then importing them into the CapCut app. Here are the steps that worked seamlessly on my device:
Transfer the Converted Apple Music to Your Phone
Before opening CapCut on your phone, you'll need to transfer the converted audio files from your computer:
- For iPhone Users: AirDrop the converted files straight from your Mac to your iPhone, then save them into the Files app.
- For Android Users: Connect your Android phone to your computer using a USB cable (select File Transfer / MTP mode). Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) on your desktop, locate your phone, and copy-paste the converted audio files directly into your phone's internal Music folder.
Import Apple Music into the CapCut Mobile App
Once the audio files are sitting safely on your phone, open CapCut and follow these quick steps:
- Launch the CapCut app on your phone and tap New Project to start editing.
- Tap the 'Audio' tab from the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the 'Sounds' option.
- Click the 'Folder' > 'Your Sounds' > 'From Files' (or 'From Device' on Android) > 'Import from Files' to locate your converted track.
- Tap the '+' icon next to it, and the music will immediately drop onto your video timeline!
Real Talk: Copyrights and Best Practices When Using Apple Music in CapCut
Before you export and upload your video with Apple Music to social media, keep these practical points in mind:
TikTok/YouTube Copyright Detection:
Even if you successfully import a commercial song into CapCut, TikTok or YouTube's automated copyright bots might still flag or mute your video post-upload.
Use CapCut's Built-in Copyright Checker:
Right before exporting your final video, run CapCut's built-in "Check Copyright" tool. It will scan your audio timeline and warn you if a specific track is likely to cause muting issues online.
Personal vs. Commercial Use:
Converting tracks this way works great for personal edits, family montages, or offline projects. For client work or monetized channel videos, sticking to royalty-free audio libraries is always the safest bet.
FAQs about Adding Music from Apple Music to CapCut
Does CapCut Have a Music Library?
Yes, CapCut has a music library with tons of free tracks. You can pick from a variety of pre-installed soundtracks to use in your videos.
How Do I Import Music into CapCut?
You can import your own music from your device or from CapCut's music library. Please note that you can only add non-copyrighted songs to CapCut.
Is CapCut Music Copyright-free?
The music within CapCut's own library is not copyright-free; it is royalty-free for specific uses. This means that CapCut has secured licenses that allow you to use these tracks in your personal videos without incurring any royalty fees.
What Audio Formats Does CapCut Accept?
CapCut is compatible with several standard audio formats, making it easy to import sounds you legally own or have created. The most commonly accepted audio formats include:
MP3WAVM4A(This is the format for DRM-free iTunes purchases)AACWMA
Is It Safe to Log into DRmare with My Apple Account?
Yes. DRmare uses a standard web-view interface. Your credentials are processed by Apple's own servers via HTTPS, and the software only "reads" the audio stream to create the local copy.
Conclusion
Although CapCut does not support adding Apple Music and protected iTunes music to your videos directly, the above content lets you learn how to add music to CapCut from Apple Music and iTunes. With DRmare Apple Music Converter, you can easily convert copyright-protected Apple Music songs to unprotected audio files. It does not affect any sound quality and the original metadata information is preserved. Then you can easily add Apple Music to CapCut or other video editing applications. Have fun creating and editing videos with perfect music!
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