MP3 may be older than some of the headphones currently playing it, but it remains one of the most widely supported audio formats on the planet. Car stereos, inexpensive music players, editing programs, smart TVs, and assorted mystery gadgets from the back of a desk drawer can usually handle an MP3 without drama. Apple’s music software, however, often stores purchased or imported songs as AAC, M4A, Apple Lossless, AIFF, or WAV files.
The good news is that converting eligible iTunes songs to MP3 is straightforward. On a Mac, the job is handled by the Apple Music app. On a Windows PC, Apple’s documented method uses iTunes for Windows. The important word is eligible: you can convert local, DRM-free audio that you own or are authorized to use, but you cannot use the built-in converter to turn Apple Music subscription downloads or older protected AAC files into ordinary MP3s.
Before You Convert: Know What Kind of Song You Have
People often use “iTunes song” to describe several different things. Those things may look nearly identical in a library, yet they do not have the same conversion rights or technical limitations.
DRM-Free iTunes Store Purchases
Current iTunes Store music purchases are generally DRM-free AAC files, commonly stored with the .m4a extension. Because they are not copy-protected, Apple’s software can create MP3 copies of them. The original remains in your library, so the conversion process is more photocopier than paper shredder.
Music Imported From CDs or Other Folders
Songs you ripped from your own CDs or imported from a computer folder are normally convertible, provided the source file is supported and not protected. Apple Music on Mac and iTunes on Windows can work with common formats such as AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV.
Apple Music Subscription Downloads
A song downloaded for offline listening through an Apple Music subscription is not the same as a purchased song. It is tied to the subscription and includes access controls. Selecting it and looking for “Create MP3 Version” will not magically produce a portable file.
Be cautious with programs that promise effortless Apple Music DRM removal. Such tools may create legal, privacy, security, or account problems. The safe approach is to convert only unprotected files that you own or are legally authorized to reproduce.
Older Protected iTunes Purchases
Some older purchases may appear as a “Protected AAC audio file” and use the .m4p extension. Apple’s built-in conversion command will not convert those protected files. Check whether the same purchase can be downloaded again as an iTunes Plus version through your purchase history. Availability varies, so do not assume every ancient track has received a modern makeover.
How to Convert iTunes Songs to MP3 on a Mac
On modern macOS versions, iTunes has been replaced by separate apps, and music-library conversion happens in the Apple Music app. The MP3 option lives under “Import Settings,” even when you are converting a song that has already been imported. Software archaeology is apparently part of the experience.
Step 1: Open the Apple Music Settings
- Open the Music app on your Mac.
- Choose Music > Settings from the menu bar.
- Click the Files tab.
- Click Import Settings.
Step 2: Select the MP3 Encoder
Open the Import Using menu and choose MP3 Encoder. Next, choose a quality setting based on how you plan to use the files.
For everyday listening, 192 kbps offers a practical balance between file size and sound quality. For a higher-quality portable copy, 256 kbps is a strong default. A 320 kbps MP3 is larger and may minimize additional audible damage during transcoding, but it cannot restore detail that was already discarded from an AAC source.
Click OK to save the import setting, and then close the settings window.
Step 3: Create the MP3 Version
- Return to your music library.
- Select one song, several songs, or an entire album.
- Choose File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.
The Music app creates an MP3 copy and places it next to the original. Your AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, or WAV source file remains unchanged.
Step 4: Find the New MP3 File
The two library entries may look like identical twins wearing the same album art. Open Song Info and inspect the File details. The converted copy should be identified as an MPEG audio file or show a location ending in .mp3.
You can also use Show in Finder to open the folder containing the converted file. From there, copy the MP3 to a USB drive, portable player, editing project, backup folder, or another compatible device.
How to Convert iTunes Songs to MP3 on Windows
Apple’s documented conversion method for a PC uses iTunes for Windows. There is one modern wrinkle: when the separate Apple Music or Apple TV apps are installed on Windows, iTunes may stop managing music and remain focused on podcasts and audiobooks.
If your music library still opens in iTunes, use the following steps. If your library has moved to the newer Apple Music app and the conversion command is unavailable, use one of the alternative methods later in this guide for DRM-free local files.
Step 1: Change the Import Format
- Open iTunes for Windows.
- Choose Edit > Preferences.
- Open the General tab.
- Click Import Settings.
- Choose MP3 Encoder from the Import Using menu.
- Select a quality preset or choose a custom bitrate.
- Click OK, and then click OK again.
Step 2: Convert the Selected Songs
- Highlight the songs you want to convert.
- Choose File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.
- Wait for iTunes to finish creating the new files.
The MP3 copies appear beside the originals. Converting a large album may take several minutes and cause the computer’s fans to briefly audition for a wind-tunnel documentary.
Step 3: Verify the File Type
Right-click a converted track, open Song Info, and check the file details. You can also reveal file extensions in Windows File Explorer by choosing View > Show > File name extensions.
Do not simply rename .m4a to .mp3. Changing an extension changes the label, not the underlying audio encoding. It is the digital equivalent of writing “coffee” on a jar of pickles.
How to Convert an Entire Folder While Importing It
You do not have to add every source file to the library before converting it. After setting the MP3 Encoder as described above, you can import and convert a folder in one operation.
Convert a Folder on a Mac
Hold the Option key while choosing File > Convert > Convert to MP3. Select the folder or disk containing the songs you want to import.
Convert a Folder on Windows
Hold the Shift key while choosing File > Convert > Convert to MP3. Select the source folder or disk.
The software imports the music and creates converted copies based on the active encoder settings. This method is useful when preparing a collection for an older MP3 player, a car stereo, a presentation system, or another device that treats AAC like an exotic foreign language.
Choosing the Best MP3 Quality Setting
Bitrate affects both file size and sound quality. Higher numbers generally produce larger files and preserve more audio information, but transcoding has limits.
When a 256 kbps AAC file is converted to MP3, the encoder compresses audio that has already been compressed. Setting the output to 320 kbps does not transform it into a studio master. It simply gives the second compression stage more room to work.
- 128 kbps: Produces small files suitable for speech, casual listening, or severe storage limits.
- 192 kbps: Offers a sensible everyday setting for many portable players and car stereos.
- 256 kbps: Provides a strong balance for music converted from high-quality AAC or lossless sources.
- 320 kbps: Uses the highest common MP3 bitrate and is useful when compatibility matters more than storage efficiency.
For the best possible result, convert from the original CD, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, or Apple Lossless source rather than from an existing AAC or MP3 copy. Repeatedly converting between lossy formats is like photocopying a photocopy: the words remain recognizable, but the tiny details become increasingly fuzzy.
Does Converting AAC to MP3 Reduce Sound Quality?
Yes, although the difference may be subtle. AAC and MP3 are both lossy formats, meaning they reduce file size by discarding audio information considered less noticeable to human hearing. Converting from AAC to MP3 requires another round of lossy compression.
How noticeable the change becomes depends on the original file, the output bitrate, the encoder, the music, the listening equipment, and the listener. Complex cymbals, crowded arrangements, sharp transients, and spacious acoustic recordings may expose compression artifacts more easily than spoken-word audio.
Converting an MP3 or AAC file to WAV, AIFF, or Apple Lossless will not recover missing information. The resulting file becomes larger, but it does not become more detailed. Lossless containers are excellent for preserving a lossless source, not for performing audio resurrection.
Alternative Ways to Convert DRM-Free iTunes Files
Apple’s built-in method is convenient, but it is not the only option. Alternatives are especially useful when a Windows computer has migrated to the separate Apple Music app or when you need to process a format that Apple’s software does not accept.
Use VLC Media Player
- Open VLC and choose Media > Convert/Save.
- Add the local audio file you want to convert.
- Click Convert/Save.
- Select an Audio – MP3 profile.
- Choose a destination filename ending in
.mp3. - Start the conversion.
VLC works well for straightforward local conversions, although metadata and album artwork may need cleanup afterward. It also cannot legitimately unlock protected Apple Music subscription files.
Use Audacity
Audacity is helpful when you want to trim silence, adjust volume, split a long recording, or edit the audio before exporting it. Import the DRM-free source, choose File > Export Audio, select MP3, and set the desired bitrate.
Some AAC or M4A imports may require the optional FFmpeg library. Remember that editing and re-exporting a lossy source introduces another generation of compression.
Use FFmpeg for Large or Automated Jobs
Advanced users can convert local, unprotected files with FFmpeg. It is especially useful for batch processing and scripted workflows. A basic command may look like this:
Replace the filenames with the actual input and output paths. FFmpeg is powerful, but it does exactly what the command says, including cheerfully overwriting organizational plans you forgot to make. Test a few files before launching a large batch.
Be Careful With Online Converters
Browser-based converters can be convenient for non-sensitive, unprotected files, but they require uploading the audio to a third-party server. Review the service’s privacy policy, deletion policy, file-size limit, and reputation before submitting a rare recording or personal audio.
For a large music library, local software is usually faster, more private, and less awkward than uploading every song one at a time.
Why “Create MP3 Version” May Be Missing or Disabled
The Selected Song Is Not Downloaded
A cloud-only library entry may need to be downloaded before local conversion is possible. Confirm that the track exists as a file on the computer rather than merely as a streaming-library listing.
The Song Is Protected
Apple Music subscription tracks and older Protected AAC files cannot be converted with the built-in command. Check Song Info and look for wording such as “Apple Music AAC audio file” or “Protected AAC audio file.”
The Encoder Is Still Set to AAC
The Convert menu reflects the active import encoder. If it says “Create AAC Version,” return to Import Settings and choose MP3 Encoder.
No Song Is Selected
The command may remain unavailable until at least one compatible library item is highlighted. Playlists, radio stations, search categories, and album headers are not convertible audio files.
You Are Using the Newer Windows Apple Music App
Apple documents direct library conversion for Apple Music on Mac and iTunes on Windows. The separate Apple Music app on Windows may not offer the same conversion menu. Use a trusted local converter for unprotected files or return to the original source.
The Conversion Succeeded, but the Copy Is Hiding
Sort the library by Date Added, inspect the file kind, or search the album folder. Because the new MP3 inherits the title, artist, album information, and artwork, it can blend in remarkably well. It is not gone; it is merely practicing camouflage.
How to Avoid Duplicates and Metadata Chaos
Because conversion preserves the original file, every successful operation creates at least two library entries. For a few songs, that is harmless. For 2,000 tracks, it becomes a small administrative government.
Before converting a large collection, create a dedicated playlist containing only the source tracks. After conversion, sort the library by file kind or date added. Copy the MP3 versions to their final destination, verify that they play, and only then decide whether to remove duplicates from the library.
Keep a backup of the originals, especially when they are lossless, rare, or difficult to replace. Deleting a high-quality master after making a compressed copy is an efficient way to meet your future self under unpleasant circumstances.
Metadata deserves attention too. Check artist names, album titles, track numbers, disc numbers, genres, and artwork. Older players may display embedded artwork poorly or truncate long filenames. Test a small batch on the target device before converting the entire library overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Convert an Apple Music Playlist to MP3?
You cannot convert subscription tracks from an Apple Music playlist into ordinary MP3 files with Apple’s built-in tools. You can convert eligible local, purchased, imported, or DRM-free songs that happen to be included in the playlist.
Can I Convert Purchased iTunes Music to MP3?
Modern DRM-free iTunes Store purchases can generally be converted. Older purchases labeled as Protected AAC cannot be converted through the normal Create MP3 Version command.
Why Does iTunes Create Two Copies?
Conversion creates a new MP3 while preserving the original. This prevents accidental quality loss or deletion. Check the file kind to distinguish the two versions.
Should I Delete the AAC Files After Conversion?
Only after confirming that the MP3 files play correctly and that you have a backup. AAC may provide better quality than MP3 at a comparable bitrate, so keeping the originals is usually wise.
Can I Convert iTunes Songs on an iPhone?
The iPhone Music and iTunes Store apps do not include the same library-conversion workflow available on a computer. Convert eligible local files on a Mac or PC, and then transfer or sync the resulting MP3s.
Will a 320 kbps MP3 Sound Better Than a 256 kbps AAC Original?
Not necessarily. The larger MP3 cannot restore information missing from the AAC source. It may help limit additional degradation during conversion, but it does not improve the original recording.
A Practical Conversion Experience: What Usually Happens
A typical conversion project begins with one innocent sentence: “I just need these twelve songs for the car.” Five minutes later, the library contains AAC originals, MP3 copies, two versions of the same album art, and a live recording labeled Track 07 because its metadata apparently left town years ago.
The smoothest experience comes from starting small. Choose two or three representative tracks: one purchased from the iTunes Store, one imported from a CD, and one file obtained from another legitimate source. Set the MP3 Encoder to 256 kbps, create the MP3 versions, and test them on the destination device. This miniature rehearsal reveals compatibility problems without turning your entire collection into a duplicate-filled maze.
One common surprise is that the converted song does not look new. It keeps the same title, artist, album, track number, and artwork, so the library may show two nearly identical rows. The reliable solution is to inspect the file kind or sort by date added. Once that habit becomes automatic, finding the new copy takes seconds rather than a dramatic investigation involving three windows and a suspicious amount of coffee.
Another lesson is that bitrate should match the purpose. For a noisy commute, gym session, basic car stereo, or inexpensive portable player, 192 or 256 kbps is generally practical. For archiving, however, MP3 should not replace a lossless master. Keep the original Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, or CD source and treat the MP3 as a convenient travel copy. Storage is cheaper than regret, and regret has terrible metadata.
Large batches also reward patience. Converting hundreds of tracks can consume processor time, create many gigabytes of new data, and expose inconsistent tags that were easy to ignore when everything lived inside one app. Converting one album at a time makes it easier to verify track order and artwork. It also reduces the chance of copying the wrong version to a device.
Folder organization becomes important as soon as the project grows. A reliable structure is to create folders by artist and album, with track numbers at the beginning of each filename. That arrangement works even when an old MP3 player has an interface apparently designed by someone who considered alphabetical sorting an advanced luxury.
It is also smart to compare a few converted tracks through the equipment that will actually play them. A difference that sounds obvious through studio headphones may disappear inside a moving car. Conversely, a very low bitrate that seems acceptable through laptop speakers may reveal metallic cymbals or watery vocals on a better system.
Finally, the biggest practical distinction is ownership versus access. A purchased DRM-free song or a track ripped from your CD behaves like a normal local file. An Apple Music subscription download behaves like licensed access that depends on the service. They may sit side by side in the same library, but they are not interchangeable.
Recognizing that difference early prevents most failed conversions and avoids wasting time on questionable “unlocker” software. Once the workflow is organized—identify the file, choose the encoder, test a small batch, verify the MP3, and preserve the original—the process becomes pleasantly boring.
In file conversion, boring is a compliment. Boring means the songs play, the tags make sense, and the car stereo does not respond to your carefully curated playlist with the digital equivalent of a blank stare.
Conclusion
To convert iTunes songs to MP3, first confirm that the files are DRM-free and stored locally. On a Mac, choose the MP3 Encoder in Music > Settings > Files > Import Settings, and then use File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.
On a Windows PC where iTunes still manages music, choose the MP3 Encoder under Edit > Preferences > General > Import Settings, select the songs, and use the same Convert command.
Choose 192 kbps for smaller everyday files, 256 kbps for a strong quality-and-size balance, or 320 kbps when broad compatibility matters and storage is not a concern. Keep lossless originals whenever possible, test a few tracks before processing a large library, and never confuse renaming an extension with genuine conversion.
Note: Convert only audio that you own, created, or are legally authorized to reproduce. Apple Music subscription downloads and protected AAC files are not eligible for normal MP3 conversion through Apple’s built-in tools.
