How would you describe Apple's ecosystem, especially the iTunes ecosystem? Doesn't it like that Apple has lured users into a trap using design or marketing, shut the door behind them and thrown away the key? Generally speaking, this kind of ecosystem lock-in essentially doesn't allow the customer to take the content and move to another platform. To be specifically, this can be achieved by limiting a device's file format compatibility, or by limiting the ways in which a device can be loaded with content.
This article introduces different DRM technologies on films, like Apple's Fairplay DRM, Windows Media DRM and ACSS, CSS DVD encryption.
Part 1. Does iTunes Have DRM or Not?
Before we introduce ways to remove DRM from iTunes, let's briefly explain what DRM is, and whether iTunes content is affected by it. DRM, or Digital Rights Management, refers to technologies used by content providers, like Apple, to control the use of digital content. It restricts the ability to copy, share, or modify the content.
DRM in iTunes Music, Movies, and More:
iTunes has a nuanced approach to DRM, depending on the type of content and how it was acquired. Here's a breakdown:
- Purchased Songs: Songs bought from iTunes (excluding Apple Music subscription) typically do not have DRM. You can freely re-download these songs without any restrictions.
- Purchased Movies/TV Shows: Content you've bought from iTunes (not rented) also does not have DRM. You can download and watch these without any limitations.
- Rented Movies/TV Shows: Rental content, however, does come with DRM and has specific viewing periods before expiration.
- iTunes Extras: Special features such as behind-the-scenes videos and deleted scenes are usually DRM-free, allowing you to enjoy them without restrictions.
DRM in Music Subscriptions:
- iTunes Match: Songs in iTunes Match are matched to the iTunes Store library. If your ripped songs from CDs match these tracks, you can download a DRM-free version. Songs that don't match are typically downloaded with DRM.
- Apple Music Subscription: Songs streamed or downloaded through Apple Music have DRM. However, songs downloaded from Apple Music for offline listening are playable only while your subscription is active.
Understanding the presence of DRM in iTunes content is essential for users looking to manage their media libraries effectively. Whether it's songs, movies, or TV shows, the presence of DRM varies based on how the content was acquired. In the following parts of this guide, we'll explore methods to remove DRM from iTunes, providing users with more control over their digital media.
Part 2. Tools to Remove DRM from iTunes
By using these dedicated DRM removal tools, users can regain control over their iTunes media library, including movies, TV shows, music videos, and songs on any device without the limitations of DRM.
Remove DRM from iTunes Movies, TV Shows, Music Videos, and More
ViWizard M4V Converter:
As one of the largest online stores for digital movies and TV episodes globally, iTunes offers a vast ecosystem for users. However, regardless of the DRM copyright, to gain full control over purchased or rented iTunes movies, a third-party iTunes DRM removal tool is essential.
ViWizard M4V Converter is designed to strip DRM protection from iTunes movies (both rented and purchased), TV series, and music videos. It converts DRM-protected M4V videos to non-DRM formats such as MP4, M4V, MOV, AVI, MKV, MP3, AAC, and more.
One of its standout features is the support for lossless conversion, preserving the original quality of iTunes M4V movies in MP4 and M4V formats. This means retaining AC3 5.1 audio, subtitles, Closed Captions, AD, and more, ensuring you enjoy the same high-quality experience even after the DRM is removed.
Key Features of ViWizard M4V Converter
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- Convert iTunes movie rentals and purchases to common videos
- Handle the conversion of iTunes M4V videos at 30× faster speed
- Preserve multilingual subtitles, closed captions, chapters, and more
- Support playing iTunes M4V videos anywhere and anytime
| Feature | ViWizard M4V Converter |
| Compatible OS | Mac, Windows |
| Java Required | Not Required |
| Supported iTunes Version | iTunes 12.10.2 and later |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Music | No |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Movies | Yes |
| Remove DRM from iTunes TV Shows | Yes |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Audiobooks | No |
How to Remove DRM from iTunes Videos with ViWizard M4V Converter:
Step 1Select Output Video Format as Lossless M4V
Launch ViWizard M4V Converter on your computer. Click on the "Library" button to access your iTunes library. Here, you'll see a list of all the movies, TV shows, and M4V videos you've purchased or rented from the iTunes Store. Select the M4V files you want to convert, either by clicking "OK" after selecting multiple files or by dragging them directly from your iTunes folder into ViWizard.
Step 2Select Output Video Format as Lossless M4V
Once your iTunes M4V files are loaded into ViWizard, they will appear in the main interface. Click on the "Format" option to choose the output format. For a lossless conversion, select "Lossless M4V" as the output format. Additionally, you can customize the output directory by clicking on the "Output" option. This allows you to easily locate the DRM-free M4V videos after conversion.
Step 3Remove DRM and Convert iTunes M4V to DRM-Free
With your settings adjusted, click the "Convert" button to initiate the DRM removal and conversion process. ViWizard will now start removing the DRM encryption from your iTunes movies, converting them into non-DRM M4V video files. Wait for the process to complete, and ViWizard will notify you when your DRM-free M4V videos are ready for access.
Remove DRM from iTunes Music, Audiobooks, Podcasts, and More
ViWizard Audio Converter:
For users subscribed to Apple Music or with a collection of iTunes music files purchased before 2009, the need to liberate these DRM-restricted songs from the Apple ecosystem arises.
Looking for a comprehensive audio and music solution? ViWizard Audio Converter is your answer. This powerful tool can convert various DRM-protected audio formats, including Apple Music, iTunes music, audiobooks, podcasts, Audible files, and even non-DRM audio files, as well as M4P files into common formats like MP3, M4A, WAV, and more.
Key Features of ViWizard Audio Converter
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- Convert songs, albums, and playlists from Apple Music to MP3
- Remove DRM protection from Apple Music, iTunes, and Audible
- Save the converted audios with the original quality and ID3 tags
- Support the conversion of up to 100 audio formats to others
| Feature | ViWizard Audio Converter |
| Compatible OS | Mac, Windows |
| Java Required | Not Required |
| Supported iTunes Version | iTunes 10.6 and later |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Music | Yes |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Movies | No |
| Remove DRM from iTunes TV Shows | No |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Audiobooks | Yes |
How to Remove DRM from iTunes Music with ViWizard Audio Converter:
Step 1Add Audio Files to the Converter
Ensure the Apple Music tracks you want to convert are playable on your computer before proceeding. Launch ViWizard DRM Audio Converter and either drag the audio files directly into the main interface or use the "Load in iTunes" button at the top of the converter to import DRM-protected audios from iTunes.
Step 2Tune Output Parameters and Format
Once all your music files are loaded into ViWizard, navigate to the "Format" tab. Here, select "MP3" as the output format for your DRM-free files. ViWizard offers a variety of input and output format options, so you can also customize the codec, channel, sample rate, and bit rate according to your preferences. After making your selections, remember to click "OK" to save the changes.
Step 3Start to Free Apple Music
With your audio files imported and output settings configured, you're ready to remove the DRM and convert your Apple Music songs to DRM-free formats. Simply click the "Convert" button to initiate the process. ViWizard will begin removing the DRM encryption from your Apple Music tracks and converting them to MP3 or your chosen format.
Step 4Locate the Converted DRM-Free Files
Once the conversion is complete, click on the "Converted" button within ViWizard to access your newly liberated, DRM-free Apple Music files. These files are now free from any restrictions, allowing you to enjoy them on any device or media player of your choice.
Part 3. Manual Method to Remove DRM from iTunes
Requiem is a popular and free tool designed for removing DRM protection from iTunes media, including music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks. It's a manual method, meaning it requires a bit more technical know-how compared to the previously mentioned tools. However, its effectiveness and widespread use make it a valuable option for many users.
| Feature | Requiem |
| Compatible OS | Windows, macOS, Linux* |
| Java Required | Not Required |
| Supported iTunes Version | Up to iTunes 10.7 |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Music | Yes |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Movies | Yes |
| Remove DRM from iTunes TV Shows | Yes |
| Remove DRM from iTunes Audiobooks | Yes |
How to Remove DRM from iTunes Media with Requiem:
- Ensure you have the appropriate version of Requiem for your operating system.
- It's important to note that Requiem only works with iTunes versions up to 10.7, so make sure you have a compatible iTunes version installed.
- Open Requiem on your computer. It will automatically detect your iTunes library.
- Choose the iTunes media files you want to remove DRM from. This can include music, movies, TV shows, or audiobooks.
- Click on the "Start" or "Convert" button to begin the DRM removal process.
- Requiem will work its magic, decrypting the DRM protection from your selected files.
- Once the conversion is complete, Requiem will create DRM-free copies of your media files.
- These files will be saved to a designated folder on your computer.
- You can now enjoy your iTunes music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks without any DRM restrictions.
- Transfer them to any device or media player of your choice for seamless playback.
Extra Tip: Replace Digital Contents with DRM-Free Version
If you've already used DRM removal tools like ViWizard to convert your iTunes media to DRM-free formats, you can easily replace your DRM-protected files with these new, liberated versions. This process ensures complete control and freedom over your digital library without any restrictions.
How to Replace DRM-Protected iTunes Media with DRM-Free Versions:
- Identify the DRM-protected media files in your iTunes library. This includes songs, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks that you have previously converted to DRM-free formats using ViWizard or similar tools.
- Before replacing, organize your iTunes library to easily identify the DRM-protected media you're replacing.
- Create a separate folder or playlist for the new DRM-free versions to keep everything organized.
- For each DRM-protected media item in your iTunes library, delete or move them to another location outside of iTunes.
- This ensures you don't have duplicates or confusion between the DRM-protected and DRM-free versions.
- Now, add the DRM-free versions of your media files to your iTunes library.
- Simply drag and drop the files into iTunes, or use the "File" > "Add to Library" option to import them.
- If necessary, update the metadata (such as song titles, album names, etc.) and artwork for the new DRM-free media.
- Transfer the media to your smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, or burn them to CDs/DVDs for offline use.
Conclusion:
Whether you choose ViWizard's specialized tools for seamless DRM removal or prefer the manual method with Requiem, removing DRM from your iTunes media empowers you with full control over your digital library. Enjoy your favorite music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks without limitations, and experience the true freedom of ownership.
You May Be Interested
A long-time ViWizarder who loves all technological things. In his free time, he likes reading about science and technology, writing for his blog, watching sci-fi films, and meditating.
Leave a Comment (0)