Instructions to remove DRM from old songs resulted in songs being deleted w/o being replaced DRM-free

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Level 1

8 points

Instructions to remove DRM from old songs resulted in songs being deleted w/o being replaced DRM-free

I'm trying to remove DRM from old songs in my library that have a Matched status. I have iTunes Match and followed the instructions posted in iTunes Help. As directed, I deleted an album and a song and tried to re-add them thru Store/Quick Links/Purchased. Both the album and song were "not found". Now I've lost these items from my library and am unable to reload them as DRM-free.

Help! Is there a safe process to remove DRM from old music? Can my former DRM protected music be recovered?

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Dec 4, 2019 1:45 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

277,997 points

Dec 4, 2019 2:02 PM in response to Newbie288

See Hide and unhide music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and books - Apple Support and Redownload apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books from the App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple Books - Apple Support. Unhide and redownload the DRM purchases.

Once the purchases are stored on your computer again and shown in your library as matched, right-click and use the Remove Download option, then click the cloud symbol to download a DRM free copy. Back those up straight away. See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy - Apple Community for a suggested approach to backing up everything.

tt2

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Answer 2

Newbie288 Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 4, 2019 2:44 PM in response to turingtest2

tt2,

Thank you for your quick response. I tested your DRM removal process with one song. How can I tell if the downloaded replacement song is DRM free? Is there a way to convert all the purchased songs at once or do I have to convert each one individually?

Newbie

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

277,997 points

Dec 4, 2019 6:06 PM in response to Newbie288

Use the Songs layout. Check the Kind column. You can select multiple tracks and use the same Remove Download > Download process. You can sort on the Kind column to locate the Protected AAC files that need to be upgraded.

tt2

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Instructions to remove DRM from old songs resulted in songs being deleted w/o being replaced DRM-free

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