Question: Unable to Convert Purchased AAC Audio File

Question

Level 1

(4 points)

iTunes

Question: Unable to Convert Purchased AAC Audio File

Title says it all, I have music files that I purchased in the itunes store that I am unable to convert to AAC files so that I can play them on my Watch. Error message is "song name" could not be converted because protected files cannot be converted to other formats.

There is no option to re-download this song from itunes. Burning to CD and re-importing is completely ludicrous. I purchased this song from Apple and I should be able to consume it on whatever device I want.

What gives Apple???

Posted on Apr 21, 2020 11:32 AM

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Answer 1

ed2345

Level 8

(48,577 points)

Apple Music

Apr 21, 2020 11:46 AM in response to MC757 In response to MC757

MC,

From that description, it sounds like you downloaded an Apple Music track for offline listening, rather than buying a purchased download. The latter can be converted, the former cannot. To make sure you understand the difference, check out the "Buy" section of this document:

Add and download music from Apple Music or buy music from the iTunes Store

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204839

Apr 21, 2020 11:46 AM

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Answer 2

Apple Music

Answer 3

MC757

Level 1

(4 points)

iTunes

Apr 21, 2020 11:53 AM in response to ed2345 In response to ed2345

Thank you but that assumption is not correct. This song was purchased from the itunes store in 2006 (this info is available on the file itself and also shows my apple ID as the purchaser) well before apple music even existed.

Apr 21, 2020 11:53 AM

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Answer 4

ed2345

Level 8

(48,577 points)

Apple Music

Apr 21, 2020 12:48 PM in response to MC757 In response to MC757

MC - Right-click the track, choose Show in Finder, what do you see?

Apr 21, 2020 12:48 PM

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Answer 5

Apple Music

Answer 6

MC757

Level 1

(4 points)

iTunes

Apr 21, 2020 1:57 PM in response to ed2345 In response to ed2345

I've been on with Apple support who were very helpful but no solution so far.

I'm on a PC so if I right click > show in windows explorer ... it takes me to the directory where the album is stored. (all looks good there)

New info from support chat >> I can right click >> remove download which then populates the cloud icon and lets me re-download the track. But I am still not able to convert the newly downloaded track, same error message.

Apr 21, 2020 1:57 PM

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Answer 7

ed2345

Level 8

(48,577 points)

Apple Music

Apr 22, 2020 4:49 AM in response to MC757 In response to MC757

MC, Yup, for a purchased track, the re-downloaded version should be non-protected. When you look at the downloaded track, can you verify it is in AAC (.m4a) format?

Apr 22, 2020 4:49 AM

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Answer 8

Apple Music

Answer 9

MC757

Level 1

(4 points)

iTunes

Apr 22, 2020 8:15 AM in response to ed2345 In response to ed2345

Just confirmed the re-downloaded track is .m4p just like the others in the album which I cannot convert.

Is Apple going to require me to subscribe to iTunes Match to unlock music that I've already payed for?

That seems absolutely criminal...

Apr 22, 2020 8:15 AM

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Answer 10

Solved

ed2345

Level 8

(48,577 points)

Apple Music

Apr 22, 2020 9:03 AM in response to MC757 In response to MC757

MC757 wrote:

Just confirmed the re-downloaded track is .m4p

No surprise there.

Assuming this was a purchased download later than 2009, you have paid for non-protected tracks. If Apple cannot provide them, request a refund: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204084

Apr 22, 2020 9:03 AM

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Answer 11

Apple Music

Question: Q: Unable to Convert Purchased AAC Audio File

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Question: Unable to Convert Purchased AAC Audio File