m4p files

Prior to 2010 Apple sold 128k DRM protected AAC music which would be stored with a .m4p file extension. When they switched to selling 256k DRM free tracks, initially referred to as iTunes Plus, there was a period when you could pay a small fee to upgrade individual tracks. When iTunes Match was introduced one of its features was that it would let you upgrade any old-school DRM protected music purchases. This process isn't automatic. You need to subscribe to iTunes Match and let it match/upload your library first. Once they have been matched you can remove the downloads of your 128k DRM purchases, then you should be able to download DRM free matched copies. You can keep and play these copies after your subscription ends. An alternative approach is to burn these old purchases to CD, then rip back to MP3 or AAC files, however unlike upgrading with iTunes Match that will introduce a small loss of quality rather than improving it.

iTunes Match cannot be used to remove the DRM from Apple Music content. If the .m4p file you want to play in Sonos come from an Apple Music subscription you will need to purchase the tracks.

Note also that DRM protection is embedded into the file and any copies of it. Changing the file extension does not remove this protection.

tt2

Stephen Patterson1 Said:

"m4p files: I have iTunes match. I understand (?) that Apple will allow m4p format to be converted to m4a, which I need to do for a lot of my library so I can play the tunes in Sonos. Is this right, and if sop, how?"

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Duplicate's Extension:

The best way of doing that would be to duplicate it, and change the extension of the duplicate. So, right-click on the item, and then select "Duplicate." Once the duplicate Is created, modify the extension if the duplicate from m4p to m4a.

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2