Why downloads are .movpkg files to be opened with TV+ app?

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Why downloads are .movpkg files to be opened with TV+ app?

I just noticed that audio downloads have the extension of .movpkg and the default app to open them is the TV+ app. And, indeed, just double-clicking then in Finder does open the TV+ app and not Music app. Of course playing these files from the Music app does work.

So I don't so much have a problem as much as I am very curious.

Any insights? Is there something about my system or is it normal? I expected a more audio specific file extension.

Ventura 13.4.1

Music 1.3.5.8

MacBook Air, macOS 13.5

Posted on Aug 3, 2023 8:23 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

278,119 points

Aug 4, 2023 9:50 AM in response to timothylance

.movpkg is a protected streaming format Apple uses to both deliver and store lossless tracks. You should only attempt to play them from within the Apple Music app which will handle the DRM. These files should only appear within the Apple Music subfolder within your media folder, and are normal.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,119 points

Jan 3, 2024 1:27 AM in response to MrMacMan

If they have become disassociated with your Apple Music library then I'm pretty sure your only option is to delete and redownload. In my experience iTunes and Apple Music won't add such tracks back into the library once they have been removed.

tt2

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Answer 3

timothylance Author

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Aug 3, 2023 8:27 AM in response to timothylance

To be clear ...

The above notes a MacBook Air with Ventura 13.5 as that is the machine used to make the post but the machine with the issue in question is a M1 iMac. Also, if it matters, I am downloading as a Music subscriber and not making purchases.

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Answer 4

timothylance Author

Level 1

80 points

Aug 4, 2023 11:33 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks! What I figured, other than something funky with my system. I haven't messed with Apple Music/iTunes in years. Back in the day the tunes that were DRMd still had an "audio" extension/filetype.

I'm old enough not to give a flip why Apple chose the .movpkg extension. Just glad it works.

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