alacy52
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: DRM removal

With iTunes Plus gone, what are my options to remove DRM from older downloads? I have a large enough number that burning to discs then ripping them again is not practical.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), iPod Fifth Gen. 160GB

Posted on Dec 5, 2012 10:43 PM

Close
alacy52

Q: DRM removal

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by double_ohh7,

    double_ohh7 double_ohh7 Jan 5, 2013 5:13 AM in response to alacy52
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Jan 5, 2013 5:13 AM in response to alacy52

    I'd like to know the same thing.  I have about 220 tracks that won't play on my phone because they have DRM.  I read somewhere that if you start a new library and re-download them now they won't have the DRM but I just did that and they do.  I know I can burn to CD and re-import them but they will also loos all track info whcih is a large pain in the behind.

     

    Any ideas...?   Failing an easy technical way I'll just torrent them from somewhere.

     

     

    Oh yeah, before any says it, I dont use an iphone which is why they don't play on my phone.

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Jan 5, 2013 5:50 AM in response to alacy52
    Level 7 (24,998 points)
    Jan 5, 2013 5:50 AM in response to alacy52

    alacy52 wrote:

     

    With iTunes Plus gone, what are my options to remove DRM from older downloads? I have a large enough number that burning to discs then ripping them again is not practical.

     

    iTunes Plus is not gone, but the offer by which you could upgrade tracks for 30 cents apiece ended a few months ago.

     

    The best way now is to subscribe to iTunes Match.  Then you can upgrade to the matched versions.  It works pretty simply, per this document:

     

    Can I upgrade my previously purchased music to iTunes Plus?

    Yes. If you subscribe to iTunes Match, you can download your previously purchased music again in the iTunes Plus format. To do so:

    1. You need to delete the original DRM song from your library first. Doing this enables you to download the song again in the iTunes Plus format from iTunes in the Cloud.
    2. Click the Purchased tab in the iTunes Store.
    3. Click Music.
    4. Locate the artist of the song you want to upgrade.
    5. Click the iCloud Download icon next to the song you want to upgrade.

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Jan 5, 2013 5:52 AM in response to double_ohh7
    Level 7 (24,998 points)
    Jan 5, 2013 5:52 AM in response to double_ohh7

    double_ohh7 wrote:

     

    I'd like to know the same thing.  I have about 220 tracks that won't play on my phone because they have DRM.  I read somewhere that if you start a new library and re-download them now they won't have the DRM but I just did that and they do.

    As you discovered, redownloads from the cloud will just give you the same DRM versions again.  To get the Plus versions, you need to subscribe to Match, and download the matched versions.  See my response to Alacy.

  • by double_ohh7,

    double_ohh7 double_ohh7 Jan 5, 2013 5:54 AM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Jan 5, 2013 5:54 AM in response to ed2345

    Thanks Ed, I'll take a look.