12.6 itunes convert to mp3?

It used to be easy to convert to mp3 but now I am missing something.

I have the import preferences changed to MP3 Encoder.

But there is not an option to "create new version" under the file tab.

The convert option under the file tab is all greyed out... but it does show MP3.


What am I missing here?


Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks!!

Posted on Apr 1, 2017 11:58 AM

Reply
16 replies

Jul 5, 2017 4:13 PM in response to Toby's mom

Apple changed the method of converting music files in the latest software. Now to

Convert a song's file format

  1. Choose iTunes > Preferences, click General, and click Import Settings.
  2. In the Import Using pop-up menu, choose the format you want to convert songs to, and click OK to save the settings.
  3. Select one or more songs in your library and choose File > Convert > Create [format] Version.

Apr 1, 2017 12:58 PM in response to Toby's mom

Toby's mom wrote:


Thanks ed2345...
Right now the music is all on his iphone.

So I should transfer the music to his computer first, then convert to mp3?

The bottom line is he wants to listen to his music in media player on his computer.

Yes. Files on devices cannot be edited or converted.

The files need to be on the PC/Mac within the iTunes Library to be modified or converted. They also need to be non DRM protected, nowadays that mostly means not an Apple Music file (downloaded from the streaming service).


You may have difficulty copying files to iTunes if they were copied to the device on another PC, ask if you get stuck or need help.

Apr 23, 2017 4:06 AM in response to ed2345

I have the same problem, but I'm trying to convert an iphone voice memo (.m4a) file.

The track is highlighted, it is not protected, it is local on my computer and it's a voice memo so it's not apple music.

However, all the convert options remain grayed out.


What other settings need to be adjusted? Why is this not documented properly? (Let alone why does it not work?)


And why isn't there another way of converting a voice memo to a usable format on other devices?

Apr 23, 2017 8:28 AM in response to paul1957oy

paul1957oy wrote:


I have the same problem, but I'm trying to convert an iphone voice memo (.m4a) file.

The track is highlighted, it is not protected, it is local on my computer and it's a voice memo so it's not apple music.

However, all the convert options remain grayed out.


What other settings need to be adjusted?


Paul,

Right-click the track in iTunes, Get Info, look at the Options tab. Change the Media Kind to Music. Then it will convert like any other track.

Apr 24, 2017 1:06 AM in response to ed2345

The Media Kind remains grayed-out as 'Voice Memo' and I cannot change it.


Any other suggestions?


ps - who is the product manager who allowed this insane software bug to become policy?!?!? Really - it's a Voice Memo and there should be absolutely no reason to have to change the media kind to 'music' force it to work. Apple should be fixing the software so that it functions properly - and if not, then it should be clearly documented that the iTunes software does not support converting Voice Memos from the m4a format to anything else. It's crazy that I have to waste my valuable time trying to get the software to work. I expect that from Microsoft, not Apple.


Where do I file a bug report?

May 4, 2017 11:12 AM in response to Drew Reece

Hi

I am trying to convert songs to mp3 that I have purchased and downloaded from itunes store to my itunes library version 12.6. After having changed the Import Settings to MP3 encoder, selcected the downloaded track that is not in a shared library, the convert function remains grey.

Is the this due to the fact that the material cannot be converted? How do I find this out?


Please help spent 3 dyas with this on various devices and am at my wits end!

Jul 8, 2017 6:50 AM in response to mellomjj

mellomjj wrote:


Hey! I have a quick question!


Is there a way to convert protected files to AAC

I used to be able to make my own ringtones from downloaded songs but now I can't.


Please help, thank you!

If you mean protected audio files that you purchased at the iTunes Store pre-2009, you can upgrade them via iTunes Match.


If it is an Apple Music file, then no, there is not a way.

Jul 11, 2017 1:22 AM in response to mellomjj

mellomjj:

Go to Edit/Preferences/General>Import Settings and change the Import Using drop-down option to MP3 Encoder.


Having done this, when you now choose File/Convert you will see the Create MP3 Version.


Note that the Import using option refers to importing a CD to your iTunes library, so if you wish future CD imports to be in AAC version, you will need to change the Import Using back to AAC.

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12.6 itunes convert to mp3?

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