How to Download Apple Music on PC: The Ultimate Guide to Permanent Music Ownership

Apple Music offers a vast library of over 100 million songs, but for PC users, the platform comes with frustrating limitations. The tracks you “download” for offline listening are actually temporary, encrypted files that become unplayable the moment you cancel your subscription or try to use them outside Apple’s ecosystem.

This guide will walk you through the most effective method to permanently download and convert your Apple Music library on a Windows PC, giving you true ownership of your music collection.

Understanding Apple Music’s DRM Protection

Before we dive into the solution, it’s important to understand the problem. Apple Music uses FairPlay DRM (Digital Rights Management) encryption to protect its streaming catalog. When you download a song through the official Apple Music app, the file is encrypted and locked to your Apple ID and subscription status.

This means:

Downloaded songs only work within the Apple Music app
Tracks won’t play on MP3 players, car stereos, or devices outside Apple’s ecosystem
If you cancel your subscription, all your downloaded music becomes unplayable

Standard Apple Music files use the M4P extension—the “P” stands for “Protected”. While iTunes has a built-in MP3 conversion option, it doesn’t work for streaming music as it only applies to unprotected files like CDs you’ve ripped.

The Best Solution: ViWizard Apple Music Converter

ViWizard Apple Music Converter is a professional software solution designed to remove DRM protection from Apple Music tracks and convert them into universal formats like MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV, M4B and AIFF. Unlike screen recording methods that compromise audio quality, ViWizard works directly with the audio stream to preserve original quality while outputting to open formats.

Key Features:

Removes FairPlay DRM from Apple Music and iTunes M4P songs
Converts to MP3 with up to 320 kbps bitrate
Preserves lossless audio quality and ID3 tags (artist, album, artwork)
Batch conversion at up to 30x faster speeds
Built-in Apple Music Web Player for easy browsing

How to Download Apple Music on PC with ViWizard

Step 1: Download and Install ViWizard

Visit the official ViWizard website and download the version for Windows. The installation process is straightforward and should take just a few minutes. ViWizard supports Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions).

Step 2: Sign in to Your Apple Music Account

Open ViWizard and the built-in Apple Music Web Player will appear automatically. Click the “Sign In” button in the bottom-left corner and log in using your Apple ID credentials. This step is essential because ViWizard needs to verify your account to access your subscribed music.

Step 3: Configure Output Settings

Before adding songs, customize your output preferences:

Click the menu icon (☰) in the top-right corner
Select “Preferences”
Under “Conversion,” choose MP3 as the output format for maximum compatibility
Set the bitrate to 320 kbps for the best sound quality, or lower for smaller file sizes
Select a destination folder on your computer where converted files will be saved
You can also adjust sample rate, audio channel, and other parameters

Step 4: Select Your Music

Browse the Apple Music catalog or your personal library directly within ViWizard. Find the songs, albums, or playlists you want to download permanently. Click the “+” button to add selected tracks to the conversion list—you can add as many as you like for batch conversion.

Step 5: Convert and Download

Click the “Convert” button to begin the process. ViWizard will process the files, remove the DRM protection, and save them as high-quality MP3 files to your computer. Thanks to multi-thread audio conversion technology, a 50-track playlist takes only minutes.

What Happens After Conversion?

Once conversion is complete, you’ll find standard MP3 files in your output folder—playable on any device, from MP3 players to car stereos, smartphones, and smart speakers. Here’s what you gain:

Permanent ownership: Files remain usable even after canceling your Apple Music subscription
Cross-platform compatibility: Play music on Android devices, USB drives, or CD players
Creative freedom: Use converted tracks as ringtones, alarm sounds, or video background music
Organized library: ViWizard automatically sorts tracks by Artist/Album or Playlist/Artist while preserving complete metadata

Final Thoughts

Downloading Apple Music on PC with ViWizard Apple Music Converter provides a practical solution to the limitations imposed by DRM protection. Whether you want to back up your library, transfer songs to a portable device, or ensure you never lose your favorite tracks, this tool gives you the freedom to enjoy your music on your terms.

Author Profile

Adam Regan: Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 7 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com