iTunes can convert many compatible, unprotected songs to MP3, but it cannot convert every track in your library. The key difference is the file’s source and protection status: Apple says iTunes Store purchases can be converted only if they are iTunes Plus, while older purchases encoded as Protected AAC cannot be converted. Set MP3 as the import format first, then use the conversion command for a compatible song.
Why some iTunes songs will not convert to MP3
The conversion command changes a song’s encoding; it does not remove copy protection. Apple states that iTunes Store purchases can be converted only if they are iTunes Plus songs. On the Mac Music app, Apple says older purchased songs encoded in Protected AAC cannot be converted. If a song is protected, changing the import setting or trying another conversion command will not make it an MP3.
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For other files, the command may be missing simply because the target format is not set to MP3. The menu follows the selected import preference, so choose MP3 before trying to create a copy.
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Set MP3 as the import format and convert a compatible song
Windows: iTunes
- Open iTunes and choose Edit > Preferences.
- On the General tab, select Import Settings.
- Set Import Using to MP3 Encoder, then save the setting.
- Select a compatible song in your library and choose File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.
iTunes adds an MP3 copy to the library; the original remains there too. Apple’s instructions cover iTunes on PC and specify that Store purchases must be iTunes Plus: Apple Support: Convert music file formats in iTunes on PC.
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Mac: Music app
- Open Music and choose Music > Settings.
- Open Files > Import Settings.
- Choose MP3 as the encoding format and save the setting.
- Select a compatible song and choose File > Convert > Convert to [import preference]. The command reflects the import format you selected.
The original song stays in the library alongside the converted copy. Apple’s Mac instructions also explain the limitation on older Protected AAC purchases: Apple Support: Convert a song to a different file format in Music on Mac.
What to do when “Create MP3 Version” is missing or unavailable
- Check the import format: If the import preference is AAC or another format, the menu may offer conversion to that format instead. Set it to MP3 and check again.
- Check the song’s source and rights status: Apple documents conversion for iTunes Store purchases only when they are iTunes Plus. Older Protected AAC purchases cannot be converted in Music on Mac.
- Identify subscription downloads by their actual status: Apple’s cited guidance here does not establish a universal conversion rule for Apple Music subscription downloads across Windows and Mac. Do not assume that all such downloads behave like unprotected files or like older purchased tracks.
- Use the original source if available: If the song came from a CD you own, import it again using MP3 settings rather than trying to convert a protected library copy.
If your source is an audio CD
Set the CD import encoding to MP3 before importing. In Windows iTunes, open Edit > Preferences > General > Import Settings and select MP3 Encoder, then import the disc. Apple lists MP3 among iTunes’ CD import encodings and notes that the chosen encoding affects file size and audio quality: Apple Support: Change import settings in iTunes on PC.
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If your computer has no optical drive, an external USB CD/DVD drive may let you import a disc. It will not help convert a protected downloaded track.
Will converting to MP3 improve sound quality?
No. Converting a compressed file to a different format cannot restore audio information already discarded. Converting between compressed formats, such as AAC and MP3, may reduce quality further. Converting an MP3 to an uncompressed format such as WAV or AIFF creates a larger file, not a higher-quality version of the original audio.
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When you have the original CD or another original source, import or obtain the song from that source using the encoding you want. Apple recommends going back to the original source when you need a different format: Apple Support: About lossless audio in Apple Music.
Quick Recap
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