How to Convert iTunes Songs to MP3

iTunes has been an excellent choice when it comes to media management apps. The app allows you to add, store, and organize both your audio and video files on your computers. If you are an iTunes user, you likely have your songs stored in the application.

If you have ever tried to play the iTunes songs on another device, you might have found that your files do not play. And there is really nothing wrong with your files. iTunes actually uses an audio format called AAC that many other devices do not support. What that means is all of your songs stored in iTunes are actually in the format that many media players cannot play.

The best way to get those songs to play on other devices is to convert them to a compatible format, like the MP3 format. That way you can access and play your files on any of your devices as MP3 is widely supported and there is hardly and device that does not play this format. The following methods should teach you how to do the task.

Method 1. How to Convert iTunes Songs to MP3 via iTunes

If you are not a big fan of installing third-party apps on your computer to do your tasks, you can use the iTunes app itself to get your files converted. This section is all about how to convert to MP3 in iTunes.

iTunes has a built-in converter that allows you to convert your songs from one format to another. Using the feature, you can get your iTunes AAC music files converted to the MP3 format which will then work on all of your devices and in all of your applications. All that you are going to need is the latest version of iTunes and you are ready to perform the conversion.

Step 1. The first thing you will want to do is to launch the iTunes app on your computer. Open it from your desktop if you are a Windows user or use Launchpad if you are on a Mac.

Step 2. When iTunes opens, select Music from the dropdown menu given at the top-left corner of your screen. It will list out all of your music files in the app.

Step 3. Ensure you are in the Library tab. If you do not click on the Library option at the top of your screen.

Step 4. You will see a full list of all of your songs available in the app. You now need to select the songs that you want to convert to MP3. You can click on a song to select it, and if you wish to select multiple songs, use the Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) keys to do it.

Step 5. Once you have made a selection, click on the File menu at the top and select the option that says Convert followed by Create MP3 Version. It will let you create the MP3 version of your selected songs.

When your songs are converted, they will be available in the app for you to play. You can now get rid of the older AAC format songs as you no longer need them. Your MP3 songs are just the same as your AAC songs except for the difference in file format.

You can also use the above procedure to convert WAV to MP3 in iTunes. The method can also be used to convert MP4 to MP3 but you will lose your video content since MP4 files are usually video files.

Method 2. How to Convert iTunes Songs to MP3 with AnyTrans

While iTunes gets the job done for you, it does take quite some effort to produce expected results. If you do not want that hassle and you would prefer a straightforward method to convert your iTunes songs to MP3, there is an app that can help you out.

AnyTrans is a full iOS device management app but it allows you to convert your iTunes songs as well. The following should teach you how to use AnyTrans to convert iTunes songs to MP3:

Step 1. Download AnyTrans on your computer and open it > Click on “AnyTrans” and choose “Preferences”. If you want to send the converted music to your iOS device, just connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.

Step 2. Click on Transcoding > Enable the option that says “I’d like to convert audio files to MP3 format for smaller file size” > Click on the “Save” button to save your settings.

Step 3. Head back to the main app interface and click on the iTunes Library mode > Select the songs you want to convert to MP3 and click on either To Computer or To iPhone button at the top.

Step 4. Once the songs are converted, you will find them either on your device or on your computer depending on what option you chose in the previous step.

The Bottom Line

If you are having difficulties playing iTunes songs on your other devices, check out our guide above that lets you convert your iTunes songs to a more widely compatible MP3 format. You should then be able to play your songs on all of your devices.