When using iTunes or Apple Music, you’ll encounter various labels on your audio files. This article explains what they mean, their history, and how DRM-protected tracks could be upgraded.
Apple Music AAC audio file
- Format: AAC, part of Apple Music subscription
- DRM: Yes (playback only with active subscription on authorized devices)
- Ownership: You don’t own the file. Access ends with subscription
Purchased AAC audio file (.m4a, iTunes Plus)
- Format: AAC, purchased from iTunes Store after April 2009
- DRM: No (256 kbps, DRM-free — known as “iTunes Plus”)
- Ownership: Fully yours. Transferable to any device
- Extension:
.m4a
Protected AAC audio file (.m4p)
- Format: AAC, purchased before April 7, 2009
- DRM: Yes (FairPlay-protected. Limited to authorized devices)
- Ownership: You own it, but it’s restricted (
.m4p)
iTunes Plus
- Introduction: April to May 2007. EMI offered 256 kbps DRM-free tracks. Later adopted by all major labels
- January 2009: Entire iTunes Store went DRM-free. Users could upgrade older purchases for a small fee (approx. $0.30 per song)
iTunes Match (launched November 14, 2011)
- Uploads or matches your library in iCloud. Matched songs become DRM-free 256 kbps AAC. Unmatched songs are uploaded
- Cost: Approx. $24.99/year. Matched files stay DRM-free even after cancellation
- Allowed replacement of old DRM-protected files with DRM-free versions
Matched AAC audio file
- Your CD rips or local files matched to iTunes catalog
- Downloadable as DRM-free 256 kbps AAC via iTunes Match or Apple Music
Uploaded AAC audio file
- Tracks that didn’t match the catalog
- Uploaded and stored as your original file (MP3, AAC, WAV, or AIFF). DRM-free
Other common file types
- MPEG audio file (MP3): Common import format from CDs
- WAV / AIFF: Uncompressed, CD-quality audio
- ALAC (Apple Lossless): Lossless compression introduced in 2004. Now widely used on Apple Music
Quick overview
| Type | DRM? | Bitrate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music AAC | Yes | ~256 kbps | Apple Music subscription |
| Purchased AAC (iTunes Plus) | No | 256 kbps | iTunes Store purchase (2009 and up) |
| Protected AAC (.m4p) | Yes | 128–256 kbps | Pre-2009 iTunes purchase |
| Matched AAC | No | 256 kbps | iTunes Match or Apple Music |
| Uploaded AAC | No | Original | Unmatched library music via Match |
| MP3 / WAV / AIFF / ALAC | No | Varies | Imported or CD-ripped files |
Historical context
- 2003: iTunes Store launches. All music DRM-protected (128 kbps AAC, FairPlay)
- 2007: EMI launches iTunes Plus (DRM-free, 256 kbps tracks)
- January 2009: All major labels offer DRM-free music. Apple allows paid upgrades
- November 2011: iTunes Match launches, enabling cloud upgrades to DRM-free audio
How to get DRM-free versions of old purchases
- Use iTunes Match: Subscribe. Delete
.m4p. Re-download matched DRM-free.m4a. These files remain yours even after cancellation - Upgrade via iTunes Store (pre-2012): Paid upgrade of DRM tracks to iTunes Plus
- Alternative: Burn DRM files to CD. Then re-rip — this legally produces unprotected copies
Notes
- Apple Music downloads remain DRM-protected even with iTunes Match
- Some matched songs may come from a different album or version via Apple’s cloud
Summary
.m4p: Old DRM-protected purchases.m4a: DRM-free (whether purchased after 2009, matched via cloud, or uploaded)- DRM ended in 2009. iTunes Match helped convert old purchases in 2011
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