How to Convert M4P to M4A (Removing DRM)

"Does convert M4P to M4A can allow me to play my iTunes music on other players? So how can I change it to another format? Can anyone help me please?"

To enjoy music from iTunes offline on your players like Android phone, tablet, and MP3 player, etc. You need to convert M4P, and more importantly, remove DRM restriction. Apart from M4A, more music output formats are available, as long as your player device supports the file type.

Then, what you need and what to do? In this post, you'll find the answer to convert M4P into M4A meanwhile removing DRM protection.

Part 1. Know More about M4P & M4A

Part 2. Convert M4P to M4A with DRmare

Part 3. Convert M4P to M4A via iTunes Match

Part 4. Convert M4P to M4A Online Free

Part 1. Know More about M4P & M4A

Before the conversion, we need to first figure out what is M4P and M4A and what differences do the two formats have so that we can have a better understanding of these two kinds of files.

Difference Between M4P & M4A

Generally, both M4P and M4A are audio formats, but differences must exist to explain why you can play M4A file on any other players but play M4P only on iTunes.

M4P

This is a streaming media encoded with AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) with DRM protection. Simply speaking, M4P can only play on a specific player like iTunes, the same as the .ogg format for Spotify and .ncm for NetEase cloud music.

1. Encoded with AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

2. DRM-protected

3. Only play on specific players like iTunes

M4A

On the contrary, M4A or MPEG-4, is encoded with AAC and ALAC (Apple lossless audio codec) without DRM protection, which allows this kind of music to play on almost all players. Because the similarities between M4A and MP3, some M4A files can be converted into MP3 files only by changing the extension to .mp3.

1. Encoded with AAC or ALAC (Apple lossless audio codec)

2. No DRM protection

3. Available to play on almost all players

Keep reading, and find the suitable M4P to M4A converter.

Part 2. Convert M4P to M4A with DRmare

Now we can start to convert M4P to M4A! To achieve a better result, we introduce a professional converter, DRmare Audio Converter, which help you convert the Apple music files at 30X faster speed without any quality loss. Meanwhile, DRM protection will be removed.

Moreover, you also can set other music file type as output format, such as converting M4P to Mp3.

Now, check how to convert M4P to M4A with iTunes DRM protection removal.

Step 1. Install and launch DRmare Audio Converter on your PC. The functions for each button are described as the picture shows.

Step 2. Drag M4P files to the blank area or you can click on the "Add" button to import the M4P files.

Step 3. Then format setting the output as M4A files. Other details such as Bit Rate, Codec, Sample Rate can be set.

Step 4. Click on the "Convert" button and wait for its finish.

Step 5. Now you can play the converted M4A music on other players.

Part 3. Convert M4P to M4A via iTunes Match

For Apple users, iTunes Match is introduced for more convenient music listening. Its $25 per year cost support you to listening all music from iTunes on any other iOS devices and the music there are DRM-free. So, to unprotect M4P, you just need to re-download the music.

Learn the steps to convert M4P to M4A with iTunes Match.

Step 1. First, you have to delete all DRM-protected music for the subsequent re-download.

Step 2. Launch iTunes.

Step 3. Find Purchased and then Music.

Step 4. Choose the music you want to convert.

Step 5. Click on the Download button next to the song.

And iTunes Match is officially released by Apple Inc. in 2013, in other words, it's safe to use. However, its yearly cost is not so cost effective as a pro-Apple Music converter which says $39.95 for a lifetime license.

Part 4. Convert M4P to M4A Online Free

Online channel is also provided here if the extra software is not a suitable choice for you. FileZigZag is an effective online converter engaging in multiple files conversions, including converting M4P to M4A.

For your convenience, you can go to filezigzag.com/m4p-m4a-en.aspx. It's free, but it has its downside: big file size and busy server make the time of conversion takes long.

The Steps to convert M4P to M4A online are as below:

Step 1. Follow the instructions to add files by dragging files to the marked blank area.

Step 2. Select the output format.

Step 3. Type your e-mail address for informing you of the progress.

Step 4. Click on the Convert button.

Step 5. Click on the link to download the converted music.

Note: a prompt will shows up to indicate the progress of the conversion.

The Bottom Line

That's it, guys! Now you can convert M4P to M4A and don't need to worry about playing M4P music only on iTunes! This post has not only introduced the definition and difference for the 2 audio types, but also 3 solutions to convert M4P to DRM-free M4A. Now enjoy your M4A music on any other players and have a good day!

If you have any suggestions or better alternatives, please leave your comment. It's so grateful for your share!