Top 5 Best DRM Removal Mac Free Software 2025
Summary: Are you looking for the best DRM converter Mac software to remove iTunes DRM protection? Having a DRM remover free Mac program at hand will enable you to access DRM-free iTunes movies and music for offline play without limit. You have come to the right page. This post lists the top 5 best DRM converters for Mac used to remove DRM from iTunes videos, audiobooks, and Apple Music on Mac easily.
What Is a DRM Removal Tool & What Can It Do
You know how you buy a movie on iTunes, but then it won’t play anywhere else? A DRM removal tool is what fixes that. It unlocks the “locked” file (like your M4V), strips away those restrictions, and turns it into a format your Mac or other devices can actually use—usually something like MP4 or MOV.
- Local laws vary: In some regions, bypassing DRM—even for personal use—is restricted.
- Platform / service rules: Apple’s terms usually forbid DRM removal, no matter local law.So, use these tools only for content you legally own, and only for your private viewing—don’t redistribute or commercialize.
If you've ever purchased an Apple TV (or iTunes) movie only to find it can only be played on Apple devices, with no reliable way to remove DRM on a Mac, you're not alone. According to the latest information, songs sold on the iTunes Store after 2009 no longer include DRM, but iTunes movies and TV shows still use DRM to restrict viewing. This means that legitimate videos remain locked within the Apple ecosystem, and to truly use them freely, tools are still required.
This article will focus on a review of the Top 5 iTunes DRM removal tools for Mac, providing an objective introduction to each tool's system compatibility, pros and cons, and whether they offer a free trial, helping you find the best solution for your needs.
Legal & Compliance Notes:
- Use is strictly for personal, non-commercial viewing—don’t share, distribute, resell, or use for profit.
- Laws and platform rules differ across regions; you must obey your local copyright laws and the platform’s terms.
- How the output looks—quality, audio tracks, subtitles—can be restricted by your account, region, or platform settings.
- If a site is redesigned or DRM systems upgraded, methods that worked before may stop working—so tools need updates.
- When dealing with third-party content, always honor original copyright and retain proper rights notices.
Top 5 iTune DRM Removal for Mac in 2025
1. DVDFab Mac DRM Removal for Apple
DVDFab DRM Removal for Apple used to be one of the go-to tools for removing iTunes DRM on Mac. It lets you decrypt iTunes media content (movies, TV shows, even songs) and convert M4V files to MP4 or extract audio, all in just a few clicks.
However, there are important caveats:
- It works reliably only for files purchased under iTunes version 12.9.0.167 or earlier, and only on macOS Catalina or earlier systems.
- For newer iTunes purchases or systems running macOS Monterey, Ventura, or later, this legacy tool may no longer function properly. If that’s your case, you may want to look at convert iTunes M4V to MP4 for updated methods.
- DVDFab now recommends using its upgraded tool, StreamFab Video Downloader, which supports more modern DRM schemes and streaming site encryption. That said, even StreamFab’s free version is limited (for example, you may only download a few titles for free).
Use DVDFab DRM Removal for Apple only on compatible systems and content. For newer content or systems, you’ll want a tool that’s actively updated to keep pace with evolving DRM protections.
Step-by-Step Guide
2. M4VGear Converter for Mac
M4VGear Converter for Mac is one of the best Apple Music DRM removal tools for Mac software programs that can remove DRM protection and convert iTunes videos to non-DRM videos in formats like MP4, MOV, M4V, MPG, AVI, and more. There are also some optimized presets, which allow you to convert the iTunes resources to devices like iPhone 6, Apple TV, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, and more. The removal would be lossless if you choose the output video format as MP4 or M4V. Same with DVDFab Mac DRM Removal for Apple, M4VGear DRM remover Mac program supports both iTunes purchases and rentals, but it cannot deal with the FairPlay DRM on iTunes Music.
Besides, several review websites once hailed M4VGear as "one of the world's fastest" iTunes DRM removal tools, supporting both Windows and Mac versions. However, most reviews were last updated years ago, and the actual user-downloadable version, such as 4.3.8, dates back to 2018. This suggests the software is feature-complete but has clearly lagged in maintenance and updates.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Add Files
Click “Add Movies” (or drag in *.m4v files). Only iTunes-protected M4V videos will be accepted.
Step 2: Choose Output Format
Use the menu in the bottom left to pick formats like MP4, MOV, WMV, etc. “Same as source for mp4/mov” is ideal for lossless conversion.
Step 3: Select Audio / Subtitles & Output Folder
Pick which audio tracks and subtitles to include. To change where results go, set the output directory in Preferences.
Step 4: Start Conversion
Hit “Convert” — the app may automatically open iTunes if needed.
Step 5: See History / Access Output
Once done, click “History” to view records and locate your completed files.
3. Ondesoft iTunes DRM Media Converter Mac
Ondesoft iTunes DRM Media Converter Mac is one of the best DRM removal tools for Mac that can remove DRM from iTunes movies, TV shows, and music Videos and output lossless MP4 files that can be played on any video player. It can strip DRM from both the video rentals and purchases and allows you to keep these iTunes files forever. With this Mac DRM removal, the original video and audio will be retained, including the 1080p HD video quality, AC3 Dolby 5.1, AD, audio tracks, subtitles, and closed captions. However, you cannot remove DRM protection from iTunes and Apple Music files with this DRM converter for Mac.
Many tech blogs and user reviews point out that Ondesoft remains one of the relatively active options in the field of DRM video processing, but most updates stopped around 2023–2024, with no significant improvements in system support as of 2025. In other words, the software's functionality is relatively stable, but maintenance and upgrades are slightly lagging.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Install & Launch
Download, install, and open Ondesoft iTunes DRM Media Converter on your Mac or Windows.
Step 2: Add iTunes M4V Files
Click “Add File(s)” at the top and select the M4V files from your iTunes library. Only DRM-protected iTunes M4V files can be added.
Step 3: Choose Output Format & Settings
By default, Ondesoft preserves all original audio tracks and subtitles. You can change output format or adjust subtitle/audio preferences if needed.
Step 4: Start Conversion
Click the “Convert” button. Ondesoft will remove DRM and convert M4V to MP4. After conversion, click “Locate Output” to find your converted file.
4. Tune4Mac
Tune4Mac iTunes Video Converter is a full-featured iTunes DRM removal and video converter for Mac. It can convert the original DRM-protected M4V videos and movies to MOV, MP4, FLV, AVI, etc., various devices like iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, Sony PSP, etc., and formats supported by websites like YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, etc. More advanced than other iTunes video converters, it also provides customization options that allow you to change the video size, bit rate, and language for the converted movies. It is also possible to convert iTunes videos to MP3, WAV, and AAC audio formats.
If you're using an older macOS version (like macOS Sierra or earlier) or have video content purchased from legacy iTunes, you can test Tune4Mac's compatibility with its free trial. For newer systems or content from the updated Apple TV app, I recommend using more actively maintained tools instead.
5. NoteBurner M4V Converter Plus for Mac
NoteBurner is a great M4V DRM removal tool for Mac users. It can remove DRM from both purchased and rented iTunes M4V videos and movies. Moreover, it can convert iTunes M4V files to other formats including MP4, AVI, MPG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, 3GP, 3G2, FLV, etc., and support devices like Motorola, Samsung Galaxy, LG, Sony, etc. Before conversion, if you choose the Same source option, you can get a lossless and DRM-free video. It comes with many customization tools, which allow you to clip the iTunes video and change the parameters like codec, bitrate, size, audio channel, and more. Same with DRM removals like Tune4Mac and others, this M4V converter Mac tool is dedicated to coping with iTunes videos, and if you want to remove DRM from iTunes audiobooks and Apple Music, you have to find another iTunes audio converter.
Many Reddit and forum users praise NoteBurner as "one of the few tools still functional on older system versions." However, some report inconsistent compatibility with newer Apple TV DRM, noting lower success rates on macOS Monterey and Big Sur.
Free Tool Instructions and Alternative Methods
To be honest, I've also expected the free DRM removal tools, but as of 2025, there are very few truly usable free DRM removal solutions for Mac available on the market.
According to information, Requiem was once a free tool used to remove DRM from older versions of iTunes, but it has been discontinued for years and is only compatible with iTunes 10.7 and earlier versions, with no support for rental content or newer systems. As a result, Requiem is practically unusable for modern Mac users.
Other tools (such as ViWizard M4V Converter) offer free trials, but they are paid software, not fully free options. Overall, there are currently almost no truly permanent free DRM removal tools for the Mac platform.
Overall Comparison Between iTunes DRM Removal for Mac
- The five tools above are solid options—you can pick whichever best fits your setup and needs. If I had to pick one, I’d go with StreamFab—its stability and download speed make it a standout.
| Removals | Supported System | Trial | Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| DVDFab DRM Removal for Apple |
macOS Catalina and earlier; iTunes 12.9 and earlier |
✅
|
Integrated into StreamFab with fewer updates |
| M4VGear DRM Media Converter | macOS 10.12 and earlier | ✅ | Fewer updates |
| Ondesoft DRM Media Converter | macOS Sierra to Big Sur | ✅(Limited functions) | Fewer updates |
| Tune4Mac Converter | Older macOS (10.7–10.12) | ✅ | Fewer updates |
| NoteBurner M4V Converter Plus |
macOS up to Ventura (13) |
✅(Only the first 5 minutes) |
Officially claims support for macOS 13, maintenance is decent |
FAQs
1. Will removing DRM reduce video quality?
A: From my tests, not noticeably — if I match the resolution, it plays just like the original.
2. Can I run these tools on Apple Silicon Macs (M1 / M2)?
A: Yes — but only those that explicitly support ARM architecture. I always pick tools that state they’re compatible with M1/M2/M3.
3. What if the tool stops working after a macOS or DRM update?
A: That happens. You’ll need to check for updates or use a fallback tool until compatibility is restored.
4. Can audio tracks and subtitles be preserved?
A: Yes, many tools support that. In my use, I’ve seen original subtitles and multiple audio tracks retained — provided the tool supports that feature.
5. What should I do if conversion fails or the file won’t play?
A: Check tool version, OS compatibility, and try again. Always keep a backup of the original file before converting.
In most countries (including the U.S.):
- Removing DRM for personal backup purposes is generally considered fair use.
- However, distributing, sharing, or commercializing such content is illegal.
Additionally, the DMCA explicitly prohibits decrypting DRM, though legal action is rarely taken against individual users. Community forums caution: Do not share converted files, as this may violate copyright laws.
Final Thought
Now you know the top 5 best free DRM removal software Mac to make legal backups of iTunes media files, and some of them allow you to deal with files from Apple Music and convert iTunes m4v to mp4. Anyway, you need to choose the right DRM removal Mac solutions that suit all your needs.
