Top 5 iTunes DRM Removal Tools You Must Know in 2025

This article was written by editors in the field of digital media and content compliance. All steps and screenshots are based on the current version tests and have been verified in both Windows and macOS environments.

If you’ve ever bought a movie on iTunes and couldn’t play it on your Android tablet or smart TV — yeah, I’ve been there. Or maybe you downloaded a season of your favorite show, hoping to watch it offline on a flight, only to find it won’t open outside the Apple TV app. That’s not a bug: it’s DRM doing its job.

I do not seek to infringe upon copyrights; I’ve seen tons of frustrated posts on Reddit and Quora lately from users asking, “Is there anything left that still works?” So, I'll walk you through 5 DRM removal tools — some old-school classics, some still actively updated, and a couple of smart workarounds that you might not know about. I tested each one to see what actually works in 2025, what doesn’t, and how you can still unlock the content you already paid for.

2025 Update: Apple’s DRM Got Tougher

Apple’s DRM limits what you can do with content you legally purchased. You can’t easily back it up, share it across devices, or play it in apps like VLC or Plex. And for music fans, Apple Music tracks vanish the second your subscription ends.

Typical workflow of DRM removal tools.

And here’s what’s new: in recent years, Apple has phased out traditional iTunes for many users (especially on macOS), pushing most video playback into the Apple TV app. That app doesn't allow third-party tools to access the raw movie files, and the latest DRM encryption can’t be bypassed using the old tricks. To be specific, since iTunes 12.10+, many tools that used to “just work” for removing DRM… now don’t. Even popular software like TunesKit or DVDFab’s older DRM modules have hit compatibility walls.

Is It Legal to Remove iTunes DRM with the Removal Tools?

It depends on where you live and how you use the content. In most countries (including the U.S.), removing DRM for personal use, like backing up your movie or listening offline on a different device, in the case that you have acquired the content access in the official way, falls into an innocent area. It's unlikely you’d face legal action unless you share or redistribute the content publicly.

Bottom line: Don’t sell or share DRM-free copies, and you’re probably safe.

Top 5 iTunes DRM Removal Tools

1. Noteburner iTunes DRM Audio Converter [Win & Mac]

If your main frustration is with Apple Music (songs you can't keep after unsubscribing), NoteBurner is one of the most reliable audio-focused DRM removal tools available in 2025. It works by downloading and converting your Apple Music tracks to widely supported DRM-free formats like MP3, M4A, and FLAC.

Unlike some tools that try (and fail) to handle everything, NoteBurner focuses entirely on DRM-protected audio. But it doesn’t support video content like iTunes movies or Apple TV shows, it can be an available pick for music lovers.

• Convert DRM-protected iTunes M4P files and Apple Music to MP3, M4A, M4B, FLAC or WAV
• Available on Windows and Mac OS

• Only supports removing DRM from audio files.

2.TunesKit DRM Media Converter [Win & Mac]

TunesKit iTunes DRM Removal is a smart and easy-to-use iTunes DRM media converter that can strip DRM from purchased or rented iTunes videos and convert them into video/audio formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV, MPEG, MP3, etc. It also allows you to change the parameters like video bit rate, size, and more. But that’s all for the Windows version. If you are looking for a practical guide on how to remove DRM from M4V files, here’s a detailed tutorial to help you get started.

Its Mac version used to be regarded as one of the best iTunes DRM removals for Mac. Therefore, this DRM removal iTunes software can be a second choice to remove DRM from iTunes movies.

• Remove DRM from both iTunes purchases and rentals
• Allow for customized settings (Windows version), and output lossless MP4 files (Mac version)

• Cannot remove DRM from music and protected audio files
• No longer works with iTunes 12.10+ or Apple TV app
• Mac version support is limited to macOS Mojave or earlier
• Not updated frequently in recent years (last major update in 2022)
• Doesn’t support rental content from Apple TV+

3. M4VGear DRM Media Converter [Win & Mac]

M4VGear DRM Media Converter is another iTunes video DRM converter that can remove DRM and convert iTunes M4V to MP4 or other various formats, such as MOV and MP3, playable on mobile devices like iPhone 8/8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8, TV consoles like Samsung TV, LG TV, and more.

Working fast is the salient feature of this iTunes DRM removal program. Same with other iTunes DRM removal for video files, it can preserve 100% original video quality.

• Output MP4 video with lossless quality
• Support both Windows and Mac systems
• Fast converting speed

• Only supports removing DRM from iTunes videos
• No longer works with the Apple TV app or iTunes 12.10+
• The Mac version requires macOS Mojave or earlier
• Rental videos may not convert reliably
• Limited updates and declining community support

4. Aimersoft DRM Media Converter [Win]

Aimersoft’s DRM Media Converter isn’t iTunes-specific. In fact, it was originally built as a universal DRM removal tool that handles various types of protected media, including files from iTunes, Audible, and even old WMV/WMA files from Microsoft’s deprecated stores.

What sets Aimersoft apart is that it uses a “record-while-playing” method: instead of trying to decrypt DRM like TunesKit or DVDFab, it plays back the file in the background and simultaneously records it into a DRM-free format. That means it’s not blocked by DRM encryption, but it also means conversion is slower and sometimes lossy.

• Remove DRM from both iTunes video and audio files.
• Can be used on DRM for iTunes as well as PlaysForSure for Windows Media.

• Windows only — no Mac version available
• Re-encoding may reduce output quality slightly
• Recording is slower than decryption-based tools
• UI is dated and hasn’t seen major updates recently

5. Ondesoft iTunes Converter [Mac]

If you're on a Mac and looking for a way to remove DRM from Apple Music, iTunes songs, or Audible audiobooks, Ondesoft iTunes Converter is one of the few tools that still works natively on macOS in 2025. While it doesn't support video files like M4V movies or TV shows, it does a solid job unlocking audio content, especially for users still deep in the Apple ecosystem.

Unlike older tools that required iTunes, Ondesoft now integrates with the Apple Music app, making it compatible with newer macOS versions, including Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma.

• Extract audio from iTunes videos
• Clean interface, good for non-technical users

• Does not support iTunes movie or TV DRM removal  
• No Windows version  
• Requires Apple Music subscription login for conversion  
• Slower for large audiobook libraries 

Choose Your Path: Video vs Audio

One-line answer: For modern systems and Apple TV playback, the download workaround is the most reliable 2025 method.

One-line answer: Export tracks to MP3/M4A/FLAC via a dedicated Apple Music converter.

Alternative Solutions & Workarounds in 2025

By now you’ve probably noticed a pattern: most classic DRM removal tools only work under narrow, outdated conditions — like iTunes 12.9 on Windows 10, or macOS Mojave at the latest. If you’re using a modern setup, chances are those tools won't help much.

But don’t give up just yet. There are still a few smart, legal(ish) ways to get DRM-free copies of your Apple content, especially if you're willing to take a detour.

StreamFab All-In-One [Win & Mac]

StreamFab isn’t a traditional DRM removal tool; it’s a video downloader for streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, and HBO. But here’s the trick: many iTunes-purchased movies are also available through Movies Anywhere, a digital locker service that lets you link your Apple account to other platforms, or on Apple TV now. For more information on the top tools for iTunes DRM removal, be sure to check out this top iTunes DRM removal guide.

And the Apple TV download module, which is called StreamFab Apple TV Plus Downloader, can help you download the purchased or rented titles on Apple TV from iTunes video format to common MP4/MKV format. Then save them to local hard drives with a satisfying quality. It works best for users who’ve bought a lot of iTunes movies in the past.

StreamFab Apple TV Plus Downloader

• Download Apple TV videos in original 1080p/4K quality
• Save Apple TV episodes with Dolby Atmos audio
• Remove DRM and output MP4/MKV format files
• Auto ad-removal is open to all tiers of accounts
• Save metadata together with the Apple TV videos
  • Schedule download and bulk download are available
• Selectable codecs between H.264 & H.265
• Download subtitles & audio tracks in various languages

  Free Download

  Free Download

MusicFab [Win & Mac]

MusicFab is like StreamFab, but for music. It logs into your Apple Music account (or other music platforms like Spotify or Amazon Music) and downloads each track as it plays, converting it into a DRM-free file you can store permanently, even after your subscription ends.

MusicFab

• Download Apple Music tracks at 20x faster speed
• Search and convert Apple Music to MP3 with a built-in browser
• Offers various output options like MP3/FLAC/WAV, etc.
• Preserves ID3 tags and saves lyrics (external .Irc files)
• Bulk download songs/playlists/albums/podcasts/audiobooks

  Free Download

  Free Download

It’s not breaking DRM per se, it’s recording and saving in real time (usually at 1× or 5× speed), then exporting the result as MP3, M4A, or FLAC. Although MusicFab isn’t free, for Apple Music users who want real ownership of their tracks, it’s one of the most reliable tools available right now.

Other Creative Workarounds (Limited Use)

Some users on Reddit and Quora have shared additional techniques, especially for edge cases:

These aren’t ideal for large libraries, but they show that with a little creativity, there are still ways to own your media in 2025.

Overall Comparison Between iTunes DRM Removals

If your target is video on a modern system using the Apple TV app, prioritize the Apple TV download column. Only consider legacy iTunes tools when you genuinely meet 12.7–12.9 constraints. For audio, focus on Apple Music converters.

And here is a quantitative evaluation form and related instructions. I did a systematic assessment of conversion speed, image and sound quality, and residual watermark detection.

Wrap Up

In 2025, direct-decrypt tools for iTunes DRM will be narrowly applicable. For video, favor the Apple TV download workaround; for audio, use an Apple Music converter. If you maintain a valid legacy iTunes setup, consult the comparison first, then proceed. Use the Key Takeaways, Quick Q&A, and matrix to choose the shortest path.

If you're not sure where to start, I’d suggest this: