Time Machine won't back up DRM protected files

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Level 1

4 points

Time Machine won't back up DRM protected files

Time Machine won't back up iTunes movie downloads, but DRM-free videos in my TV library are backed up. Is it designed to function like this? Do I have to manually copy the DRM protected files to the external drive in case they are unavailable in the future? Will I be able to watch the movies if I drag them back to my Mac from the external drive? Thank you in advance.

Mac mini, macOS 13.7

Posted on Oct 3, 2025 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

154,868 points

Oct 3, 2025 10:31 AM in response to Michael_Sun

Time Machine won't back up iTunes movie downloads, ...

All the iTunes movie content I happen to have on the Macs I happen to use are backed up and can be restored. There is no reason you should not be able to drag them anywhere you want except to a Time Machine backup drive, whose contents should never be altered.

Since my purchased content ≠ your purchased content your question would be better directed at Apple though.

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