Converting iTunes music to non-Apple format for external drive

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Converting iTunes music to non-Apple format for external drive

I had imported several CDs into Itunes and sold the CDs. I am now getting rid of the Mac before it dies, and want to place all the music on an external drive in MP3 or other format so I can listen to it on a PC or MP3 player. I no longer want to use Itunes. I want the music in a non-Apple format. When I convert songs into ACC format in Itunes and then transfer to external drive, they copy as an Apple format. Thanks for any help

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Export music

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 7, 2025 1:01 AM

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Answer 1

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Niel

Community+ 2025

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Sep 7, 2025 6:07 AM in response to Fibrokid

There isn't an ACC for music encoding. If you mean AAC, it's an open standard which just happens to be what Apple chose for the iTunes Store; many other units can play it. In the case you have one which can't, change the encoder in iTunes to MP3.

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Answer 2

Fibrokid Author

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Sep 7, 2025 5:58 AM in response to muguy

So let’s assume I do have some of the discs - which I do - the Mac doesn’t know which disks I still own. So, rather than explaining my legal rights, can someone give me an explanation of how I export and convert?

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Answer 3

muguy

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90,836 points

Sep 7, 2025 5:02 AM in response to Fibrokid

Legally, you cannot retain the digital files as you no longer own the physical media.

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