- Part 1. Why Can't You Screen Record Apple Music with Sound?
- Part 2. Best Apple Music Lossless Recorder Tools
- Part 3. Summary Table: Best Options for Apple Music Recording
- Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Music Lossless Recorder
Part 1. Why Can't You Screen Record Apple Music with Sound?
At first glance, you may think screen recording is the easiest way to capture Apple Music. However, Apple has implemented FairPlay DRM protection to prevent lossless recording. This means:
Muted recordings: If you try to screen record Apple Music on iPhone or Mac, you may get a video without sound.
Quality loss: Even if sound is captured using third-party tools, audio quality often drops below lossless standards.
Temporary downloads: Apple Music downloads are encrypted and disappear once your subscription ends.
So, while how to screen record Apple Music is a common question, the answer is simple: direct screen recording won't preserve quality or sound. You'll need a dedicated Apple Music recording program.
Part 2. Best Apple Music Lossless Recorder Tools
To truly capture Apple Music in high fidelity, you need professional Apple Music recording software. Below are the top tools, with features, steps, and pros & cons.
1. TuneMobie Apple Music Converter
TuneMobie Apple Music Converter is a professional Apple Music lossless recorder that directly converts Apple Music songs to MP3, FLAC, WAV, or M4A while preserving original quality and metadata. Unlike traditional recording, it works at up to 20X faster speed.
Key Features:
- Record and convert Apple Music to multiple formats (MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, AIFF).
- Preserve lossless audio quality (up to 320kbps).
- Keep ID3 tags and album artwork.
- Batch conversion at 20X faster speed.
- Available for both Windows and Mac.
How to Screen Record Apple Music to MP3 320kbps
Step 1. Launch TuneMobie Apple Music Converter and log in to the built-in web player with your Apple ID.
Step 2. Click Settings to set up the output format and quality.
Step 3. Browser the library and find the song, album, or playlist you want to record. Click Add songs/Add to list button to start analyzing the music track.
Step 4. After analysis, you can preview the tracks and click Convert button to start recording Apple Music lossless.
After conversion, you can find the DRM-free music in the output folder.
Pros:
- True lossless recording.
- Retains metadata and album art.
- Much faster than real-time recording.
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- Paid software (free trial has limitations).
2. ViWizard Audio Capture
ViWizard Audio Capture is an effective tool for recording streaming audio from your system, including Apple Music. It offers a simple, user-friendly approach, making it a great choice if you want a straightforward way to capture your favorite songs.
Unlike TuneMobie Apple Music Recorder, Audio Capture records audio in real-time, which makes it a bit slower, but it's still a reliable option for recording music.
Features:
- Capture multiple streams simultaneously.
- Save recordings as MP3, M4A, FLAC, or WAV.
- Edit audio and split tracks manually.
- Works for Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, etc.
How to Capture Audio in Apple Music:
Open ViWizard Audio Capture program and select Apple Music (or iTunes) as the source.
Play songs in Apple Music.
ViWizard Audio Capture captures and saves the audio.
Export recordings in desired format.
Pros:
- Multi-source audio recording.
- Built-in audio editor.
- Simple interface.
Cons:
- Real-time recording (slower).
- Manual editing may be needed.
3. Audacity + Virtual Audio Cable (or Soundflower for Mac)
Audacity is a free, open-source audio recording program that can be used with virtual audio routing tools like Soundflower (for Mac) or VB-Audio Cable (for Windows).
While this setup requires some technical knowledge, it's a flexible and cost-effective way to capture high-quality audio from Apple Music. With the right configuration, Audacity can provide recordings that are just as good as those from paid software.
Features:
- 100% free and open-source.
- Supports multiple audio tracks.
- Export to MP3, WAV, FLAC.
- Advanced editing options.
Using Audacity to Record Apple Music:
Using Audacity with a virtual audio cable is a great way to record songs from Apple Music. Here's how to set it up:
Step 1. Download and install Audacity. For macOS, you'll also need to install Soundflower, and for Windows, you'll need VB-Audio Cable.
Step 2. Change your computer's audio output to the virtual cable. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Sound > Output and select Soundflower. On a PC, adjust this in your Sound Settings.
Step 3. Open Audacity and set the virtual audio cable (Soundflower or VB-Audio Cable) as your input source.
Step 4. Start playing your track or playlist on Apple Music, then click the Record button in Audacity.
Step 5. When you're finished, click the Stop button. To save your recording, go to File > Export and choose your preferred format, such as MP3 or WAV.
Pros:
- Free solution.
- Flexible editing tools.
- Supports many formats.
Cons:
- Complex setup.
- Not beginner-friendly.
- No metadata preservation.
4. AudiCable Audio Recorder
AudiCable Audio Recorder is a versatile tool designed to download music from a wide range of streaming services, including Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and more.
With AudiCable, you can save your music in popular formats such as MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, or AIFF. The program preserves the original ID3 tags and maintains the best audio quality during the conversion process.
Features:
- Records music in MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF.
- Built-in ID3 tag editor.
- Works for multiple streaming services.
- Supports batch recording.
Steps to Capture Apple Music Audio:
Install and launch AudiCable.
Choose Apple Music as recording source.
In the Settings panel, you can customize the conversion mode, output format and others.
You can simply drag an album or playlist directly from your music app and drop it onto the AudiCable interface, or copy the link to a playlist and paste it into the URL search box in AudiCable.
To begin the conversion, click the "Convert" button. AudiCable will then start recording Apple Music and saving the music to your computer.
Pros:
- Multi-service support.
- Preserves tags.
- Simple workflow.
Cons:
- Real-time recording (takes longer).
- Occasional quality drop.
5. Apowersoft Streaming Audio Recorder
Apowersoft Streaming Audio Recorder is a powerful program for recording any audio playing on your computer, including music from streaming services, videos, and internet radio.
This software offers a wide range of editing and conversion features, and it supports multiple output formats like MP3, AAC, FLAC, and WMA. This allows you to easily play your recorded audio on any music player or portable device.
Features:
- Records streaming audio, radio, and Apple Music.
- Output formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, AAC, FLAC.
- Online ID3 tag recognizer.
- Built-in audio editor and CD burner.
Steps:
Launch Apowersoft Streaming Audio Recorder.
Select audio source (system sound).
Play Apple Music songs.
Save the recording in desired format.
Pros:
- Multi-format support.
- Includes audio editor.
- User-friendly interface.
Cons:
- Must record in real time.
- Paid license required.
Part 3. Summary Table: Best Options for Apple Music Recording
| Tool | Method | Format Support | Speed | Metadata | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TuneMobie Apple Music Converter | Direct conversion | MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, etc. | Up to 20× | Yes | Win/Mac |
| ViWizard Audio Capture | Real-time system recording | MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4B, etc. | Real-time | Yes | Win/Mac |
| Audacity + VAC / Soundflower | Virtual device recording | MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, OGG | Real-time | No | Win/Mac/Linux |
| AudiCable Audio Recorder | Real-time capture | MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, etc. | Real-time | Yes | Win/Mac |
| Apowersoft Streaming Audio Recorder | Real-time + scheduler | MP3, FLAC, WMA, OGG, AAC, etc. | Real-time | Yes | Win/Mac |
Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Music Lossless Recorder
Q1. Can I record Apple Music losslessly?
Yes. With professional tools like TuneMobie Apple Music Converter, you can save Apple Music in FLAC, WAV, or ALAC while preserving original quality and metadata.
Q2. Why not use basic screen recording software?
Basic recorders may lose quality and require manual editing. A dedicated Apple Music recording program ensures faster conversion and keeps tags intact.
Q3. Is it legal to record Apple Music?
Recording is fine for personal use, but you cannot share or distribute the files. Always follow copyright rules in your region.
Conclusion
Finding the right Apple Music lossless recorder can make all the difference if you want to enjoy high-quality tracks without DRM limits. While basic screen recording software often compromises sound, professional Apple Music recording programs like TuneMobie Apple Music Converter provide a faster, lossless, and more reliable way to save your songs. Whether you prefer FLAC for audiophile quality or MP3 for compatibility, these tools ensure you can enjoy your Apple Music library on any device, anytime.