Convert M3U to M4P

Understanding m3u and m4p file formats

M3U is a playlist file format commonly used for multimedia playlists. It contains a list of audio or video files, but does not store the actual media content—only references to their locations. M4P, on the other hand, is a protected audio file format used by Apple iTunes. M4P files are AAC audio files encrypted with Apple’s FairPlay DRM, meaning they can only be played on authorized devices.

Can you convert m3u to m4p?

Direct conversion from M3U to M4P is not possible because M3U is a playlist (not an audio file) and M4P is a DRM-protected audio format. To achieve a similar result, you would need to:

1. Extract the audio files referenced in the M3U playlist.
2. Convert those audio files to M4P format (which requires importing them into iTunes and purchasing or applying DRM protection).

Note that creating M4P files with DRM is only possible through Apple’s ecosystem and is not supported by third-party converters.

How to extract audio files from an m3u playlist

To access the audio files listed in an M3U playlist:

• Open the M3U file with a text editor to view the file paths or URLs.
• Copy the paths and ensure you have access to the referenced audio files.

How to convert audio files to m4p using iTunes

Once you have the audio files, you can add them to your iTunes library. To convert them to M4P (with DRM), you must purchase them from the iTunes Store, as iTunes does not allow users to manually apply DRM to their own files. The steps are:

1. Open iTunes and go to File → Add to Library to import your audio files.
2. Purchase the same tracks from the iTunes Store to obtain them in M4P format.

Note: There is no legal or supported way to convert personal audio files to M4P with DRM outside of the iTunes Store.

Best software for handling m3u and m4p files

• VLC Media Player: Open and play M3U playlists, extract file paths.
• Apple iTunes: Manage, purchase, and play M4P files.

For non-DRM audio conversion, tools like Audacity or fre:ac can convert audio files to AAC (M4A), but not to M4P with DRM.

Summary

Direct conversion from M3U to M4P is not feasible due to format differences and DRM restrictions. Use iTunes for M4P files and VLC for M3U playlists.