What is M4P File and How to Open It (2025 Update)

If you are an avid Apple Music user and subscriber, you surely have known much information about an M4P file since the tracks that can be found and downloaded from the Apple Music app are in M4P format. But if you do not have even the basic ideas about this, there is nothing to worry about.

As we just mentioned in the description section, will be dealing more with this “what is M4P file?” topic in this post. Additionally, we’ll share how you can open it and the process to transform it to another format like MP3.

Apart from discussing what is M4P file is, we know it would also be vital for you to learn about a procedure to have those files you have converted to MP3 or any other flexible formats as it will help you make the files playable on any device or media player that you wish to use.

Article Content Part 1. What is M4P File?Part 2. How to Open M4P Files?Part 3. How Do I Convert M4P to MP3 without iTunes?Part 4. Summary

Part 1. What is M4P File?

As mentioned, we’ll immediately hop into tackling the main point of why this post was created – to discuss what the M4P file is.

The M4P file format is the one that is being used on both iTunes and Apple Music apps. It is encoded with AAC, also known as Advanced Audio Coding. M4P files are protected by Apple’s FairPlay protection policy to avoid illegal streaming on unauthorized devices as well as sharing and copying them.

If you’ll notice, there are some iTunes songs that are unprotected. Those have the M4A file extension. But those that are protected have M4P in their filenames.

Basically, this is the simple answer to the “what is M4P file?” question. As we promised to give you more information, we will be dealing with the procedures of how to open an M4P file and how it can possibly be converted to MP3 format (though it’s a given that it’s copyright-protected) as you continue reading the next parts of this post.

Part 2. How to Open M4P Files?

Knowing what is M4P file is isn’t enough information. You’ll surely agree. It would still be best to know how such files can be opened and that’s what we are to explain further in this section of the article.

In order for you to open an M4P file, you can try using the iTunes app. However, to use the iTunes app on your personal computer, there is a need first to authorize your account to be able to play the M4P files. You need to sign in to your iTunes app using the same account you are using to download.

To give you a quick reference, we have here a method to authorize your computer.

Step #1. On your personal computer, you need to open your iTunes app. On the main screen, tap on the “Account” button that you’ll see right away at the top section.

Step #2. A drop-down menu will be displayed. Make sure you choose “Authorizations”. Afterward, hit the “Authorize This Computer” button.

Step #3. You will be asked to put your Apple ID credentials – username and password. Make sure you input the correct details needed.

After doing these three steps, you can just simply use your iTunes app to open the M4P files that you have.

Part 3. How Do I Convert M4P to MP3 without iTunes?

Now that you know what is M4P file is and how it can be opened, it would also be worthwhile to learn more about how you can have them converted to another format like MP3. To do such, it is always best to team up with a reliable and trusted application. And, in this section, we will share more information about one great app – the TunesFun Apple Music Converter.

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TunesFun Apple Music Converter is regarded by many as a great app offering Apple Music and iTunes songs’ conversion. It can aid in the downloading of files as well since it can also do the DRM removal. It works at a notable speed letting you expect that the transformed files will be ready in no time. While in use, the app also makes sure that ID tags and metadata information will be kept as well as the original quality of the files.

It’s too easy to navigate and handle and has output settings that are customizable.

To help you out, of course, we have here the steps that you need to follow in order to convert these M4P files that you have into MP3 format using this TunesFun Apple Music Converter.

Step #1. Launch the TunesFun Apple Music Converter right after completely installing it on your PC. To know more about the installation needs, you can check out the main website of this converter. Once you are on the main page, you can start previewing the M4P files that you are eyeing to convert to MP3.

Step #2. Utilize the drop-down menu in the “Output Format” option to choose MP3. In this section, there are displayed output settings that you can modify as you wish. Also, you must define an output path to easily access the converted files.

Step #3. Tap on the “Convert” button. The app will then process the conversion and the DRM removal process. Wait until the whole process is over and you can just start streaming them on any device you want!

Part 4. Summary

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Finally, you are now very well aware of what an M4P file is, how to open it, and how it can be converted to formats like MP3 (through the use of apps like TunesFun Apple Music Converter). If you tried doing the conversion, let us know how it went! Leave your comments in the below section.