Apple Music What is the difference between Protected AAC Audio Files and Apple Music Audio Files?

[Gengar]

I have music set to automatically download on my MacBook when adding to my iCloud Music Library, and a lot of the songs are now "Protected AAC Audio Files" whereas they used to be "Apple Music Audio Files." Why are they (Apple) changing the downloaded files?

 

[LeeW]

Protected AAC Audio Files are protected using the Fairplay digital rights management or DRM. Basically, it is apple ensuring that anything downloaded from iTunes can only be played on an Apple-authorized device.

The Apple Music Audio Files are from Apple Music, they are not protected by DRM but still need an Apple authorized device.

 

[pup]

Adding to the above, "Protected AAC" files are from the early days of iTunes, back when Apple only sold DRM music. Those files should have been converted to "Purchased AAC" when Apple eliminated DRM. As far as I know, there shouldn't be any reason for protected files to even remain on Apple servers. And yet.

Apple Music files should either show up as "Apple Music AAC" (standard), or "HLS Media" (high def or atmos).

So, either Apple's servers are screwed up, giving you the wrong files, or your Music App has glitched, telling you the wrong format.

Could be either. FWIW, here's a short thread I posted about Apple's format inconsistencies... https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...illiness.2379933/?post=31946939#post-31946939

 

[WebHead]

As far as I know, there shouldn't be any reason for protected files to even remain on Apple servers.

Well, they need to stop people continuing to use downloaded content when their subscription expires. But it seems the Apple Music app can't distinguish between owned/uploaded and rented content - I've seen this problem raised in other threads.