Playing Protected AAC music on itouch

I have a new ipod touch connected to a Mac. When I sync my itunes to the touch it will only play AAC formated files and not Protected AAC files. The Protected AAC will play on my laptop without any issues. I have restored and reset the Ipod touch, still having the problem. Any suggestion?

Same problem here and it also applies to video downloads which are protected MPEG-4 files.
The only workaround I've found on music is to move the protected aac files to a play list and then burn them to CD. Then, import the cd back in as MP3. Be sure to change your settings to MP3 before importing the CD. I followed the advice of one posting and did not remove the CD after burning, but immediately imported the CD. When I did it this way, the mp3 files info (artist, album, etc.) were retained. Although I did lose the cover art.
I have not tested this, but I read that if you eject the cd and then try to go back and import the cd, you will lose this info.
I have found no legal workaround for the videos. This appears to be a long standing issue, going back to the earlier gens of the itouch.
If anyone know of any other solutions, please post them!

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Why won't Home Sharing play Protected AAC files on iOS 7?

The Details
iTunes 11.1.3 on an Early 2009 iMac running 10.8.5
Two iPhone Fives running iOS 7.04
iPad 2 running 7.04
iPad running iOS 5.1.1
When sharing my iTunes library from my iMac, protected AAC files will not play on my iOS devices running iOS 7.0.4, however they will play on my wife's old iPad running iOS 5.1.1. Also, I've noticed that music purchased from the iTunes store comes or came in two different flavors, purchased AAC files and Protected AAC files. So, while my devices running 7.0.4 won't play protected AAC files, all of my devices will play purchased AAC files.
I don't know if it matters, but all four of the devices are using my Apple ID in Settings > Music > Home Sharing, and one of the iPhones and the old iPad are used by my wife and in Settings > iCloud > is a different ID for her iCloud Account.
What gives?
Thank you
Cloudhr

The protected AAC files WILL play on her iPad running iOS 5.1.1. They WON'T play on any of our iOS devices running iOS 7.0.4. All the files were imported into my iTunes library using the same Apple ID. There is only one iTunes account which uses my Apple ID and credit card info. All of our devices sync to my iTunes library in my administarator account on my my iMac.
Thank you
Cloudhr

Protected AAC music/files not playing or appearing in iTunes purchases

Any purchases which I made from itunes during 2007/08 which were protected AAC files will no longer play on my pc (nor download to my ipod). I get multiple 'This computer is not authorised to play....Would you like to authorise it?' When I authorise it, it tells me that 'This computer is already authorised (2 out of 5)'. But the track will not play and again asks for authorisation. The tracks that will not play are all 'Fairplay version 2'. I thought about deleting them and downloading them again as I understand that Apple no longer encripts files, but they do not appear in my previous purchases in my itunes account (no purchases before 2011 appear?) - so I assume that I cannot download them again. So i have the tracks in my library, the 'info' says that they are registered to my itunes account, but it seems that because they are encripted I cannot play them. Help please!!

I am having what seems to be the same problem as Julie described. After purchasing an album on itunes, I created a CD-R disk that will play on the computer but not on any of several players I tried. The CD shows (Get info) each tune to be an MP-4. In ITunes...the tracks are shown as AAC protected...I don't know the difference.
It appears Julie solved the problem by your suggestion to go to iTunes preferences...I tried that Pref>Advanced>Burning>and selected Audio CD and burned a second disk....actually I didn't change anything because my preferences were already set that way.
I would never buy anything else from iTunes that I cannot play on my home system. this has been a frustrating matter and I guess what I am asking is there a pausible solution?
To your questions:
Play on home CD player: message: No audio...although the Cd plays on the computer ok.
Media used: Memorex CD-R
Brand of players: Sony DVD player 1.5 years old & Cyberhome 1 year
Operating System 10.3.9
iTunes 5.xx
Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
thanks,
ron

Cannot play Protected AAC files on my iPhone 5

I purchased a new iPhone 5 and have synced my music to it. However any purchased AAC files that are in iTunes will not play on my iPhone. They show up and when I try to play it will just skip to the next song it can play that is not the protected AAC file format. Purchased AAC files play fine. It is the Protected AAC which you find in the "kind" column. The new iPhone 5 is obviously running iOS 6.
I have an iPad 2 that is also running iOS 6 and it plays those Protected AAC files just fine.
Does this have something to do with the iPhone is not authorized? I had an iPhone 4 (not 4S) that I upgraded from. I sold the iPhone 4 so when I did I went into my account in iTunes and managed devices and removed the iPhone 4. I set up the iPhone 5 and put in my Apple ID, shouldn't it automatically authorize the phone to play these purchased songs? One interesting thing is if I look at my managed devices now in iTunes it says an iPhone 4S is associated with my apple ID. I've never had a 4S and the date it says the 4S was associated is the date I got my iPhone 5.
How can I play these files on my iPhone 5?

I'm having the exact problem with a track purchase on iTunes. Works fine on my 3rd gen iPad, but recently was dropped from my iPod touch (pre and post IOS 6).

Purchased, Protected AAC music won't create Audio CD

This is a newly manifested problem. I used to be able to do this. ANY playlist containing ANY purchased and protected AAC format music won't burn an audio CD on my onboard superdrive. The drive initializes the disk and iTunes reads "Writing...(first song)". However, nothing further happens.
I have left the system alone for up to 30 minutes with no progress indicated on the burning status window. I have tried a variety of playlists with different combinations of protected and unprotected formats. (These playlists WILL create a data disk.) All protected songs will play on the computer. Ejecting the disk ruins the burn of course and I have wasted 12 CDs trying different configurations.
ANY playlist with NO purchased songs burns properly and quickly as an audio CD or data disk. I have reauthorized the computer on iTunes. I have reinstalled iTunes7.0.2.
G4, Quicksilver Mac OS X (10.4.8) Superdrive

iTunes will only let you burn protected AAC audio 10 times.
This is incorrect.
You can burn purchased music in a specific playlist only 7 times.
If you want to burn more, you need to change the playlist.

My shuffle will NOT play protected AAC files but will play ripped AAC files

When I download a playlist to my Ipod Shuffle all files appear to transfer OK, but only the regular AAC files (the ones from my CD's) will play (i.e. the protectet AAC files will NOT play). If I create a playlist with only protected AAC files purchased from Itunes, NOTHING will play.
Yes, I've run updater (latest version).
Yes, I've reset to factory defaults.
Yes, I'm using the latest version of Itunes
Yes, These songs play fine on my Windows XP PC.
Yes, I've "deauthorized" and "re-authorized"
Yes, I've deleted all my music files and restored them.
Basically, I've got a MP3 player (Yes, I know I'm actually playing AAC files)
Any Ideas!!! Has anyone seen this before?

Hi,
Check the iPod hardware properties. Make sure that the iPod shuffle is connected to computer.
1. Right-click My Computer and click Manage.
2. Select Device manager.
3. Then select Universal Serial Bus controllers.
4. Right-click USB Mass Storage devices and click Properties.
5. Click the Details tab.
Check for the string of numbers if it is 000a.2700.FFFFFFF then send the iPod shuffle for service. http://depot.info.apple.com/ipodshuffle/
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302110
or take it back to the place from were you brought and ask for a replacement.

IPhone stops playing Protected AAC songs

My iPhone stops playing songs in the middle. All the songs that stop are Protected AAC songs-old purchases. It happened on a 3G, and now on a new 4GS. They play fine on my computer. Sometimes it skips to the next song automatically, sometimes you can skip manually, occasionally it loses its way entirely. It's been happening for the last few months, but not too often in my library. It is perfectly repeatable for each song, down to the second it stops, but the timing varies by the song.

I actually have a song that plays back perfectly in iTunes. It also plays back fine when selecting the song on the iPhone through iTunes. However, when disconnecting the iPhone and playing it back just through the iPhone the song will distort after 16-17 seconds and skip to the next song. This doesn't happen however if I manullay skip the first 17 seconds of the song. It's a strange circumstance. I just decided to delete the song all together from my iPhone.

Cannot play protected AAC m4b books and podcasts

I have a number of podcasts that are protected AAC files in m4b format (to be bookmarkable), along with a number of podcasts/audiobooks from Audible.com also in that format. Despite being synced with the authorized machine for these files, my Apple TV gives me "The selected content could not be played" when I try to play them. What gives, and how can I get them to play?

No they are not purchased / downloaded from iTunes, just from a normal podcast RSS feed. I think that a few versions back, iTunes had some issues with DRM-free bookmarkable podcasts/audiobooks which may have influenced the decision to use a DRM'd audiobook file.
I do see a "Create AAC Version", the standard "Create..." option based on my audio CD import settings, but nothing specific for Apple TV. Of course, presuming the Apple TV can play this new file, that presents a major workflow and convenience issue. I'd much rather find a way for these files to play natively, and of course with Apple, I mean "major" in that I would have to remember, do something, and wait, instead of everything just working like it's supposed to, heh.

ITunes 10.5 won't play protected aac files

Have just upgraded to iTunes 10.5 and now won't play or copy to my iPhone my protected aac files that I bought with the same apple id I have now. iTunes keeps asking me to authorise my already authorised computer?

I just downloaded and installed iTunes 10.5.1.42 and all of my problems have been solved.
All audio books now play
All wav files play
Tinny sound reported by others seems much improved with this update
The updated version of iTunes launches much faster on Win 7 64bit SP1The download and update for 10.5.1.42 ran smoothly and the install/upgrade worked the first time.
Thanks to all who helped.

Cannot play protected files on new MacBook Pro

I recently bought a new MB Pro. I am not able to play protected AAC files on my iTunes. I don't recall having this problem on my previous MBP. All my files are stored on my iMAC, and they play with no problem. They play fine on my iPod also. But again, with my new MBP, when trying to play the songs, I get the "Not Authorized" message. I used the Migration Assistant to transfer all data from my old MBP to the new.
Problem is, these songs were purchased with my wife's OLD iTunes ID. ITunes does not even recognize the email address, (Her ID.) Does anyone have any recommendations on how to get the songs played on my MBP, without having to buy all these songs over on my iTunes ID?
Tried using Homesharing. No luck.

Authorize the computer of the old account.

I have itunes 12 and protected acc music files will to play- and computer wont authorize- 2 plus hour on phone w/ apple and no help.

Apple authorized retailer just transferred my data from "dead" late 2009 macbook pro to my new matchbook with retina. Now itunes12 will not play songs listed as protected acc files that i bought from iTunes. so i know what that term means but spent over two hours on he phone with apple trying to resolve with no luck but the rep swears they should play and the protected part is not the issue. Songs were purchased when i had a pc ( he said thats not the issue) and i had no issues with previous computer playing them. Also when i try to play them now it prompts mo to authorize the computer and it will NOT let me . (not sure if its b.c they were bought when iTunes let you use a user name only and not needing @ .....email address.) And i dont have the password and cant get it though find my apple id b/c its not really a true apple id- tried adding the @ and my email but tray did not work.
SO , 1. Anyone else have this issue or suggestions on what to do?
2. was told i need to find old password to authorize computer but cant , as i said , find it though apple id site.....so have no clue whist to do .... already spent 20.00 repurchasing some out of frustration.
This came to my attention when i tried to since my phone and was told id loose 60 songs b/c computer not authorized- so i stopped and they play in the phone then tied to sync iPod and same issue but by accident pressed wrong key and lost songs off iPod that would play on that. so now they are on my purchased list and can see they were purchased with just a same / no address when i fog to about file.....any suggestions. help...please ...was already in the phone with someone various times for total of over 4 - 6 hours trying to fix multiple apple id issue so i could at least back up my phone which is dying so when i get new one if anything goes wrong i have my picts. and music backed up to computer.
3.last issue - was told by one person that now i have to either do family share b/c of songs bought with different id's(at that point dint know about first issue but knew i had used @me and @ mac by accident to buy songs and was told they now would not play if i was not signed in with the id it was purchased with?? is that true?
b/c i have play list for my car that have songs from both ids .....so hen said that would be an issue ? its not now on my phone (old 3GS) they all play.
any help one anything would be so appreciated! thanks- sorry for so may issues in one question. del free to ask more questions as what I've tried b/c i feel I've done everything they they told me on phone multiple times and cant get any answers. or get stuck back in loop of need to authorize computer and cant and dante get apple id from forgot password b/c it only gets to second step and then says info is not correct?

reb101 wrote:
OK, I finally got it - do the following:
1. Connect Pre to your computer in USB mode.
2. Open search feature and search for "ipod controls" file in the Pre drive (on my computer this is drive E
3. On the search feature, go to advanced tab and tell it to search for hidden files.
4. It should find ipod controls.
5. DELETE, DELETE, DELETE
Keep in mind that this will delete all previously uploaded music installed by using *ughhh* itunes. I love it. Now I just drag and drop all music to my Pre drive. Hope this helps. It is nice to have a fresh start without having to wipe the entire phone. Good luck out there.
This worked brilliantly!!! Thank you so much!! Pre is set......only issue now is that fact that half my music in iTunes is in a Protected AAC file format that the Pre can't play

Authorization issue with protected AAC files I own - won't let me play!

I had my hard drive replaced. My old hard drive was cloned onto the new hard drive. Everything works great except that my protected AAC files won't play. I have authorized and deauthorized and re-authorized the computer. My mac account is fine and opens via iTunes.
I have tried every converting program (free or shareware) that I can find and nothing will allow me to convert, burn, or play this music. I've got over 70 songs that won't play.
When I try to play one of the songs, I keep getting the message that this computer is not authorized to play this song and wants me to authorized the computer, when I do, the same message pops up again and again.
What do I do?? I've reseached the internet and it seems others are also having this issue. I do not want to buy software to convert songs that I already own and have paid for!

i am having the same problem... have you found the solution?

Help!!! - Protected AAC files do not play on any of my iPods

Since ten days ago both my iPods (Video 60GB and Photo 40GB) are not capable anymore to play iTMS purchased music. The music plays fine on iTunes (Windows, last version), is correctly copied on both the iPods (both updated to the last version of iPod software) but when I try to play any of the Protected AAC file kind the iPods just shows the Cover and skips to the next songs.
The bad thing is that is happening on any Protected AAC file i try to play on any of the iPods and we are talking about 527 songs, for a total more than 500 euros. THAT'S BAD!!!
I've tryed everything, re-flashed the iPods with the last iPod Updater (any hint on where to find the 2005 version?), reinstalled iTunes on both the PCs I've at home, deauthorized and re-authorized the iTMS account, deleted all the music from the iPod and loaded back again, no light at all...
I've contacted the iTMS support, they have deauthorized all my PCs, I've authorized them back but nothing. After four email they passed me to the Tech iPod support.
I've called them, on the Video I've also the AppleCare, we tryed everything, also formatting the iPod via the Operating System, but no luck.
At the end they have said that is a problem with the FairPlay authorization and brought me back to the iTMS support.
I wrote them again, explaining all the situation and giving them the SR number and this is what I got as an answer:
"have escalated the issue you reported, and you will receive an email message once we have a resolution. Thank you for your patience as we work to make your experience with the iTunes Music Store more enjoyable."
No timeline, no explanation at all.
Obviusly all the other functionalities of the iPods are working fine and all the Protected AAC files plays fine on iTunes, but nothing on the iPods.
I've also tryed to buy a couple on new songs from iTunes but also these do not play on any of the iPods.
From the tech support side, seems I'm the only one to have this problem in the world. From my point of view this could be a FairPlay keys problem but the result is that I cannot play any of the music I've bought.
Does anybody had this kind of problem or some hints to save the day?
One bottle of italian wine (Brunello di Montalcino, very fine red wine) to who finds a solution.
Have an happy life.
MB from Italy

Nobody replyed to my message but I think that knowing the solution can be helpful for someone in the future.
I've made some extensive testing.
To me the problem has appeared when I've update both the iPod to the last iPod software version, 1.1.1 for the Video and 1.2.1 for the Photo.
At that time I was using the iTunes for Windows version 6.0.4
Thanks to the hint of a user on the iLounge forum (www.ilounge.com), the problem was related to the versions combination between iTunes for Windows and the iPod Software.
Today I've tried all the version of iTunes form the 6.0.0 to the 6.0.4 (thanks to File Hippo) and the only one that works is the 6.0.0
The problem seems solved on both the iPods, obviously I've notified Apple of the temporary solution and I really hope that someone will take care of this one.

Can't download music in anything but protected AAC audio file.

When I download music it always comes as a protected AAC audio file. Previously I could download as AAC audio file and copy to a CD to play on Car Stereo. Can't seem to do that any more. All protected AAC audio files will only play on itunes and will not convert. Any ideas?

Sounds like you have your burn options set to "MP3 CD" Instead of "Audio CD" if its wanting to convert a file.
Goto edit>preferences>Advanced tab>Burn sub tab, set it to "Audio CD" and hit OK

All protected AAC files (older purchases) stop playing after a handful of seconds following iTunes update

So I just noticed that after upgrading iTunes to v10.6.1(7) every single older protected AAC files QUITS playing after a certain number of seconds. The exact time interval depends on the album, but without fail, they all quit. I recently upgraded to lion after a fresh install of snow leopard. I had backed up the iTunes music folder on an external hard drive and imported to library after installing lion. Very, very frustrating...

I seen this a few times.
Do a test, delete one of those files/albums. Then re-download it from iTunes in the Cloud.
I bet you the new DL will work. If this solves it, then just remove the other older songs/albums, and then re-dl them from iTunes Store.

Playing Protected AAC music on itouch

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