How Can I Download Apple Music Free to Computer

Apple Music is mainly a streaming service. If you download songs through it, they’re basically tied to your subscription. When your subscription ends, the songs might stop working or become inaccessible, unlike bought tracks that stay in your library forever. Unlike buying songs outright (like in the steps you mentioned), Apple Music downloads are more like rentals. You get to listen as long as you're subscribed, but once you cancel, those downloads often turn into “missing” files.

Apple Music streams in AAC format, and downloads are also in a compressed format. If you're into high-fidelity audio or want the original files, Apple Music might not cut it, especially since you can't easily convert or get the original files. To listen offline or download Apple music, you need to be signed in with your Apple ID, and the songs are DRM-protected. That means you can’t just transfer these files freely to other devices or use them in non-Apple apps easily.

If your subscription lapses or Apple decides to change their policies, you might lose access to your downloaded Apple music. That’s a big difference from owning MP3s that you bought outright. Downloading a lot of music from Apple Music can eat up your device’s storage since they’re stored in a compressed format, and you might need to manage storage carefully.

In my own experience, I’ve found that if you really want permanent access to specific songs, buying them outright is the way to go. Streaming services like Apple Music are great for discovering new tunes and enjoying a huge library without cluttering your device, but if you want control and permanence, downloads or purchases are better.