REWINDDRM-protected music and what REWIND can play
DRM-protected music is encrypted so it only plays inside the service that sold it. Apple Music and Spotify downloads fall into this group, and REWIND cannot import them. Files you own without DRM, such as purchased downloads, Bandcamp files and your own CD rips, import normally.
Download free on iPhoneSee all 30 machines
8 machines free forever · no account · works offline
What is DRM?
DRM stands for digital rights management. It encrypts a file so that only an approved app, signed in to an approved account, can decode it. Streaming apps use it for offline downloads. Those downloads are not files you own; they are a cached license. Background: digital rights management on Wikipedia.
What will not import?
Those files either have no usable file in the Files app or cannot be decoded outside their own app. REWIND does not try to bypass protection. See why Apple Music songs won't import.
- Apple Music and Spotify downloads for offline listening.
- Other streaming-service offline caches.
- Older protected purchases that are still locked.
What does work?
Any DRM-free file in a supported type: MP3, AAC/M4A, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, FLAC and CAF.
| Source | Imports? |
|---|---|
| iTunes Store purchases as DRM-free files | Yes, when DRM-free |
| Bandcamp downloads | Yes |
| Your own CD rips | Yes |
| Apple Music or Spotify offline downloads | No |
How do I build a DRM-free collection?
Buy downloads from stores that sell files, rip the CDs you already own, or collect releases an artist offers directly. Where to buy DRM-free music lists options. Once the files are on your phone, import them from the Files app; the music library page covers the process.
How to tell if a file is protected
A protected track usually refuses to open outside its app, shows a lock or cloud icon, or has no file you can select in the Files app. A file you can copy, email or put in a folder and open on a computer is almost certainly DRM-free. If REWIND does not import it, check the extension first and convert if it is an unsupported type.
Why REWIND works this way
REWIND is built for music you own. That keeps it simple: no accounts, no licenses to check, no network. The tradeoff is that you must supply the files. Many listeners are happy with that; it is the reason the player can run entirely offline.
Frequently asked questions
Can REWIND play my Apple Music downloads?
No. Those downloads are DRM-protected and cannot be imported.
Can REWIND play Spotify downloads?
No. Spotify offline downloads are protected and stay inside Spotify.
Which files can I import?
DRM-free MP3, AAC/M4A, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, FLAC and CAF files.
Do iTunes purchases work?
Yes, when you have them as DRM-free files, for example copied from a computer into the Files app. iTunes Store music has been DRM-free for years.
Keep exploring
Apple Music Songs Won't Import? Why and What to DoWhy Apple Music downloads cannot be imported, a troubleshooting checklist, supported formats and legal ways to get files you can use.Where to Buy DRM-Free MusicWhere to get music as files you own: Bandcamp, iTunes, Qobuz, Amazon, Beatport and CD rips, plus how to check a file is DRM-free.Offline Music Library for iPhoneImport folders or tracks from Files. Tags, cover art, search, favorites, shuffle and repeat. Offline.
Offline Music Player for iPhone, No AccountNo network, no account, no ads, no tracking. Your files stay on the iPhone.