The ability to save iTunes movies to an external hard drive provides freedom from storage limitations on your primary device and allows you to build a portable cinema library. While Apple’s digital rights management (DRM) poses a challenge, several legitimate methods exist for backing up and enjoying your purchased content on your terms.
Understanding the Challenges: DRM and iTunes
Before diving into the “how,” it’s crucial to understand why saving iTunes movies to an external hard drive isn’t a simple drag-and-drop process. Apple employs Digital Rights Management (DRM), specifically FairPlay DRM, to protect its copyrighted content. This restricts how purchased movies can be used and prevents unauthorized copying. This protection is directly tied to your Apple ID. However, there are approved methods to bypass these restrictions for backup purposes.
The Role of Apple ID and Authorization
Your Apple ID is the key to accessing and playing the movies you’ve purchased or rented from iTunes. Your computer needs to be authorized with your Apple ID to play these files. This authorization acts as verification that you have legitimate rights to the content.
Methods for Saving iTunes Movies to an External Hard Drive
There are several approaches you can take, depending on your needs and comfort level with technology:
1. Authorized Computer Transfer (The Approved Method)
This method, while seemingly straightforward, can be complex because of DRM.
- Authorizing Your Computer: Open iTunes (or the Apple TV app on macOS Catalina and later) and go to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password.
- Locating the iTunes Media Folder: The default location is typically Users[Your Name]MusiciTunesiTunes Media. You can also find it by going to iTunes > Edit > Preferences > Advanced and looking at the “iTunes Media folder location”.
- Copying the Movies: Connect your external hard drive to your computer. Within the iTunes Media folder, you’ll find subfolders containing your movies. Simply copy these folders to your external hard drive.
- Playback: To play these movies, connect the external hard drive to another computer authorized with the same Apple ID. You may need to add the movies to your iTunes/Apple TV app library manually by going to File > Add to Library and selecting the movie files on your external drive.
Important Considerations: This method only works on computers authorized with the same Apple ID. It is primarily a backup solution, not a way to circumvent DRM for unauthorized sharing.
2. Third-Party Software (For Backup and DRM Removal)
Numerous software programs claim to remove DRM from iTunes movies, allowing you to save them in more widely compatible formats like MP4.
- Choosing Software Wisely: Research carefully. Look for reputable software with positive reviews. Be wary of free software that might contain malware. Read the terms of service carefully and understand the legality in your jurisdiction.
- DRM Removal and Conversion: These programs typically automate the process of removing DRM and converting the movies to a DRM-free format. The resulting files can then be easily saved to your external hard drive.
- Legality and Ethical Considerations: Removing DRM is a legal grey area. While it may be acceptable for personal backup purposes, distributing or sharing DRM-free copies is illegal and unethical. Consider the copyright laws in your area.
- Example Software: Some examples (for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement) include TunesKit M4V Converter and Aimersoft DRM Media Converter. Always perform thorough research before using any third-party software.
Disclaimer: We do not endorse the use of software to circumvent DRM for illegal purposes. This section is for informational purposes only. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable copyright laws.
3. Screen Recording (A Less Ideal Solution)
While less efficient and potentially lower quality, screen recording offers a method to capture the movie as it plays.
- Using Screen Recording Software: Mac computers have a built-in screen recording function (Shift-Command-5). Windows users can use the Xbox Game Bar (Windows key + G) or third-party screen recording software like OBS Studio.
- Playback and Recording: Play the iTunes movie in full screen and start the screen recording.
- Save and Transfer: Once the recording is complete, save the video file and transfer it to your external hard drive.
- Drawbacks: This method is time-consuming, results in lower video quality, and might violate iTunes’ terms of service depending on the specific wording. It is generally not recommended.
Choosing the Right Method
The best method for saving iTunes movies to an external hard drive depends on your individual needs and circumstances. If you simply want a backup and plan to watch the movies on authorized devices, the authorized computer transfer is the safest and most straightforward approach. If you need more flexibility and are comfortable with the ethical and legal considerations, third-party software might be an option. Screen recording should only be considered as a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to common questions about saving iTunes movies to an external hard drive:
FAQ 1: Can I directly drag and drop iTunes movie files to my external hard drive?
No, you can’t simply drag and drop the movie files. The files are protected by DRM, and transferring them directly will only copy the DRM-protected file, which can only be played on authorized devices through iTunes or the Apple TV app.
FAQ 2: What happens if I try to play an iTunes movie on a non-authorized computer?
You will likely encounter an error message stating that the movie cannot be played because the computer is not authorized to play it. You need to authorize the computer with the same Apple ID used to purchase the movie.
FAQ 3: How many computers can I authorize with my Apple ID?
You can authorize up to five computers with your Apple ID.
FAQ 4: How do I deauthorize a computer?
Open iTunes (or the Apple TV app) and go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. This is important when you are no longer using a computer or selling it.
FAQ 5: Will renting a movie affect the process of saving it to an external hard drive?
Rented movies have stricter DRM limitations than purchased movies. They can only be viewed on the device they were rented on and for a limited time. Backing up rented movies to an external hard drive is generally not possible using legitimate methods.
FAQ 6: What file format are iTunes movies typically stored in?
iTunes movies are typically stored in M4V format, which is a video container format developed by Apple. This format often includes FairPlay DRM.
FAQ 7: Does upgrading macOS affect my iTunes library or ability to play downloaded movies?
Generally, upgrading macOS does not affect your iTunes library. The Apple TV app on newer macOS versions replaces iTunes but handles your library seamlessly. You still need to be authorized with your Apple ID to play the movies.
FAQ 8: Is it legal to remove DRM from iTunes movies?
Removing DRM from iTunes movies is a legal grey area and depends on the copyright laws in your jurisdiction. While it might be considered acceptable for personal backup purposes, distributing or sharing DRM-free copies is illegal and unethical.
FAQ 9: Can I play iTunes movies saved on an external hard drive on my smart TV?
If your smart TV supports playing M4V files and is connected to a computer authorized with your Apple ID, you might be able to play the movies. However, most smart TVs do not natively support M4V with DRM. If you have DRM-free files (created using third-party software, for example), you can typically play them on smart TVs via USB.
FAQ 10: What if my external hard drive fails? Will I lose my iTunes movies?
If your external hard drive fails and you haven’t backed up your iTunes movies elsewhere, you will lose the copies saved on that drive. It’s recommended to maintain multiple backups of your important data, including your iTunes movies.
FAQ 11: Can I use Time Machine (macOS’s built-in backup) to back up my iTunes movies?
Yes, Time Machine will back up your entire computer, including your iTunes library and movies. This is a good way to protect your data from hard drive failures.
FAQ 12: Are there cloud storage options for backing up my iTunes movie library?
Yes, you can use cloud storage services like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to back up your iTunes movie library. However, you’ll need sufficient storage space, and uploading large video files can take a significant amount of time. The DRM restrictions still apply, meaning you’ll need to be authorized to play the movies from the cloud storage on a specific device.