How to Rip DVDs to iTunes for Free: 3 Methods & Guide

Like many Apple users, I once had a shelf full of DVDs but no easy way to enjoy them on my iPhone or Mac. Every time I wanted to watch a movie, I had to dig out a player or use an external drive, which felt clumsy compared with the convenience of iTunes.

That's why learning how to rip DVDs into iTunes (or the Apple TV app on Mac) makes such a difference. The right method not only digitizes DVDs on your Windows and Mac, but also ensures the files sync smoothly with iTunes and play perfectly on all devices. In this guide, I'll walk you through the three best ways to make it happen—based on tools I've actually tested.

How to Rip DVDs to iTunes with DVDFab DVD Ripper

When it comes to putting DVDs into iTunes, DVDFab DVD Ripper is the most complete option I've tried. It doesn't just turn discs into MP4 or M4V files that iTunes accepts, it also gives you control over video quality, audio tracks, subtitles, and file size.

With these features, DVDFab DVD Ripper makes it simple to build an iTunes library out of your physical collection while keeping full control over how your movies look and sound.

Method 1: Transfer to iPhone or Mac by selecting the device

Step 1: To know how to transfer DVDs to iTunes by selecting the iPhone or Mac device option, you must launch the DVDFab 13 version on your Windows or Mac system > Select the Ripper module. Then, insert a physical DVD into your system's optical drive. The DVDFab program will automatically recognize and load it.

Step 2: Once the loading is complete, start customizing the output profile, depending on your choice. You can rip the entire DVD or any part of it by selecting the "Choose Other titles". For customization, you can also select audio tracks, subtitles, chapters, add external subtitles, etc.

Step 3: To go to the Profile library, you need to select the Choose Other Profile option. Then select the "Device" or "Apple" option to locate your desired iPhone or Mac option as the output profile. This tool supports ripping DVDs to multiple versions of iPhone or Mac.

Step 4: Select "Advanced Settings" to customize various audio-video parameters as output profiles. Select output quality as your requirements. For video editing requirements of the output profile, head to the built-in "Video Editor" section to explore various trimming, cutting, cropping, and saturation adjustment functions.

Step 5: Next, select the output directory option. You can save the ripped DVD to your system's hard drive or mobile device. Once done, select the "Start" option to convert the DVD to an iPhone or Mac, depending on what device you have selected before for the lightning-speed conversion.

Method 2: Choose an iTunes Compatible Format

Step: In this method, you have to follow the Method 1 steps from the beginning till to the Choose Other Profile library option. After that, instead of selecting the "Device" or "Apple" option, you need to select the "Format" or "Video" option to rip DVD to MP4 or any other format that is supported by your iPhone or Mac device. After that, you must follow the same steps of Method 1 from Advanced Settings customization until the end.

How to Import DVD Movies into iTunes

Now that you have rip DVDs into an iTunes-compatible format, the final step is to add those files into your media library. The process is slightly different on Windows and Mac. Follow the instructions below.

On Windows (with iTunes)

1. Make sure you are running the latest version of iTunes for Windows.
2. Press the Alt key to open the menu bar, then go to File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library.
3. Browse and select the DVD video files you just converted. You can also drag and drop them directly into the Movies section of iTunes.
4. Once imported, the movies will appear under Home Videos. You can then sync them to your iOS device through iTunes using Wi-Fi or a USB cable.

on Mac (with Apple TV app and Finder)

Starting from macOS Catalina, iTunes has been replaced by the Apple TV app and device sync happens in Finder.

1. Open the Apple TV app on your Mac. From the top menu, choose File > Import, then select your converted DVD movies. They will be categorized under Home Videos.
2. Connect your iPhone or iPad via USB cable (or enable Wi-Fi sync). Open Finder, select your device from the sidebar, and click the Movies tab.
3. Check the boxes next to the imported Home Videos you want, then click Apply to sync.

How to Rip DVDs to iTunes for Free with HandBrake

If you prefer a free and open-source solution, HandBrake is one of the most popular options for converting DVDs into formats that work with iTunes or the Apple TV app. It is lightweight, flexible, and comes with ready-made device presets. However, it's important to note that HandBrake cannot bypass copy protections. For commercial discs that use advanced encryption, you'll need additional software before HandBrake can process them.

Pros of HandBrake:

• Free and open-source, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Converts DVDs into MP4 or M4V with H.264 or H.265 codecs, formats fully supported by iTunes
• Device presets such as Apple 720p for quick setup and playback on Apple devices
• Options for chapters, chapter markers, and batch queueing
• Useful video filters like deinterlace, denoise, deblock, cropping, and more

Cons of HandBrake:

• Commercial encrypted discs won't work directly
• No built-in advanced video editing tools beyond basic filters

Steps to Rip DVDs for iTunes with HandBrake

Step 1: Launch HandBrake and insert your DVD. The program will attempt to scan the disc.

Step 2: Once the DVD titles appear, go to Presets > Devices and select an Apple-friendly option such as Apple 720p. This ensures compatibility with iTunes and iOS playback.

Step 3: You can adjust settings in the Video and Audio tabs—choose codec (H.264/265), set frame rate, bitrate, or pick subtitle tracks.

Step 4: Once you are done with the Settings, choose an output folder and click Start Encode to begin the conversion. A progress bar will show the remaining time.

How to Convert DVD to iTunes with VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is widely known as a free player that can handle almost any video or audio file. What many users don't realize is that you can also rip DVDs with VLC to create simple digital copies in formats like MP4. Once converted, these files can be added to iTunes or the Apple TV app for playback on iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

However, it's worth noting that VLC is not a professional DVD ripper. Its conversion options are quite limited compared with dedicated software.

Pros of VLC:

• Allowing you to rip DVD to MP4 on Mac, Windows, and Linux OS
• Lightweight and does not consume many system resources
• Plays almost any video or audio file in addition to DVD discs
• Includes bonus features like streaming, screen recording, and basic conversions

Cons of VLC:

• Cannot decrypt copy-protected DVDs directly
• Conversion is slower since there is no GPU acceleration
• Output quality can be inconsistent compared with professional rippers

Steps to Rip DVDs for iTunes with VLC

Step 1: Download VLC and open it on your computer. Then, insert your DVD into the computer's drive.

Step 2: Go to the Media menu in the top bar and choose Convert / Save. In the pop-up window, click the Disc tab, then confirm your DVD drive is selected.

Step 3: In the Convert window, select an iTunes-compatible format such as MP4 (H.264 + AAC). You can also adjust basic settings like resolution, bitrate, or audio track.

Step 4: Click Browse to choose where the converted video will be saved and give the file a name. Once you have made all the changes, hit the "Convert/Save" option.

When the process finishes, open iTunes (Windows) or the Apple TV app (Mac), go to File > Add to Library, and import the MP4 file. You can then sync it to your iPhone or iPad through iTunes or Finder.

Quick Guide to Rip Blu-ray to iTunes

If you also keep Blu-ray discs in your collection, you can bring them into the same library as your DVDs by converting them into an iTunes-friendly format. Unlike DVDs, most Blu-rays come with advanced copy protections, so you'll need a tool such as DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper that can both decrypt and convert the disc.

How to Rip Blu-ray for iTunes with DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper

Step 1: After launching DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper, insert the Blu-ray disc, or load a Blu-ray ISO file or folder. After scanning, choose the main movie title or other chapters you want, and select the desired audio track and subtitle options.

Step 2: Click Choose Other Profile in the interface. From there, you can either navigate to Device > Apple and pick a preset device profile, or go to Format and select MP4 or M4V directly.

Step 3: In the Advanced Settings panel, you can fine-tune resolution, bitrate, frame rate, or codec. You can also use the built-in editor to crop, trim, or add subtitles before starting the conversion.

Step 4: Select an output folder and click Start. Finally, import them into iTunes or Apple TV app.

Conclusion

If you want to keep your movie collection within easy reach on iPad, Mac, or PC, converting discs into digital files and adding them to iTunes or the Apple TV app is the most practical way. Among the methods covered, DVDFab DVD Ripper give you fine control over quality, and playback options. And if you also own Blu-ray discs, the Blu-ray Quick Guide in this article shows how to convert them into the same iTunes library, so your entire collection can be enjoyed in one place.