What is an M4A file?
M4A stands for MPEG-4 Audio. It was created by Apple, on the MPEG-4 standard and first released in 2001. M4A is an MP4 file that only holds audio, which is why renaming one to .mp4 often works. Voice Memos on iPhone saves recordings as M4A.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy or lossless |
| Usually contains | AAC, or ALAC for lossless files |
| In a browser | plays in all current browsers and every Apple device |
| Common uses | iTunes purchases, iPhone voice memos and Apple Music downloads |
| MIME type | audio/mp4 |
Which format should you convert M4A to?
- M4A to MP3 to play on any device, car stereo or website.
- M4A to WAV to edit in an audio editor or burn to CD.
- M4A to FLAC to archive without losing any quality.
- M4A to MP4 to upload somewhere that only accepts video.
M4A is lossy or lossless depending on how it was saved, so check what a program needs before converting.
How to open an M4A file
Whether an M4A file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Films and TV and Media Player open the common formats; VLC opens almost any audio file, M4A included. |
|---|---|
| Mac | QuickTime Player opens formats Apple supports; VLC or IINA open the rest. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app plays formats Apple supports. For others, a player such as VLC for iOS, or converting the file here, is the easiest route. |
| Android | Most gallery and music apps play the common formats; VLC for Android plays almost everything. |
| Web browser | M4A plays in all current browsers and every Apple device. |
Want the technical details? See what a .m4a file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
M4A compared with other audio formats
How M4A stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M4A | Either | AAC, or ALAC for lossless files | 2001 | iTunes purchases, iPhone voice memos and Apple Music downloads |
| MP3 | Lossy | MP3 audio, typically 128 to 320 kbps | 1993 | music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere |
| WAV | Lossless | uncompressed PCM, usually 16-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz | 1991 | recording, editing, sound effects and CD audio |
| FLAC | Lossless | FLAC lossless audio, up to 32-bit and 655 kHz | 2001 | CD rips, hi-res music stores and audio archives |
| OGG | Lossy | Vorbis, sometimes Opus or FLAC | 2000 | video games, desktop streaming apps and open-source software |
How to use the M4A converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your M4A files on the box, or press Choose M4A files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting M4A files without losing quality
M4A can be lossy or lossless depending on how the file was saved. Either way, converting to a lossless format keeps exactly what is there, and converting to a lossy one trades a little detail for a much smaller file.
- Keep a lossless master. If you have WAV, FLAC, AIFF or ALAC, keep it, and make lossy copies such as MP3 or AAC from it when you need them.
- Avoid converting one lossy format into another more than once. Each MP3, AAC or OGG encode throws away a little more, and the losses add up.
- Match the bitrate to the content: 192 kbps and up for music, 96 to 128 kbps for podcasts, 64 kbps for voice notes.
- Stick to 44.1 kHz for music and 48 kHz for audio that goes with video; resampling between them is harmless but pointless.
Convert M4A files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common M4A conversion, to MP3, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.m4a -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k output.mp3Change the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same ffmpeg engine inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
M4A converter FAQ
What is an M4A file?
M4A stands for MPEG-4 Audio, an audio format created by Apple, on the MPEG-4 standard in 2001. M4A is an MP4 file that only holds audio, which is why renaming one to .mp4 often works. Voice Memos on iPhone saves recordings as M4A.
How do I open an M4A file?
M4A plays in all current browsers and every Apple device. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common M4A conversion?
M4A to MP3 is the conversion people search for most. The audio is decoded and written as MP3 at 192 kbps.
Does converting M4A files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your M4A files never leave your device.
Is the M4A converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many M4A files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert M4A files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your M4A files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several M4A files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.