What is an M4R file?
M4R stands for iPhone ringtone. It was created by Apple and first released in 2007. M4R is an M4A file with a different extension that tells iPhone and Finder to treat it as a ringtone. Ringtones are limited to 40 seconds.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | AAC audio, up to 40 seconds for a ringtone |
| In a browser | plays in browsers that play M4A; iPhones use it as a ringtone |
| Common uses | custom ringtones and alert tones on iPhone |
| MIME type | audio/mp4 |
Which format should you convert M4R to?
- M4R to MP3 to play on any device, car stereo or website.
- M4R to M4A for iPhone, iTunes and Apple Music.
- M4R to WAV to edit in an audio editor or burn to CD.
M4R is already lossy, so converting it to a lossless format makes the file bigger without improving it; pick a lossless target only if a program requires one.
How to open an M4R file
Whether an M4R 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, M4R 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 | M4R plays in browsers that play M4A; iPhones use it as a ringtone. |
Want the technical details? See what a .m4r file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
M4R compared with other audio formats
How M4R stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M4R | Lossy | AAC audio, up to 40 seconds for a ringtone | 2007 | custom ringtones and alert tones on iPhone |
| 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 |
| M4A | Either | AAC, or ALAC for lossless files | 2001 | iTunes purchases, iPhone voice memos and Apple Music downloads |
| FLAC | Lossless | FLAC lossless audio, up to 32-bit and 655 kHz | 2001 | CD rips, hi-res music stores and audio archives |
How to use the M4R converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your M4R files on the box, or press Choose M4R 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 M4R files without losing quality
M4R is lossy, so some detail was already discarded when the file was made. Converting it cannot bring that back. Converting to a lossless format preserves what is left exactly but makes the file larger; converting to another lossy format adds a small extra loss, which is invisible at sensible settings.
- 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 M4R files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common M4R conversion, to MP3, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.m4r -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.
M4R converter FAQ
What is an M4R file?
M4R stands for iPhone ringtone, an audio format created by Apple in 2007. M4R is an M4A file with a different extension that tells iPhone and Finder to treat it as a ringtone. Ringtones are limited to 40 seconds.
How do I open an M4R file?
M4R plays in browsers that play M4A; iPhones use it as a ringtone. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common M4R conversion?
M4R to MP3 is the conversion people search for most. The audio is decoded and written as MP3 at 192 kbps.
Does converting M4R files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your M4R files never leave your device.
Is the M4R converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many M4R files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert M4R files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your M4R files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several M4R files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.