M4A to MP3 converter
Make M4A files play in any app or car stereo.
Runs in your browser. Your files never leave your device.
- Choose the bitrate
- Batch convert
- Nothing uploaded
How to convert M4A to MP3
- Drop your M4A files here.
- Pick a bitrate.
- Download the MP3 files.
Where M4A files come from
- iTunes and Apple Music purchases and downloads.
- The Voice Memos app on iPhone and iPad.
- Podcast apps and some audiobook downloads.
- Ringtones and voicemail exports on iOS.
M4A vs MP3
| M4A (AAC) | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Very good on Apple devices, good elsewhere | Plays on almost everything ever made |
| Efficiency | Slightly better quality per kbps | Slightly larger for the same quality |
| Editing software support | Less universal | Supported by nearly every audio tool |
Apple's own format vs the universal one
Apple adopted AAC, wrapped in the M4A container, as the default for iTunes downloads back in 2003, since it sounds better than MP3 at a given bitrate. That's fine as long as everything you own plays AAC. The moment an M4A needs to go into an older car stereo, a basic MP3 player, some video editing software, or any app that only lists MP3 as a supported format, converting it solves the problem in one step instead of hunting for a workaround on the device itself.
Converting a voice memo for someone else
The Voice Memos app on iPhone saves recordings as M4A and has its own share sheet, which sometimes still hands off the raw M4A file rather than converting it first. If the person you're sending it to says the file won't open, that's the usual reason. Converting it to MP3 here before sending sidesteps the problem for good, since MP3 doesn't need any particular app, operating system or device to play back correctly, unlike M4A on some older Android phones and basic feature phones.
M4A to MP3 FAQ
What is an M4A file?
M4A is an audio-only MP4 file holding AAC audio, commonly used by iTunes and Apple Music downloads, podcast apps, and the iPhone's Voice Memos app.
Why won't my M4A play on some devices?
Some older car stereos, speakers and media players only read MP3, so converting fixes playback even though M4A is a common, well-supported format on newer devices.
Which bitrate should I use?
192 kbps is a good balance for music. Use 320 kbps for the closest match to the original, or 128 kbps for voice memos and spoken recordings.
Will converting lose quality?
M4A's AAC audio is already lossy, and MP3 is a different lossy codec, so re-encoding is a second compression step. At 256 kbps or higher the difference is hard to hear for most listening.
Is this the same as converting a voice memo?
Yes. iPhone Voice Memos are saved as M4A files, and they convert to MP3 the same way as music M4A files.
How is M4A different from a raw AAC file?
M4A wraps AAC audio in an MP4 container with proper file info. A raw .aac file has no container at all. Both convert to MP3 here, but from separate pages.
Will the converted MP3 keep the song title and artist information?
No. This conversion focuses on the audio itself, not the surrounding metadata, so re-tag the MP3 afterward in your music app if you need the title, artist and album filled back in.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The conversion happens in your browser.