M4A to MP3 Converter
Convert M4A to MP3 online for free. Turn iPhone voice memos, iTunes songs and other M4A audio into MP3 files right in your browser, with nothing uploaded.
- No upload
- No sign-up
- iPhone voice memos
- Up to 320 kbps
Files are converted on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
How to convert M4A to MP3
Three steps in any browser. There is no software to install and no account to create.
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Add your M4A files
Click Choose files or drag one or more M4A files onto the page.
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Pick the MP3 quality
192 kbps suits most recordings. Choose 256 or 320 kbps for songs from iTunes, or 128 kbps to keep voice memos small.
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Download the MP3
Conversion starts automatically. When a file is done, click Download MP3.
Is M4A the same as MP3?
No. Both are compressed audio files, but they are different formats. M4A is the audio-only version of the MPEG-4 file format that Apple uses for iTunes, Apple Music and Voice Memos. The sound inside is usually encoded with AAC, or with Apple Lossless (ALAC) for lossless files. MP3 is an older format with its own codec, MPEG-1 Audio Layer III.
At the same bitrate, AAC usually sounds a little better than MP3, so an M4A file can be smaller for the same quality. MP3 wins on compatibility: it plays on almost every car stereo, older MP3 player, smart speaker and audio editor, and some upload forms still accept only MP3. That is the main reason to convert M4A to MP3.
| M4A | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Audio codec | AAC, or Apple Lossless (ALAC) | MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) |
| Typical source | iPhone, Mac, iTunes, Apple Music, Android recorders | Downloads, podcasts, older players and apps |
| Quality at the same bitrate | Slightly better | Good |
| Lossless option | Yes (ALAC) | No |
| Plays on | Apple devices, modern phones and browsers | Practically every device and app |
Renaming a file from .m4a to .mp3 does not convert it. Some players cope, many do not. The audio has to be re-encoded, which is what this converter does.
How to convert M4A to MP3 on iPhone, Mac and Windows
The converter works the same way in Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox. Each system also has a built-in route if you prefer an app.
iPhone and iPad
Open this page in Safari, tap Choose files and pick the M4A from the Files app. iOS has no built-in M4A to MP3 converter. The MP3 is saved to Downloads in the Files app.
Mac
Use any browser on this page. In the Music app, you can also set Settings > Files > Import Settings to MP3 Encoder, select the songs, then choose File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.
Windows
Use Edge, Chrome or Firefox on this page, with nothing to install. iTunes for Windows has the same Create MP3 Version command, and VLC can convert with Media > Convert / Save.
Convert voice memos, iTunes songs and other M4A files
Most M4A files come from Apple devices and apps. The converter reads the audio inside, so AAC and Apple Lossless files both work.
iPhone and Mac voice memos
Voice Memos saves every recording as M4A. On iPhone, tap the recording, tap the More button, then Share > Save to Files, and add it here.
Songs from iTunes
Songs bought from the iTunes Store are DRM-free M4A files. Convert them to MP3 for a car stereo, a USB stick or an older MP3 player.
GarageBand, QuickTime and recorder apps
GarageBand, QuickTime Player's Audio Only export and many Android recorder apps save M4A. To start from the video instead, use the MOV to MP3 converter.
Converting a recording to get a transcript?
You can skip the MP3. Our AI transcription reads M4A files directly and gives you text with timestamps and speaker labels, ready to export as TXT or SRT subtitles. If you have already converted, click Transcribe to text next to your file.
M4A to MP3 FAQ
How do I convert M4A to MP3 for free?
Click Choose files or drag your M4A files onto this page, pick an MP3 quality, and the conversion starts right away. When a file is done, click Download MP3. It is completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit.
Is M4A the same as MP3?
No. M4A is an MPEG-4 audio file, usually encoded with AAC, while MP3 uses the older MP3 codec. AAC sounds slightly better at the same bitrate, but MP3 plays on more devices and apps.
Are my M4A files uploaded to a server?
No. The converter runs in your browser using FFmpeg compiled to WebAssembly, so your M4A files are read and converted on your own device and never sent to our servers. Only the converter engine itself is downloaded, once.
How do I convert M4A to MP3 on iPhone?
Open this page in Safari, tap Choose files and pick the M4A from the Files app. To convert a voice memo, save it to Files first: tap the recording, tap the More button, then Share > Save to Files. The MP3 is saved to the Downloads folder in the Files app.
How do I convert M4A to MP3 on a Mac?
Open this page in Safari, Chrome or Firefox, add the M4A files and download the MP3s. The Music app can also do it with File > Convert > Create MP3 Version, once Import Settings is set to MP3 Encoder.
How do I convert M4A to MP3 on Windows?
Open this page in Edge, Chrome or Firefox and add your files. There is nothing to install. If you prefer a desktop app, iTunes for Windows and VLC can convert M4A to MP3 too.
Does converting M4A to MP3 lose quality?
A little, because both formats are lossy and the audio is compressed a second time. At 192 kbps or higher the difference is very hard to hear. For songs from iTunes, which are 256 kbps AAC, choose 256 or 320 kbps. Converting cannot add quality that the M4A did not have.
Can I convert Apple Lossless (ALAC) M4A files?
Yes. M4A files with Apple Lossless audio convert like any other M4A. Choose 320 kbps to keep as much detail as possible, and keep the original file if you may need lossless audio later.
Does the MP3 keep the title and artist?
Yes. The title, artist, album and other text tags are copied into the MP3. Album artwork is not copied, so add it again in your music app if you need it.
Why can't I convert some iTunes or Apple Music files?
Apple Music downloads and some older iTunes purchases are copy-protected with DRM, often with an .m4p extension. No browser tool can convert protected files. Songs bought from the iTunes Store since 2009 are DRM-free M4A files and convert normally.
Can I convert several M4A files at once?
Yes. Select or drop several M4A files together. They are converted one after another, and each MP3 gets its own download button.
Can I turn an M4A recording into text?
Yes. Click Transcribe to text next to a converted file, or upload the original M4A to TranscribeText's AI transcription, which reads M4A directly. You get a transcript with timestamps, ready to export as TXT or SRT subtitles.
Why is the first M4A conversion slower?
The first time, your browser downloads the converter engine (about 9 MB). It is cached afterwards, so the next M4A files start converting almost immediately.
Conversion is powered by FFmpeg via ffmpeg.wasm, running locally in your browser.