How to convert M4A to MP3
- Drop an .m4a or .aac file, for example a voice memo shared from an iPhone.
- MP3 is selected; choose 128 kbps for voice or 192+ for music.
- Trim silence at the start or end if you like, then click Download.
About M4A
M4A is an MPEG-4 audio file, usually containing AAC audio. It is the default for iPhone Voice Memos, many Mac apps and tracks bought from iTunes. AAC is actually more efficient than MP3, but MP3 is accepted by more car stereos, older players, some websites and transcription services, which is why people convert.
The file is decoded by your browser (all current browsers support AAC) and re-encoded to MP3 with the LAME encoder. Converting between lossy formats costs a little quality, so use a slightly higher bitrate than the original. Files purchased with DRM protection (old iTunes "M4P" files) cannot be decoded. Everything runs locally, so private recordings stay private.
FAQ
Can I convert iPhone voice memos?
Yes. Share the memo to Files or email it to yourself, then drop the .m4a file here.
Will it work with Apple Lossless (ALAC)?
Safari can decode ALAC in M4A; other browsers may not.
Does it lose quality?
Slightly, as both formats are lossy. 192 kbps or higher sounds transparent for most music.