How to Convert Apple Music to M4A on Mac/Windows/Free [Hot Guide]

Part 1. How to Convert Apple Music to M4A via Professional Tools

To convert Apple Music M4P to M4A, it is recommended to use a dedicated Apple Music converter. This method is the most effective and reliable. To help you, we'd like to introduce two tools to you.

1. How to Convert Apple Music to M4A via AudFree Apple Music Converter

AudFree Audio Converter is a powerful tool for Apple Music users to download and convert music content like songs, playlists, albums, etc. from Apple Music losslessly. It supports to convert Apple Music M4P files to M4A, MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4B, etc. on both Mac and Windows platforms. Besides, it can convert multiple Apple Music tracks simultaneously. So, it won't take you much time and effort to do the job.

Moreover, it can retain the original audio quality and complete metadata like title, artist, year, etc. of Apple Music files. Also, it offers cutomizations like bit rate, sample rate, and more. You can adjust them to get a better output quality of Apple Music tracks.

Step 1 Import Apple Music Songs to AudFree Auditior

Click the Download button below to download and install AudFree Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer. Then open the program and log in to your Apple Music account in the built-in Apple Music web player. Later, browse the Apple Music library to find any track you want to convert to M4A format. Then tap the track and click the "add music" icon > Add to list button to add Apple Music files.

Step 2Customize Output Format for Apple Music to M4A

After loading Apple Music songs into AudFree program, find and hit the "menu" icon at the top-right corner of the main interface. Then choose Preferences and a new window will appear. Now, tap the Conversion option and go to pick up the output format as M4A. You can also change bitrate to 256 kbps to get original Apple Music quality, reset sample rate and channel for Apple Music and choose to save lyrics. Later, hit OK to apply.

View also: How to Get Apple Music Lyrics

Step 3Download and Convert Apple Music to M4A

Now, go to the Converting window and click the big "Convert" button on the bottom-right corner. Then AudFree program will start to get Apple Music convert to M4A audio format you set. Once converted, click the "Converted" option and you can find M4A file in the window. Then click the Open Folder icon to locate the files in your computer's folder.

After that, you can play the local Apple Music to M4A files on your computer. Or, you can move them to your desired M4A-compatible devices or players for offline playback, even after you cancel your Apple Music subscription.

2. How to Convert Apple Music to M4A via AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder

AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder is another recommended tool for you to get Apple Music as M4A audio files. It supports to download Apple Music with high quality and full ID3 tags. Besides, it can batch convert audio content from Apple Music at the same time. Also, it allows you to customize output audio parameters like audio channel, sample rate and more. Most surprisingly, it supports to convert music from multiple music streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, SoundCloud, Deezer, Tidal and more.

Now, check the detailed steps below to learn how to download Apple Music files to M4A format.

Step 1. Download and install AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder on your desktop via the Download button below.

Step 2. Launch the program and you will see its main screen. Then locate the Menu icon at the top-right corner and choose Preferences.

Step 3. In the new window, choose M4A as output audio format for Apple Music songs. By the way, you can reset sample rate and others for the music. Then tap OK.

Step 4. After settings, tap the Apple Music icon at the AudFree tool's main screen. Then you need to log in to your Apple Music account.

Step 5. Find and add music into AudFree program's Converting list window for converting.

Step 6. At last, tap the Convert button to start converting Apple Music to M4A audio files.

Pros:

• Keep high quality of Apple Music files during the conversion
• Retain all ID3 tags of Apple Music tracks, like album artwork, song title, artist, etc.
• Convert Apple Music whole playlists or albums, tracks, etc. in batches at once
• Download Apple Music files at up to 17X speed
• Convert and save Apple Music to multiple audio formats, like M4A, FLAC, WAV, MP3, etc.

Cons:

• Works on Windows and Mac computers only
• Not free

Part 2. How to Convert Apple Music to M4A via Free Tool

If you only want to convert a single track and don't want to pay for a tool, you can try using Audacity. It is a free audio recorder that can help capture Apple Music to M4A for free. Here we will show you how to use this tool step by step.

Step 1. Install and set up Audacity to Windows WASAPI on your computer.

Step 2. Now, tap the Record button in Audacity.

Step 4. Go to Apple Music app and start to play a track you like to convert to M4A.

Step 5. Later, stop recording and hit 'File' > 'Export' > 'Export Audio'. Then in the new window, choose format as M4A and tap the Export button to save Apple Music to M4A files.

Pros:

• It is free to use
• Best for users who only need to convert a few tracks

Cons:

• Record Apple Music one by one manually
• Output quality is lossy
• Won't keep song title, or other metadata

Part 3. FAQs about Apple Music to M4A

Q1: Why Do You Choose to Convert Apple Music to M4A over MP3?

A: M4A (MPEG-4 Audio) is a lossy audio format, which offers better sound quality than MP3 at the same bitrate. Besides, Apple Music's original files use the AAC codec, so the most direct and quality-retaining method is to convert to M4A.

View also: M4A vs MP3 [Full Review]

Q2: Do I Need an Active Apple Music Subscription to Convert Apple Music to M4A?

A: Yes. Tools like AudFree Apple Music Converter or AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder require you to log in to your Apple Music account via the built-in Apple Music web player to access music library. Then you can proceed the conversion process.

Q3: Can I Keep Apple Music to M4A Files If I Cancel My Apple Music Subscription?

A: Yes. If you use tools like AudFree Apple Music Converter to get Apple Music as M4A files, then you can keep the M4A files forever on your local device, even if you cancel your Apple Music subscription.

Q4: Which Is the Best Apple Music to M4A Converter?

A: AudFree Apple Music Converter would be better to download Apple Music songs to M4A. It provides more features and functions, including batch conversion, fast download speed, multiple output formats, high-quality saving and so on.

Part 4. In Conclusion

Those are the ways for you to convert Apple Music to M4A audio files for personal use. If you prefer high-quality output, super conversion speed and so on, then you can opt for AudFree Apple Music Converter or AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder. If you want a free tool and don't have many songs for converting, you can choose Audacity. Just pick up the right tool to get music for offline listening.