M4A is a kind of format developed by Apple Company, encoded with AAC lossy compression. It is commonly used in the DRM-free Apple Music tracks from iTunes. In comparison with MP3, M4A has obvious advantages: the size is smaller and the audio quality is better.
However, MP3 is still the most popular audio format due to its better compatibility across all devices and platforms, while M4A is only suitable for Apple devices. That is to say, if you would like to play M4A files on any non-Apple devices, it is necessary to convert M4A to other common formats such as MP3. So, in this article, we will share some best ways to convert M4A to MP3 on Mac, Windows, free and online. Just pick up the most appropriate one that suits you.
Part 1. How to Convert M4A to MP3 on Mac [Official Tools]
If you are using a Mac computer, there are official tools to help you convert M4A files to MP3 audio format. Now, let's check them below.
1. Via iTunes/Apple Music App
iTunes Store offers millions of M4A music for listening and downloading. More importantly, it has a built-in function to convert M4A to MP3 directly. By the way, you can also change the default iTunes encoder to create audio files to MP3. Now, let's see how to use iTunes/Apple Music app as an audio file converter to do M4A conversion to MP3.
Step 1. Open iTunes or Apple Music app on your Mac computer.
Step 2. Hit "Edit", and select the "Preferences" > "General" > "Import Settings" menu.
Step 3. In the "Import Using" dropdown menu, choose "MP3 Encoder".
Step 4. Select "Higher Quality" and then click "OK" on both open windows to preserve the changes.
Step 5. Choose "Music" in the "Library" section on the left-side list in iTunes/Music app.
Step 6. Select the M4A songs or albums, and check the "Advanced" menu.
Step 7. Then press "Create MP3 Version" to create MP3 copies from M4A. Locate the iTunes folder on your computer to find the MP3 files.
2. Via GarageBand
GarageBand is also a great helper to convert M4A to MP3 files. Now, follow the steps below to learn how to do that.
Step 1. Open GarageBand, then choose File > New > Empty Project > Choose.
Step 2. In the Create New Track window, choose Mic or Line.
Step 3. Now, drag and drop M4A files from Finder to the Tracks section in GarageBand.
Step 4. Hit on the Metronome icon on the screen to turn it off.
Step 5. Touch the audio file in the Tracks section, then select Share > Export Song to Disk.
Step 6. Choose MP3, reset quality, choose the location to save the file, then hit Export.
After that, the M4A files will be exported as MP3 files on your Mac computer.
Part 2. How to Convert M4A to MP3 Windows/Mac [Best Tool]
Though using iTunes, Apple Music or GarageBand to convert M4A file to MP3 is straightforward, there are less features among them. So, here we'd like to introduce the best M4A to MP3 converter to you. It is AudFree Audio Converter. It allows you to convert Apple Music to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, M4B, etc. on both Mac and Windows platforms. Using advanced audio processing technology, it converts audio 17 times faster. You can convert multiple M4A files to MP3 simultaneously, saving you time and effort.
Besides, it preserves the original audio quality, ensuring that your converted MP3 files sound as good as the original ones. The software also provides a range of customizable output settings. You can adjust parameters like bit rate, sample rate, and more according to your preferences, allowing you to achieve the desired audio quality.
Key Features of AudFree Apple Music Converter
✔️ Convert Apple Music songs, playlists, albums, etc.
✔️ Batch convert M4A to MP3 320kbps, and other formats like WAV, M4A, M4B, AIFF, Lossless, and FLAC
✔️ Customize the parameters of M4A songs, such as bit rate, sample rate, etc.
✔️ Keep the original audio quality and ID3 tags of M4A files
✔️ Support rapid conversion, convert multiple M4A files at one time
How to Convert M4A to MP3 on Mac/Windows
- Step 1 Import M4A Songs to AudFree Auditior
- Download and run AudFree M4A to MP3 Converter. Then log in to your Apple Music account. Click the the target audio content and click the "add music" icon > Add to list button to add M4A files.
- Step 2Customize M4A Songs Output Format to MP3
- Click the "menu" icon at the top-right corner of the main page, then pick up Preferences to open the new window. Simply tap Conversion and switch the output format to MP3, and you can also change the bit rate, sample rate and channel of the output audio. Later, hit OK to apply.
- Step 3Download and Convert M4A to MP3
- Click the big "Convert" button on the lower-right corner in the Converting window to get M4A convert to MP3. Wait for a few seconds and click the "Converted" button to browse the MP3 file. You can also directly navigate to the destination folder on your computer to view the MP3 downloads. After that, you can play the files on computer or move them to other devices for offline playback.
Part 3. How to Convert M4A to MP3 Free
The AudFree Audio Converter above offers a free trial to change M4A to MP3, but not the whole audio track. If you want to use the full version, you need to buy it. If not, you can check the free M4A to MP3 converter here.
Audacity is an M4A to MP3 converter free as it has been packed with a built-in LAME MP3 Encoder. But you need to install the FFmpeg library to use it. Here we will show you how to use Audacity to change M4A to MP3 for free. We will take the Mac version as an example.
Step 1. Download and install Audacity on your Mac computer.
Step 2. Download the LAME MP3 Encoder files or FFmpeg.
Step 3. Launch Audacity from your Mac. Then tap 'Audacity' on the top-left menu bar and choose 'Preferences' > 'Libraries' to locate and import the FFmpeg library.
Step 4. Go back to Audacity's main screen and add M4A audio files you want to convert to MP3.
Step 5. Alter the output audio quality and other settings according to your needs.
Step 6. Click on 'File' > 'Export' > 'Export as MP3' at the top menu bar. Then choose 'Save' in the pop-up window.
Step 7. Edit the metadata tags you want and hit on 'OK' to get M4A to MP3 for free.
Part 4. How to Convert M4A to MP3 Online Free
Since some users want to get M4A to MP3 converter online free, here we have compiled three top online tools to convert M4A into MP3 easily. Without further ado, let's get into their details and tutorials on how to use them on Android, iOS, Mac or Windows devices.
#1. CloudConvert
CloudConvert is an online file converter that supports over 200 file formats, including M4A and MP3. It allows you to convert files up to 1GB in size, and you can either upload the file from your computer or import it from a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. CloudConvert offers a free plan with limited features and up to 25 conversions per day, and it also has a paid plan with additional features.
How to Convert M4A to MP3 Online for Free via CloudConvert
Step 1. Go to CloudConvert M4A to MP3 Converter.
Step 2. Click on "Select File" and choose the M4A file you want to convert.
Step 3. Select "MP3" as the output format.
Step 4. Click on "Conversion" and wait for the conversion to finish.
Step 5. Hit on "Download" to save the converted MP3 file to your device.
#2. Convertio
Convertio is also a reliable and efficient tool for users who need to convert files quickly and easily. It allows users to convert various types of files into over 300 different file formats, like M4A, MP3, FLAC. With it, users can convert documents, images, audio files, videos, and even e-Books.
How to Change M4A to MP3 Online via Convertio
Step 1. Navigate to the Convertio website.
Step 2. Tap on "Choose Files" and select the M4A file from your computer.
Step 3. MP3 is now the default output format, and you can also set any other format you want.
Step 4. Click the red "Convert" button to start the conversion process.
Step 5. Once the conversion is finished, click the "Download" button to get the MP3 file locally.
#3. FreeConvert
FreeConvert is the last tool to be introduced, providing a simple solution for M4A file conversion needs. It supports more than 1500 file conversions, and M4A and MP3 formats are undoubtedly on the list. With it, you can convert videos, images, audio files or eBooks on Windows, Mac, Linux or any mobile devices. Besides, your uploaded files will be automatically deleted after 4 hours of conversion, which protects your privacy.
How to Convert M4A to MP3 Free Online via FreeConvert
Step 1. Visit FreeConvert official website.
Step 2. Click the "Choose Files" button to select your favorite M4A file, or just drag and drop it to the upload window.
Step 3. Choose "Convert to MP3" to start converting M4A files to MP3.
Step 4. When finished, click the "Download MP3" button to download the MP3 file to your computer.
Part 5. FAQs about Converting M4A to MP3
Q1: What's M4A vs What's MP3?
A: M4A stands for MPEG-4 Audio, a file extension created by Apple. It's a lossy audio format that's similar to MP3 in terms of sound quality but is compressed using Apple's proprietary codec. MP3, on the other hand, stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer III. It is a widely used audio format that's compatible with almost all media players and devices.
M4A uses the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) compression algorithm, which provides better quality at the same bit rate as MP3. This means that M4A files are generally smaller in size and have better sound quality than MP3 files.
| M4A | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Quality | Better quality | Lossy quality |
| Compatibility | Frequently on Apple devices | Almost all devices and music players |
| File size | Small size | Larger size in the same level |
View also: M4A vs MP3 [Full Review]
Q2: Can I Convert M4A File to MP3 with Windows Media Player?
A: Yes, you can. You can open Windows Media Player and add M4A files to its library. Then hit on 'Organize' > 'Option' > 'Rip Music'. Next, tap the 'Format' button in the 'Option' window and choose 'MP3' to output M4A to MP3 files.
Q3: Can I Convert M4A to MP3 on iPhone Free?
A: You can use The Audio Converter on iPhone to change M4A to MP3. It is a free app. Just download, install and open it on your iPhone. Then import M4A files to it and set output format as MP3. Later, hit on 'Convert' to save M4A files to MP3 format.
Q4: Can I Use VLC to Change M4A File to MP3 on Mac?
A: Yes, you can do that via VLC media player. Just add M4A files to VLC and then proceed to convert M4A format to MP3.
Q5: Which Is the Best M4A to MP3 Converter?
A: Among the ways above, the best one is using AudFree Audio Converter. It has more functions and is powerful. It can convert M4A to MP3 and other audio formats with high quality. Besides, it allows you to customize output audio parameters and so on.
Q6: How Do I Convert M4A to MP3 without iTunes?
A: You can use Audacity, Apowersoft, AudFree Apple Music Converter and other tools to convert M4A file to MP3 without using iTunes.
Q7: Can I Convert M4A to MP3 Android?
A: Yes. You can use online audio converters, or the dedicated M4A to MP3 converter app for Android to make it.
Part 6. In Conclusion
Converting M4A to MP3 is essential if you want to play your audio files on devices or media players that don't support the M4A format. Whether you're using a Mac or Windows computer or don't want to install any software, there are many free online and professional ways to convert your files. We hope this guide has been helpful in showing you how to convert M4A to MP3 easily and efficiently.
James Blair
Staff Editor
