How to convert M4A to MP3
- Drop one or more .m4a files into the box.
- MP3 is selected. Choose the quality — 128 kbps for speech, 192 kbps or more for music.
- Download the MP3s one by one or as a .zip.
What is M4A?
M4A is an audio file in the MPEG-4 container, usually encoded with AAC. Apple uses it everywhere: iPhone Voice Memos, iTunes and Apple Music purchases (DRM-free ones), GarageBand exports and WhatsApp audio on some phones. It sounds great, but car stereos, older MP3 players, some editing apps and many upload forms only take MP3.
Which bitrate should I pick?
- Voice memos, lectures, interviews — 128 kbps is plenty.
- Music — 192 kbps (default) or 256 kbps.
- 320 kbps — the highest MP3 quality; use it when the M4A itself is high quality.
Converting from one lossy format to another can't add quality, so choosing a bitrate far above the original's doesn't help.
Voice memos: how to get them off your iPhone
In the Voice Memos app, tap a recording, then Share → Save to Files, or AirDrop it to your Mac. Open this page in Safari on the iPhone and you can convert the file right there.
Protected files
Old iTunes Store files with DRM (.m4p) and Apple Music downloads are encrypted and can't be converted by any browser tool. Your own recordings and DRM-free purchases work fine. Got a video instead? Use MP4 to MP3.
Private by design
Audio is decoded by your browser and encoded with the LAME MP3 encoder on your own device. Nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert an iPhone voice memo to MP3?
Save the memo to Files or AirDrop it, then drop the .m4a file here and download the MP3.
Does M4A to MP3 lose quality?
A little, because MP3 is re-encoded. At 192 kbps or higher the difference is not audible for most people.
Can I convert Apple Music songs?
No. Apple Music and old iTunes .m4p files are DRM-protected and cannot be converted.
Can I convert several files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like and download them together as a .zip.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser.