How to Convert M4A to MP3 — The iTunes Audio Format Explained
M4A files are Apple's preferred audio format, used in iTunes, Apple Music, and App Store purchases. If you want to play them on non-Apple devices or players that don't support M4A, you'll need to convert them.
What is M4A?
M4A is an MPEG-4 container (.mp4) containing only audio (no video). It can hold:
- AAC (Advanced Audio Coding): the most common codec — lossy, high quality
- ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec): lossless, for high-fidelity music
Most M4A files from iTunes purchases or Apple Music exports use AAC.
M4A vs MP3: key differences
| Aspect | M4A (AAC) | MP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Quality at equal bitrate | Better | Reference |
| Size at equal quality | ~30% smaller | Reference |
| Compatibility | Very good (except some old players) | Universal |
| DRM | Some Apple files have FairPlay DRM | Rarely |
| Metadata | Full (cover art, lyrics) | Full (ID3v2) |
How to convert M4A to MP3
Online
- Go to KaijuConverter — M4A to MP3
- Upload the M4A file
- Choose bitrate (192 or 320 kbps)
- Download the MP3
With FFmpeg
# M4A → MP3 at 192 kbps
ffmpeg -i audio.m4a -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k audio.mp3
# M4A → MP3 at 320 kbps
ffmpeg -i audio.m4a -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 320k audio.mp3
# Preserve metadata (title, artist, etc.)
ffmpeg -i audio.m4a -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k -id3v2_version 3 audio.mp3
# Batch — convert all M4A files in the folder
for f in *.m4a; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k "${f%.m4a}.mp3"; done
With iTunes / Apple Music (macOS)
- Add the M4A to Apple Music library
- Edit → Preferences → Import Settings → Encoder: MP3
- Select the files → right-click → Create MP3 Version
With VLC (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Media → Convert/Save
- Add M4A files
- Profile: Audio – MP3
- Set destination and click Start
Issue with DRM-protected M4A files
Some M4A files purchased from iTunes before 2009 have FairPlay DRM that prevents direct conversion. Symptoms:
- The converter generates an empty MP3 or one with 0 duration
- FFmpeg shows "Cannot read DRM-protected file" error
Solution: Apple removed DRM from most content. In Apple Music (formerly iTunes), you can upgrade old purchases to DRM-free versions for free: Account → Upgrade to iTunes Plus.
If the file still has DRM, the only legal option is to play it on authorized Apple devices.
Conversion without additional quality loss
Since M4A AAC is already a lossy format, converting to MP3 introduces a second generation of loss. To minimize it:
- Use the highest possible bitrate (320 kbps)
- Or convert to WAV (no additional loss, though WAV doesn't "improve" the original audio):
# M4A (AAC) → WAV (no new compression loss)
ffmpeg -i audio.m4a audio.wav
This generates a WAV identical to decoding the AAC, without adding more loss. Useful if you'll be editing the audio.
M4A with ALAC: true lossless conversion
If your M4A contains ALAC (not AAC), conversion to FLAC or WAV is truly lossless:
# Check if M4A contains ALAC or AAC
ffprobe -show_streams audio.m4a 2>&1 | grep codec_name
# M4A ALAC → FLAC (lossless)
ffmpeg -i audio_lossless.m4a audio.flac
# M4A ALAC → WAV (lossless)
ffmpeg -i audio_lossless.m4a audio.wav
ALAC files are typically larger (~50 MB per song vs ~5–10 MB for AAC).