1
Choose Your Audio File
Choose the M4A file. On iPhone, share a voice memo to Files first, then pick it here.
M4A to MP3 Converter
Convert M4A audio, such as iPhone voice memos and iTunes songs, to MP3. The file is converted in your browser and never uploaded.
Files stay on your device
Drop your M4A here, or choose a file
Converts M4A audio, such as voice memos and iTunes songs, to MP3 at 128 to 320 kbps. It stays on your device.
Choose a fileYour browser converts the file. Nothing is sent to a server.
- No signup, no watermark
- No upload size limit
- About 2 sec for a 47 sec clip
- Works offline once loaded
How to Convert M4A to MP3
2
Pick Quality and Trim
Pick an MP3 bitrate. Voice memos sound fine at 128 kbps; songs suit 192 or 256 kbps.
3
Convert and Download
Press Convert to MP3, preview it, and download the MP3.
What Is an M4A File?
M4A is an MPEG-4 file that holds only audio. The audio is usually AAC, the same codec Apple uses for iTunes songs, and sometimes Apple Lossless (ALAC).
The iPhone Voice Memos app saves recordings as M4A, and songs bought from iTunes are M4A too. Apple Lossless files convert in Safari only, and files with an .m4p ending are copy-protected and cannot be converted.
| M4A | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Codec | AAC (lossy) or ALAC (lossless) | MP3 (lossy) |
| Quality at the same bitrate | Slightly better than MP3 | Slightly lower than AAC |
| Common source | iPhone Voice Memos, iTunes, Mac recordings | Music downloads, podcasts |
| Plays on | Apple devices, most new phones | Every device, including old car stereos and players |
Why Convert M4A to MP3
Upload Forms Want MP3
Many websites, school portals and older apps only accept MP3 files.
Older Players and Cars
Some car stereos and MP3 players do not read M4A. MP3 always works.
Share With Android and Windows
Send a voice memo to someone on Android or Windows as an MP3 that opens without extra apps.
Converting iPhone Voice Memos
In the Voice Memos app, tap a recording, tap the three dots, choose Save to Files, and save it. Then open this page in Safari, tap choose a file and pick it.
Voice is clear at 128 kbps. Converting at 320 kbps only makes the file bigger, because the memo was recorded at a lower bitrate.
M4A to MP3: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert an iPhone voice memo to MP3?
Save the memo to Files from the Voice Memos app, open this page in Safari, choose the file and convert it. The MP3 saves to Downloads in Files.
Why will my M4P file not convert?
M4P files are copy-protected purchases. Browsers cannot decode protected audio, so they cannot be converted here.
Is my M4A file uploaded to a server?
No. Your browser reads the M4A file and writes the MP3 on your own device. Nothing is sent to MP4toMP3.io or anyone else, and the page keeps working with Wi-Fi off once it has loaded.
Does M4A to MP3 lose quality?
A little, because both are lossy and the audio is encoded again. At 192 kbps or higher most people cannot hear the difference.
Can I convert Apple Lossless M4A files?
In Safari, yes. Chrome, Edge and Firefox cannot decode Apple Lossless (ALAC), so open this page in Safari on a Mac or iPhone for those files.
Ready to Convert M4A to MP3?
Choose a file at the top. It is free, private and done in your browser in a few seconds.
Convert now