How to Convert M4A to MP3 on Mac: Best Tools to Get the Job Done

Have you ever saved audio on a Mac and realized later it’s in M4A — a format not everyone can open? It’s frustrating, especially since M4A sounds great but isn’t as universally accepted as MP3. If you’ve been there, you’re not alone.

Luckily, converting those files on a Mac is easier than you might think. With just a few steps, you can convert M4A to MP3 on Mac and play them on pretty much anything. Let’s get into it. 

What’s the Difference Between M4A and MP3?

M4A and MP3 are both audio formats, but they have some key differences. MP3 is super popular because it strikes a good balance between sound quality and file size. It works on almost every device and app, which makes it the go-to for many people who just want to listen to music anywhere.

Read also: How to Download Music to MP3 Player From YouTube

M4A is mostly used by Apple for music files, like those from iTunes or the Apple Music app. It uses AAC compression, which actually gives you better sound quality at a smaller file size compared to MP3. The catch is, M4A isn’t as widely supported outside of Apple products, so it might not work as smoothly on non-Apple devices.

So, both formats are compressed, but MP3 is more universal and reliable if you’re not sure what device or platform you’ll be using. That’s why it’s a good idea to convert M4A to MP3 just in case the lesser-supported format causes problems down the line. MP3 will work on almost any device.

How to Convert M4A to MP3: Native Tools

The easiest way, of course, is to use native tools like Apple Music or GarageBand. These apps come pre-installed on most Macs and are perfect for converting M4A files to MP3. Both options are straightforward to use.

Using Apple Music:

1. Open Apple Music and navigate to Music > Settings in the menu bar.
2. Click the Files tab, then hit Import Settings.
3. In the pop-up menu, choose MP3 Encoder and confirm by clicking OK.
4. If your M4A file isn’t already in your library, drag it over from Finder to Apple Music.
5. Locate the file in Apple Music. Check Recently Added if you’re struggling to find it.

6. Select the file, then click File > Convert > Create MP3 Version. The MP3 version will appear right next to the original.
7. To locate your newly converted file, highlight it and choose File > Show in Finder.

Using GarageBand:

1. Open GarageBand, click File > New, and select Empty Project.
2. In the Create New Track window, pick Mic or Line as the track type.
3. Drag your M4A file into the Tracks area.
4. Turn off the metronome by clicking the Metronome button.
5. Highlight the file, then go to Share > Export Song to Disk.
6. In the export settings:
   1. Choose MP3 as the format.
   2. Select your preferred audio quality.
   3. Confirm export settings and select a name and location for the file.
   4. Click Export.
7. To add the MP3 to Apple Music, simply drag it in from Finder.

Does Converting M4A to MP3 Affect Quality?

Yes, when you turn M4A files into MP3s, it can cause some quality loss. As we’ve said before, M4A files, especially those encoded with AAC, sound better at lower bit rates compared to MP3. So when you switch to MP3, especially at a lower bitrate, you might notice the sound isn’t as crisp or clear.

It’s a general rule that when you’re converting between lossy formats like M4A and MP3, some quality is always going to be lost. But if you choose a high bitrate for the MP3 (like 320 kbps), the difference is harder to notice unless you’re using great headphones or audio equipment.

Read also: Here's How to Turn Your CD Music Collection to MP3 in No Time

Steps to Convert M4A to MP3 With Online Converters

You can use an online M4A to MP3 converter on a Mac or any other device. They’re perfect when you want a straightforward solution right from your browser. Here’s one example:

1. Go to Online Audio Converter.
2. Click on the Open Files button, then pick the M4A file you want to convert from your computer.
3. Once your file uploads, choose MP3 from the list of formats.
4. You can tweak things like bitrate or sample rate if you want, but the default settings usually work just fine.
5. When you’re ready, hit the Convert button. It only takes a few seconds for the file to convert, depending on its size.
6. Once the conversion is complete, click Download to save the new MP3 file to your computer.

Another quick online method is Google Drive. Simply upload your M4A file to your Google Drive account, then right-click it and choose Open with to select an online converter like CloudConvert. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to sign up, but it’s quick. After that, just choose MP3 as the output format and let the converter work its magic. 

Is M4A Louder Than MP3?

Not necessarily. M4A and MP3 are both audio formats that can be encoded at different bitrates, which directly impacts the loudness and overall quality of the sound. M4A’s better sound quality at lower bitrates doesn’t automatically make it louder.

Loudness is more about the volume levels set during encoding or the playback device’s settings. Both formats can be as loud as you want, depending on how they are encoded. Another big factor is how the file was mastered. That is because mastering process affects everything that goes into sound quality, including its clarity, balance, and loudness.

In general, if you’re comparing similar bitrates (e.g., both at 256 kbps), you won’t hear a huge difference in loudness between the two formats. For the extra nerdy crowd, M4A might deliver a bit more clarity or warmth.

How to Turn M4A Into MP3 With Audacity

Audacity is a bit more technical and complicated, but hey, if you're an avid user, why not?

Step 1: Get the Tools You Need (LAME and FFMPEG)

To get Audacity working with M4A files, you'll need two things: LAME and FFMPEG. Audacity doesn’t support M4A files by default, so these tools will help you out.

1. First, download LAME from here. Just grab the .exe file and run it.
2. Then, grab FFMPEG from here as well. Once downloaded, unzip it to a spot you can easily find (the desktop is usually a good choice).

Once that’s done, you need to point Audacity to where FFMPEG is saved:

1. Open Audacity and go to Edit > Preferences > Libraries.
2. Next to FFMPEG, click Locate, then navigate to where you saved the FFMPEG files and choose avformat-55.dll.

Step 2: Open the M4A File in Audacity

With everything set up, now it’s time to open the file:

1. In Audacity, go to File > Open, and select the M4A file you want to convert.
2. If it doesn’t open, close Audacity and try again. If that still doesn’t work, check that LAME and FFMPEG were set up correctly.

Step 3: Export as MP3

Go to File > Export > Export as MP3.

Step 4: Adjust the MP3 Settings

Before you save the file, let’s tweak a few settings:

1. Choose your file name, pick the bitrate you want, and decide if you want stereo or mono.
2. Hit Save, and that’s it — you’ve successfully converted your M4A to MP3.

Can I Just Rename the File Extension to MP3?

No, simply renaming the file extension from .m4a to .mp3 won’t convert the file, and it won't make the file usable in the new format. The audio data itself remains the same, and it will still be in M4A format, even though the extension suggests otherwise.

When you change the extension, you’re essentially tricking your computer into thinking the file is in a different format, but it doesn’t alter the actual content of the file. The name might show .mp3, but the file will still need to be processed or re-encoded to truly be recognized and played correctly as an MP3.

Can I Convert M4A to MP3 on Devices Other Than Mac?

Yes, absolutely. There are plenty of options to do it:

• Online converters — Websites like Online Audio Converter, CloudConvert, or Zamzar let you convert M4A to MP3 right from your browser. These tools work on any device (Windows, Linux, or even your phone). Just upload your M4A file, choose MP3 as the output format, and download the new file.
• Windows software — If you’re using a Windows PC, you can use programs like Audacity or Freemake Audio Converter. There’s a bit of downloading and setup involved, but it’s not too hard or technical. 
• Mobile apps — If you prefer using your phone, there are apps like Media Converter for Android or The Audio Converter for iOS that allow you to convert M4A files to MP3 without needing a computer.

Hopefully, that clears things up for you!