Method 1: Convert M4A to MP3 online (fastest)
- Open the converterUse the converter at the top of this page in any browser — nothing to install.
- Add M4A filesDrag your .m4a files into the drop zone or tap “choose files”.
- Choose quality and convertSelect 128, 192 or 320 kbps and press “Convert to MP3”.
- Download the MP3sSave each file or download all of them as a ZIP archive.
Method 2: Apple Music app on Mac (or iTunes on Windows)
Apple’s own software can create MP3 copies of songs already in your library:
- On a Mac open Music and go to Music › Settings › Files › Import Settings. In iTunes for Windows use Edit › Preferences › General › Import Settings.
- Set Import Using to MP3 Encoder and choose a quality such as Higher Quality (192 kbps) or Custom › 320 kbps. Click OK.
- Select the M4A songs in your library, then choose File › Convert › Create MP3 Version.
- The MP3 copies appear next to the originals. Right-click one and choose Show in Finder (or Show in Windows Explorer) to find the files.
Remember to switch the import setting back to AAC afterwards if you rip CDs, otherwise future imports will be MP3 too. This method cannot convert DRM-protected purchases.
Method 3: VLC media player (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Install VLC from videolan.org and open it.
- Choose Media › Convert / Save (on a Mac: File › Convert / Stream).
- Add your M4A file and click Convert / Save.
- Under Profile select Audio – MP3. Use the wrench icon to set the bitrate on the Audio codec tab.
- Pick a destination file name ending in
.mp3and press Start.
VLC is reliable but handles one file per dialog by default, so it is slower for batches than our batch M4A to MP3 converter.
Method 4: Audacity (free audio editor)
Audacity is useful when you also want to trim, normalise or clean up the audio. Open the M4A with File › Open (recent versions include the FFmpeg import library; older ones need it installed separately), make any edits, then choose File › Export Audio, select MP3 Files, pick a bitrate mode and quality, and save. For straight conversions without editing, a dedicated converter is quicker.
Method 5: ffmpeg on the command line
Developers and power users can convert with a single command once ffmpeg is installed:
ffmpeg -i input.m4a -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k output.mp3Swap 192k for 320k for maximum quality, or use -q:a 2 for high-quality variable bitrate. To convert every M4A in a folder on macOS or Linux:
for f in *.m4a; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k "${f%.m4a}.mp3"; doneFun fact: the fallback engine on this website is this same ffmpeg, compiled to WebAssembly so it can run in your browser.
Converting on iPhone and Android
Neither iOS nor Android has a built-in “convert to MP3” option. On an iPhone, save the recording to the Files app (in Voice Memos tap … › Share › Save to Files), then open this page in Safari and choose the file. On Android, open the page in Chrome and pick the file from storage. The MP3 is saved to your Downloads folder, ready to share or move to a music app. No app install and no upload are required.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Batch? | Install? |
|---|---|---|---|
| This online converter | Anyone, any device | Yes + ZIP | No |
| Apple Music / iTunes | Songs already in your library | Yes | Usually pre-installed on Mac |
| VLC | Occasional single files | Limited | Yes |
| Audacity | Editing before export | Via macros | Yes |
| ffmpeg | Automation and scripts | Yes | Yes |
Still deciding whether you need MP3 at all? Read M4A vs MP3 for a plain-English comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to convert M4A to MP3?
Use the free converter at the top of this page: drop the file in, press Convert and download the MP3. It works in any browser and nothing is uploaded.
Can Windows Media Player convert M4A to MP3?
Windows Media Player can rip CDs to MP3 but cannot convert existing M4A files. Use this online converter, VLC or iTunes for Windows instead.
How do I convert M4A to MP3 without losing quality?
Pick an MP3 bitrate at least as high as the source — 320 kbps for 256 kbps iTunes tracks or lossless files. A tiny amount of change is unavoidable between lossy formats but will not be audible at these settings.
How do I convert a voice memo to MP3?
Save the memo to the Files app, open this page in Safari, choose the file and convert at 128 kbps — ideal for speech and small enough to email.
Is it legal to convert M4A to MP3?
Converting audio you own or have the rights to — your recordings, CDs you ripped, DRM-free purchases — for personal use is generally fine. Circumventing DRM or distributing copyrighted music is not. Check the rules where you live.