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How to Convert M4A to MP3 [3 Different Ways]
You can use VLC media player to get the job done
5 min. read
Updated onJuly 26, 2024
updated onJuly 26, 2024
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Key notes
If you have both Apple and Windows devices and constantly juggle between different audio formats, such as M4A and MP3 (Audio Layer III), while listening to music, this guide can help!
We will explore three simple methods with step-by-step instructions to convert your audio tracks into the desired format.
What is the M4A file format?
M4A (MPEG-4 format) is an audio file format by Apple and popularly used on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
These audio files are similar toMP3 filesbut come with a digital audio stream encoded with advanced audio coding (AAC) for compression, meaning better sound quality at the high bitrate and smaller file sizes.
Also, they are compatible with several devices & media players, making them an excellent choice for streaming, music distribution, and storage.
Can I use any Windows tools to Convert M4A to MP3?
You can convert M4A to MP3 using Windows Media Player on Windows 7 and 8. For Windows 10 and 11, you must enable Windows Media Player Legacy optional feature using the Settings app.
Be informed this Windows inbuilt player doesn’t have direct audio conversion capabilities, and you need to burn M4A to CD, then rip the CD to MP3 format, which can be overwhelming.
If you don’t want to use this indirect method, you can use a VLC media player, iTunes, or other popular online platforms like FreeConvert or VEED.IO to get the job done.
How can I convert M4A to MP3?
1. Use Windows Media Player Legacy
If you encounteredWindows Media Player can’t play this fileerror, we advise you to check out this guide for solutions.
2. Use iTunes
Once done, new song files with the desired audio format will appear in your iTunes library.
3. Use the VLC media player
Once converted, you will be notified; you can play the file to check the quality of the file.
You can also use online M4A converters such asVeed.ioorFreeConvertto get this done; all you need to do is drag the audio file, select the format, and click Convert.
Does the audio lose quality when converting?
Losing quality whileconverting an audio filedepends upon the method you choose. There are three different ways, including Encoding, decoding, and transcoding.
For this particular scenario, you can either opt for Transcoding or Encoding. Transcoding is generally not preferred because the conversion includes double compression and data loss.
Encoding is a conversion process to convert lossless format to lossy format, such as M4A to MP3. This one is useful if you want to reduce the original file size and increase the compatibility of audio files, compromising the quality and data in the process.
Is M4A better than MP3?
M4A is a lossless format and is better than MP3 as it has better audio quality due to its high bitrate. This also means that they have a relatively large file size.
However, it is difficult to stream as it is restricted to some devices and platforms wherein MP3 (Audio Layer III) can be easily played on almost all popular devices and media players.
So, these are the methods you can use to convert M4A files to MP3 on your Windows computer without breaking a sweat.
If you are looking for options toconvert MP4 to MP3, we recommend you check out this guide to find free and paid solutions.
If you want to learn more about MP3 files, don’t miss our guide on how totrim MP3 files on Windows 10.
Please feel free to give us any information, tips, and your experience with the subject in the comments section below.
More about the topics:windows 10,Windows 11
Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
Srishti Sisodia is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. She has extensive experience exploring the latest technological advancements and sharing her insights through informative blogs.
Her diverse interests bring a unique perspective to her work, and she approaches everything with commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. That’s why she’s part of Windows Report’s Reviewers team, always willing to share the real-life experience with any software or hardware product. She’s also specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
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Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
She is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. Srishti is specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
