How to Convert M4A to MP3 – Here are 4 Easy Methods You Should Know

Laura Goodwin Mar 31, 2022 Convert Audio

M4A is not a frequently used audio format, which can only be used for iTunes, QuickTime, Windows Media Player and other limited media players. In order to convert M4A to MP3 for more devices, you should learn more details about the differences between M4A and MP3 beforehand.

The article also shares 4 easy methods to convert M4A files to MP3 with ease. Whether you need to convert the M4A files on Windows/Mac, or transcode the M4A files via iPhone/Android phone, you can learn more about the methods from the article.

Convert audio m4a to mp3
Content

Part 1: What are Differences between M4A and MP3

What is M4A file format? The M4A file is a lossy compression MPEG4 audio with advanced audio coding. M4A and MP3 are both audio compression formats, but the two formats are different in sample rate, bitrate, stereo, quality and more others. When you need to convert M4A to MP3, you should keep the original or tweak the parameters to get the desired MP3 files.

Audio FormatSample RateBitrateStereo
M4A8-192 KHZ8-529 KBIT/S (STEREO)Yes: Dual, Mid/Side, Intensity, Parametric
MP38, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 KHZ8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320 KBIT/SYes: Dual, Mid/Side, Intensity

Part 2: 4 Easy Methods to Convert M4A Audio to MP3

In order to adjust the different parameters for MP3, you should choose the professional M4A to MP3 converters. Here are 3 frequently used methods you should know as below.

The Ultimate Method to Convert M4A to MP3

Vidmore Video Converter is a versatile and professional M4A to MP3 converter that supports more than 200 file formats and devices. You can adjust the sample rate, bitrate, video codec and even channels for the stereo. Moreover, there are basic editing features to enhance and trim the audio files.

  1. Convert M4A to MP3, FLAC, WAV and other audio formats in a high quality.
  2. Tweak the sample rate, bitrate, video code and stereo channels with ease.
  3. Basic editing features to enhance the audio or trim the M4A audio clips.
  4. Hardware acceleration to speed up conversion of NVIDIA, Intel, AMD, etc.

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Free Download

for macOS

Step 1: Download and install M4A to MP3 converter, you can launch the program on your computer and click the “Add File” menu to load the M4A files into the program. Just drag and drop the M4A files to the program with a batch process.

Load M4A file

Step 2: Click the “Profile” to select the MP3 from the “General Audio” option. Then click the “Settings” to adjust the audio codec, bitrate, sample rate and channel. It enables you to convert M4A to MP3 according to your requirement with ease.

MP3 settings

Step 3: You can click the “Edit” button to set up the start point and end point of the audio converter. Listen to the audio file and click the “OK” button to trim the video. You can also check the “Merge into one file” option to merge audio files into one.

Clip m4a audio

Step 4: Choose the destination folder within the user interface. After that, you can click the “Convert” button to convert M4A to MP3 with a good audio quality. Click the “Open Folder” option to locate the converted MP3 files on your computer.

How to Convert M4A to MP3 Online for Any Device

When you need to convert M4A to MP3 on any device, such as Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android, Free Online Audio Converter is the easy audio converter to get the desired MP3 files. Just learn more about the process as below.

Step 1: Go to the online audio converter on any web browser, you can click the “Add Files to Convert” to download the Vidmore launcher to convert M4A to MP3 online.

Vidmore free audio converter

Step 2: Click the “Add File” to choose and upload the M4A audio files on your computer. It just takes a few seconds to upload the file to the online audio converter.

Add M4A audio

Step 3: Choose the MP3 as the audio output format. In order to convert M4A to MP3 with a better quality, you can adjust the parameters for the settings to get a desired MP3 file.

MP3 Settings online

Step 4: You can click the “Convert” button to transcode the M4A audio to MP3 online. After that, you can download the converted MP3 files to your computer or smartphone accordingly.

How to Convert M4A to MP3 on Mac via iTunes

iTunes is the default M4A to MP3 converter installed on your Mac. As M4A is an iTunes compatible audio format, you can use iTunes to convert M4A to MP3 for free. Now, you can learn more about the detailed process as below.

Step 1: Launch iTunes on your Mac, click the “File” menu and open the “Add Folder to Library” to select the M4A files from the desired folder. Click the “Open” button to upload the M4A files.

Step 2: Go to “iTunes” > “Preferences”, select the “Edit” option and choose the “Import Settings” option. Select the “MP3 Encoder” from the “Import Using” drop down list in iTunes.

Step 3: Locate the M4A files in the “Library” list on the left side of the iTunes. Select the “Advanced” option and choose the “Create MP3 Version” to convert M4A files to MP3 on your computer.

iTunes create mp3 version

How to Convert M4A to MP3 on Android Phone/iPhone

When you transfer M4A ringtone from iPhone to Android phone, you might find Android phone does not work with the M4A audio format. M4A to MP3 Converter is the desired M4A to MP3 converter APK for your Android phone.

Step 1: Download and install the M4A to MP3 Converter, you can launch the app and tap the “SELECT M4A” to select the M4A files from “Gallery” or “File Browser” of your Android phone.

Step 2: Once you have uploaded the M4A files, you can tap the “CONVERT TO MP3” option to convert the listed M4A to MP3. Just listen to the audio files before conversion.

Step 3: Go to “Settings” to tweak the “Audio Bitrate”, “Audio Sampling Rate” and “Audio Channel”. Choose the “BATCH CONVERTER” to transcode the M4A files in a batch process.

M4A to MP3 converter

Conclusion

When you need to convert M4A files from iTunes to MP3 format, you can learn more about the recommended methods from the article. iTunes is the default method to convert M4A to MP3. Of course, you can also download M4A to MP3 Converter on Android or use the professional Vidmore Video Converter on computer to get the desired MP3 files. If you do not want to install extra programs, free online M4A to MP3 converter should be your first choice.

M4A & MP3

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