About the M4A to MP3
M4A to MP3 converts M4A and AAC audio files into MP3. M4A is the format used by iPhone voice memos, iTunes and Apple Music purchases and many recorders, and some players and websites still ask for MP3. Select your file, choose a quality from 96 to 320 kbps and press Convert. The page plays the result and offers it for download. It runs entirely in your browser, so your voice memos and music never leave your device.
Updated October 2026
How to use the M4A to MP3
- 1Select your M4A or AAC file.
- 2Choose a quality: 128 kbps for voice memos, 192 kbps for music.
- 3Choose stereo or mono.
- 4Press Convert to MP3.
- 5Play the MP3, then download it.
M4A and MP3 compared
Both formats compress sound by removing details that are hard to hear. AAC, the sound inside M4A, is more efficient, so an M4A at 128 kbps often sounds like an MP3 at 160 kbps or more. MP3 wins on compatibility, since almost every device and program supports it.
Voice memos and recordings
Voice recordings need little data. A 128 kbps mono MP3 is clear and small enough to email. If you record meetings or lectures, convert them to mono 96 or 128 kbps and use the Audio Silence Remover to drop long pauses.
- Voice memos: 96 to 128 kbps, mono
- Music: 192 kbps or more
- Share by email: keep under 10 MB
Check the result
Play the preview before downloading. If the sound is quiet, raise the volume before you convert. If the file is longer than you need, cut it with the Audio Trimmer.
Other conversions
Use the MP3 Converter for any other audio or video type, WAV to MP3 for uncompressed recordings, or the Audio Compressor to keep the M4A format but make it smaller.
Privacy
A voice memo can hold private conversations. Because this tool converts on your device, nothing is uploaded. Delete the files you no longer need from your phone and your downloads folder.
Features
- Reads M4A and AAC audio
- Works with iPhone voice memos
- Quality from 96 to 320 kbps
- Estimated size before converting
- Stereo or mono
- Private: no upload
Frequently asked questions
What is an M4A file?
An audio file in the MP4 container, usually with AAC sound. Apple uses it for voice memos, GarageBand exports and iTunes and Music downloads. It sounds as good as MP3 at a smaller size.
How do I convert an iPhone voice memo to MP3?
Share the voice memo to Files or email it to yourself to get the M4A file, select it here and convert. On some phones, Save to Files lets you pick the file straight from the page.
Will the quality drop?
Both M4A and MP3 are lossy, so converting from one to the other loses a little more detail. Use 192 kbps or more for music to keep the loss small.
Can it convert protected iTunes files?
No. Files protected by digital rights management cannot be decoded. Files that you bought without protection, or recorded yourself, work fine.
Why would I need MP3 instead of M4A?
Older players, some car stereos, certain editing programs and many upload forms only accept MP3. MP3 is the format that works almost everywhere.
Does it keep the title and artist tags?
No. The MP3 has only the sound. Add the tags again in a tag editor.
How long does it take?
Usually a few seconds for a voice memo and under a minute for a song, depending on the device.
Will it work on an iPhone or iPad?
Recent versions of Safari and Chrome on iPhone and iPad can usually decode M4A and run the converter. If your device cannot, because its browser is too old, convert on a computer instead.
Is my audio uploaded?
No. The conversion runs on your device, so voice memos and music stay private.