A Complete Guide to Converting M4A to MP3

Par Daniel Smith 18 février 2025 Convertir l'audio

The M4A audio file format, commonly used for iTunes and Apple Music, is popular for its high-quality sound. However, not all devices and software support M4A, so many users might prefer MP3 because of its wider compatibility. If you are one of them, then this guide is for you. In this article, we will cover a clear comparison to help you understand the differences between M4A and MP3 and introduce three reliable solutions to convert M4A to MP3 facilement.

M4A en MP3
LISTE DES GUIDES
Part 1. Comparison Between M4A and MP3
Part 2. 3 Solutions to Help You Change M4A to MP3
Part 3. FAQs about How to Turn M4A to MP3

Part 1. Comparison Between M4A and MP3

So why might you want to convert M4A to MP3? This table will show you the main differences between these two formats so you can make the right choice before converting your audio.

Caractéristiques M4A MP3
Format Audio MPEG-4 MPEG-1 Audio
Caractéristiques du format More advanced codecs, often used for Apple devices Older codecs, widely adopted
Qualité audio Generally higher quality at the same bitrate Lower quality at the same bitrate
Taille du fichier Plus petit pour la même qualité Plus grand pour la même qualité
Méthode de compression Lossy compression (with improved quality) Compression avec perte
Compatibilité Limité, principalement des appareils Apple Widely compatible with almost all devices

Part 2. 3 Solutions to Help You Change M4A to MP3

If you are going to change M4A to MP3, here are three reliable tools that can make the process easy:

Solution 1. ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate

Prix: 7-day free trial; 15.6$/month

ArkThinker Convertisseur Vidéo Ultime is a comprehensive multimedia converter. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or an expert. The simple and clean interface of ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate makes the conversion process super easy. It’s incredibly efficient and has many practical features that support various circumstances. For example, when dealing with a large volume of files, you can download this software and convert all of them in one go. Without losing the original file’s quality, you can enjoy music on almost any device.

Caractéristiques:

• Easily turn M4A files to MP3 online with straightforward steps.

• Supports many commonly used audio formats, including MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, and more.

• Compatible with multiple devices when exporting files, such as PCs, Android phones, iPads, iPhones, and Macs.

• Compresses your audio while preserving high quality.

Here is the step-by-step guidance to help you change your M4A file to MP3:

Étape 1

Download and install ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate by clicking one of the links below based on your device.

Étape 2

Launch the application, choose the M4A file from its location, and click Add Files. Select MP3 as the output format, and if necessary, change the settings.

Vcu Input M4a And Output Mp3
Étape 3

Click Convert to start the conversion.

Convert the Audio

Among ArkThinker tests, Video Converter Ultimate is one of the best M4A to MP3 converters. It’s incredibly user-friendly and efficient. What we love the most about it is its fast conversion speed and the ability to convert files in batches. I often need to convert multiple M4A files to MP3 format to transfer songs to other devices, and this software makes it so convenient.

Solution 2. iTunes

Developed by Apple Inc., iTunes serves as a multimedia player that allows users to buy, play, and organize digital music and video files. Fortunately, in addition to managing and playing music, iTunes also functions as a reliable audio converter. It allows users to transform files between many audio formats.

To turn M4A files to MP3 format on iTunes, you can try out the following steps:

Étape 1

ake sure that you’ve installed the latest version of iTunes on your device.

Étape 2

Open iTunes. Click Edit > Preferences > General > Import Settings. Then, select MP3 Encoder in the Import Using option. Click OK to save the change.

iTunes Choose to Encoder
Étape 3

Press File > Convert > Convert to MP3.

iTunes Convert to Mp3
Étape 4

Click the File option in the menu bar. Choose either Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library, then navigate to where your M4A files are located and select them.

Avantages :
  • Gratuit et facile d'utilisation.
  • Integrated with the Apple ecosystem.
  • Conversion par lots.
Les inconvénients :
  • Limited format support.
  • Lack of advanced audio editing features.
  • Disponible uniquement sur Windows et Mac.
  • There is not as much customization for output quality as in other converters.

Although iTunes is free and easy to use, the procedures are a bit complex, so sometimes people might accidentally export the M4A file again.

Solution 3. Online Zamzar

Zamzar is a web-based file converter and compressor that allows users to convert files between different formats without installing any software. It’s a flexible tool for various conversion requirements because it supports a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, music, and video files. You can access the official webpage online.

To use Zamzar as an audio converter, you can follow these steps:

Étape 1

Visit Zamzar’s website and click Add Files to upload your M4A files. Choose MP3 as the output format.

Zamzar Convert M4a to Mp3
Étape 2

Click Convert Now

Zamzar Convert Now
Avantages :
  • Web-based, no software installation is needed.
  • Easy to use and supports numerous file formats.
  • Utilisation gratuite.
Les inconvénients :
  • A daily file size limit for free users.
  • Lack of advanced audio editing features.

Compared with iTunes, Zamzar is more convenient to use, but it’s limited to two conversions per hour for files up to 100MB. Therefore, it doesn’t work when you need to convert a bigger audio file or multiple files at the same time.

Notice: you can also check here to see how to turn FLAC en MP3.

Part 3. FAQs about How to Turn M4A to MP3

Will converting M4A to MP3 reduce audio quality?

Yes, MP3 is a lossy format so some audio quality may be lost during the conversion. However, if you choose a high bitrate, you can minimize the loss.

Why can’t I open M4A files on my device?

M4A is primarily used by Apple and may not be compatible with all devices. Converting to WAV or MP3 can make the file compatible with most devices and software.

Should I convert M4A to MP3?

Converting to MP3 might be good if you prioritize compatibility and convenience. However, if the audio quality is your priority, and you use Apple devices, M4A could be a better choice.

Can I change M4A files to MP3 on my iPhone?

Yes, it’s super easy. Just navigate to the Music List, select the files you want to convert, choose Create the New Version, and then Create MP3 Version from the File menu.

Conclusion

Changing M4A to MP3 isn’t that difficult with the right tools. We have covered three useful methods, including a desktop solution like ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate, a familiar platform like iTunes, and an online tool like Zamzar. Each option has its benefits. With these methods, you can convert from M4A to MP3 effortlessly and better enjoy your audio files across different devices.
Have you tried any of these tools before? Or do you have a go-to method for audio conversions? We’d like to hear from you!

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Notation: 4.8 / 5 (basé sur 399 voix)

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