Convert AAC to M4A on Mac
Select the AAC files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose M4A and press Return. FileFlip saves each M4A next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert AAC to M4A with FileFlip
Select the AAC files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from AAC. Type “M4A” to jump to it.
Choose M4A and press Return
The M4A files appear next to the originals with the same names. The AAC files stay as they are.
AAC and M4A
Bare .aac files have almost no room for tags, and some apps handle them poorly. M4A with AAC gives small files that still sound good and play on Apple devices and most others.
What changes when you convert
- Both formats are lossy, so converting compresses the sound again and loses a little more detail. Start from the best original you have.
| Property | AAC | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Advanced Audio Coding (ADTS stream) | MPEG-4 Audio with AAC |
| Made by | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy (AAC) |
| Best for | Raw output from recorders and streaming tools | Music, podcasts and voice recordings |
| Opens in | Most players | Apple devices, Android, Windows and most players |
| File extension | .aac | .m4a |
| In FileFlip | Opens | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
QuickTime Player
Open the file in QuickTime Player and choose File → Export As → Audio Only. QuickTime saves an .m4a file.
Good for one file at a time.
Terminal
afconvert is Apple’s command-line audio converter.
afconvert -f m4af -d aac recording.aac recording.m4aBuilt into macOS and good for scripts.
Questions about AAC and M4A
Does converting AAC to M4A lose quality?
Both formats are lossy, so converting compresses the sound again and loses a little more detail. Start from the best original you have.
Can I convert many AAC files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose M4A. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where does M4A play?
Apple devices, Android, Windows and most players.
Where is the M4A file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .m4a extension. The AAC file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert M4A back to AAC?
No. FileFlip opens AAC files but doesn’t save them.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole album at once
FileFlip also handles images, camera raw files, video, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac