Convert CAF to M4A on Mac
Select the CAF 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 CAF to M4A with FileFlip
Select the CAF 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 CAF. Type “M4A” to jump to it.
Choose M4A and press Return
The M4A files appear next to the originals with the same names. The CAF files stay as they are.
CAF and M4A
Few apps outside the Mac can open CAF files. M4A with AAC gives small files that still sound good and play on Apple devices and most others.
What changes when you convert
- M4A is lossy: the file gets much smaller and some fine detail is discarded. At high quality settings the difference is hard to notice.
| Property | CAF | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Core Audio Format | MPEG-4 Audio with AAC |
| Made by | Apple | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) |
| Compression | Any codec; often uncompressed | Lossy (AAC) |
| Best for | Audio for Apple developer tools and very long recordings | Music, podcasts and voice recordings |
| Opens in | macOS and Apple’s audio and developer tools; rarely elsewhere | Apple devices, Android, Windows and most players |
| File extension | .caf | .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 sound.caf sound.m4aBuilt into macOS and good for scripts.
Questions about CAF and M4A
Does converting CAF to M4A lose quality?
M4A is lossy: the file gets much smaller and some fine detail is discarded. At high quality settings the difference is hard to notice.
Can I convert many CAF 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 CAF file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert M4A back to CAF?
No. FileFlip opens CAF 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