Convert MP3 to M4A on Mac
Select the MP3 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 MP3 to M4A with FileFlip
Select the MP3 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 MP3. Type “M4A” to jump to it.
Choose M4A and press Return
The M4A files appear next to the originals with the same names. The MP3 files stay as they are.
MP3 and M4A
Some editors and Apple workflows prefer other formats, and MP3 is lossy. 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 | MP3 | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III | MPEG-4 Audio with AAC |
| Made by | Fraunhofer IIS and MPEG | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy (AAC) |
| Best for | Music and podcasts that have to play anywhere | Music, podcasts and voice recordings |
| Opens in | Everywhere | Apple devices, Android, Windows and most players |
| File extension | .mp3 | .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.
Music
In the Music app, choose Music → Settings → Files → Import Settings and set Import Using to AAC Encoder. Then select the songs and choose File → Convert → Create AAC Version.
The songs have to be in your Music library.
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 song.mp3 song.m4aBuilt into macOS and good for scripts.
Questions about MP3 and M4A
Does converting MP3 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 MP3 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 MP3 file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert M4A back to MP3?
No. FileFlip opens MP3 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