Convert MP4 to M4A on Mac
Select the MP4 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 MP4 to M4A with FileFlip
Select the MP4 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 MP4. Type “M4A” to jump to it.
Choose M4A and press Return
The M4A files appear next to the originals with the same names. The MP4 files stay as they are.
MP4 and M4A
The most widely supported video file format. Phones, browsers, TVs and social networks all play MP4. M4A with AAC gives small files that still sound good and play on Apple devices and most others.
What changes when you convert
- Only the soundtrack is kept; the picture is dropped.
| Property | MP4 | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Part 14 | MPEG-4 Audio with AAC |
| Made by | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) |
| Compression | Container; usually H.264, HEVC or AV1 video | Lossy (AAC) |
| Best for | Sharing and uploading video | Music, podcasts and voice recordings |
| Opens in | Practically everywhere: phones, browsers, TVs, Windows and video sites | Apple devices, Android, Windows and most players |
| File extension | .mp4 | .m4a |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | 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 video in QuickTime Player and choose File → Export As → Audio Only. QuickTime saves the soundtrack as an .m4a file.
Good for one video at a time.
Terminal
macOS includes avconvert, which picks the file type from the extension you give the output.
avconvert --source clip.mp4 \
--preset PresetAppleM4A --output clip.m4aBuilt into macOS. Run avconvert --help for other presets.
Questions about MP4 and M4A
What happens to the video?
The M4A file contains only the soundtrack. The MP4 stays untouched next to it.
Can I convert many MP4 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 MP4 file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert M4A back to MP4?
No, FileFlip doesn’t convert M4A to MP4.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert all your videos at once
FileFlip also handles images, camera raw files, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac