What is an M4A file?
M4A is an MPEG-4 container holding audio only, usually AAC. It's the format of iPhone voice memos and iTunes purchases. AAC sounds a little better than MP3 at the same bitrate, but MP3 is still more widely accepted.
| Full name | MPEG-4 Audio (usually AAC) |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .m4a, .aac |
| MIME type | audio/mp4 |
| Introduced | 2001 |
| Compression | Lossy (AAC) or lossless (ALAC) |
| Typical file size | Slightly smaller than MP3 at the same quality |
| Best for | iPhone voice memos, iTunes music and podcasts |
| Compatibility | Apple devices, Android and modern browsers; some car stereos, older players and editors can't open it |
How to open an M4A file
Windows
Plays in Media Player on Windows 10/11; older Windows Media Player needs codecs.
Mac
Plays in Music and QuickTime.
iPhone and iPad
Native format: plays in Music, Files and Voice Memos.
Android
Plays in most music apps and Chrome.
If none of these work, convert the file to a more widely supported format with one of the tools below.
Convert M4A files
Other tools for M4A files
M4A metadata and privacy
M4A files store iTunes-style tags (title, artist, cover art) and iPhone voice memos can include the recording date.
Frequently asked questions
What is an M4A file?
M4A is an MPEG-4 container holding audio only, usually AAC. It's the format of iPhone voice memos and iTunes purchases.
How do I open an M4A file on Windows?
Plays in Media Player on Windows 10/11; older Windows Media Player needs codecs.
How do I open an M4A file on a Mac?
Plays in Music and QuickTime.
Is M4A lossy or lossless?
M4A uses lossy compression, so some detail is discarded each time the file is saved.
How do I convert M4A to another format?
Use one of the free converters on this page, for example M4A to MP3, M4A to WAV. Files are converted in your browser without being uploaded.