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M4A converter

M4A is the format your voice memos and Apple-ecosystem recordings arrive in, and the format the rest of the world keeps refusing. Converting one here means the recording, often a private conversation or meeting, is processed by WebAssembly in your own browser rather than uploaded to a stranger's server.

What is M4A?

M4A is audio in an MPEG-4 container, almost always AAC-encoded: the format Apple uses for iPhone voice memos, iTunes purchases and most recordings made in the Apple ecosystem. AAC compresses slightly better than MP3 at the same bitrate, and playback support is broad on modern devices. The friction appears at the edges: older car stereos, cheap players, some Windows software and many upload forms still only accept MP3.

Convert M4A to another format

Convert another format to M4A

Common questions about M4A

What is an M4A file?
M4A is an audio file in the MP4 container, almost always holding AAC-encoded audio (sometimes Apple Lossless). AAC is a lossy codec that is more efficient than MP3, meaning it generally sounds a little better at the same bitrate. M4A is the default for many voice recorders, music stores, and Apple devices, which is why so much purchased and recorded audio arrives in this format.
Is M4A lossy, and how does it compare to MP3?
M4A audio is usually AAC, which is lossy like MP3 but a newer and more efficient design, so at a given bitrate it often preserves a bit more detail. The main downside is compatibility: a few older players and some hardware handle MP3 more reliably than M4A. If you hit a device that will not play your M4A, converting it to MP3 is the usual fix, which hushvert does in your browser with no upload.
How do I convert an M4A so it plays on any device?
Convert it to MP3, which has the broadest playback support of any audio format. On hushvert, M4A to MP3 runs client-side via WebAssembly, so the file never leaves your browser; you can verify that in airplane mode or the Network tab. If you need an uncompressed file for editing instead, you can convert M4A to WAV the same way. Both are free, unlimited, and require no account.
What does hushvert convert M4A to and from?
hushvert converts M4A to MP3 (universal, lossy) and to WAV (uncompressed PCM for editing). It can also create M4A from an MP3 source. All of these run in the browser with nothing uploaded. Note that since the M4A source is usually already lossy AAC, converting to WAV makes the file bigger but does not add back any detail that AAC already removed.
Can I edit an M4A recording in audio software?
Many editors open M4A directly, but some expect uncompressed audio. If yours does, convert the M4A to WAV first so the editor has raw PCM to work with. hushvert does M4A to WAV in your browser with no upload. Keep in mind the source is typically lossy AAC, so the WAV will be a faithful copy of the M4A audio rather than higher quality than the original recording.