Video conversion
Convert M4V to FLAC
Updated Jul 2026
M4V is a video file Apple uses for iTunes downloads, and FLAC is an audio-only format that keeps every bit of the original sound. Converting means pulling the audio track out of the M4V and saving it as FLAC. You can do this entirely on your own computer, so the video never has to be uploaded to convert it.
- Extension
- .m4v
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- iTunes / Apple video
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .flac
- Type
- Audio
- Typically
- Lossless music
Convert M4V to FLAC on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert M4V to FLAC
- Open Morphjet and drag in the M4V video, or a whole folder of them.
- Choose FLAC as the output. Morphjet pulls out the audio track and leaves the picture behind.
- Convert. The FLAC file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
M4V vs FLAC: what actually changes
| M4V | FLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains video | Yes | No, audio only |
| File size | Moderate, mostly taken up by the video | Larger than compressed audio, since FLAC is lossless |
| Audio quality | Lossy, usually a compressed codec like AAC | Lossless, but only as good as the audio already in the M4V |
| Plays on | Apple apps and devices built for iTunes video | Any music app or device that supports FLAC |
| Song info (title, artist, album) | Not typically stored | Supported, but usually needs to be added by hand |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert M4V to FLAC when you only want the sound from a video, such as a concert recording, a lecture, or a music video, and you want to keep it in a full-quality audio format for a music library.
Keep the M4V if you still want the picture, since converting to FLAC throws away the video entirely and there's no getting it back.
Why not just use an online converter?
M4V files are often personal recordings, home videos, or downloads you'd rather not hand to an unfamiliar website just to pull out the audio. An online converter needs a full copy of the video sitting on its server before it can give you back the sound. Doing the extraction on your own computer means the video stays exactly where it started, on your machine.
Questions
Does converting M4V to FLAC improve the audio quality?
No. FLAC is lossless, but it can only preserve the audio that's already in the M4V, which is typically compressed with a lossy codec like AAC. Converting doesn't add back detail that was lost when the M4V was made.
Will I lose the video when I convert to FLAC?
Yes, on purpose. FLAC is audio only, so converting extracts the sound and drops the picture. Keep the original M4V if you want the video too.
Can I convert an M4V bought from the iTunes Store?
Only if it isn't copy-protected. Some purchased M4V files carry DRM that locks them to Apple's own apps, and no converter, local or online, can get around that encryption.
Does the FLAC keep the song title and artist info?
Usually not. M4V files store video info rather than music tags, so you'll likely need to add the title, artist, and album to the FLAC yourself after converting.
Can this be done without uploading the video anywhere?
Yes. Morphjet extracts and converts the audio right on your computer, so the M4V never has to leave your machine or pass through anyone else's server.
Morphjet converts M4V, FLAC, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.