Audio conversion
Convert MP3 to M4A
Updated Jul 2026
MP3 is the universal audio format that plays almost anywhere, and M4A is the format Apple's own apps, like iTunes and Voice Memos, prefer. To convert MP3 to M4A, open the file in a converter and export it as M4A. Doing this on your own computer keeps the audio, whether it's music or a private recording, off other people's servers.
- Extension
- .mp3
- Type
- Audio
- Typically
- The universal audio format
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .m4a
- Type
- Audio
- Typically
- iTunes / voice memos
- Compression
- Lossy
Convert MP3 to M4A on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert MP3 to M4A
- Open Morphjet and drag in the MP3 file, or a whole folder of them, you want to convert.
- Choose M4A as the output format, and pick a bitrate if you want to control file size.
- Convert. The M4A files are written next to your originals, and nothing leaves your machine.
MP3 vs M4A: what actually changes
| MP3 | M4A | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Baseline | Similar or slightly smaller at the same bitrate |
| Sound quality at same bitrate | Good | Slightly more efficient encoding, but converting from MP3 won't recover quality already lost |
| Compatibility | Plays on almost any device or app | Plays well in Apple apps and most modern players, less universal than MP3 |
| Metadata (tags) | Yes, ID3 tags | Yes, similar tagging support |
| Editing in Apple apps | Supported, but not the default format | Native format for iTunes, GarageBand, and Voice Memos |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert MP3 to M4A when you want a file that fits naturally into iTunes, Voice Memos, or GarageBand, or when an app or device specifically asks for M4A.
Keep the MP3 if it already plays fine everywhere you need it, since both formats are lossy and re-encoding from MP3 to M4A can't undo any quality already lost, it just repackages it.
Why not just use an online converter?
Audio files aren't always music. Voice memos, meeting recordings, and personal notes get converted too, and an online converter means that audio sits on a stranger's server, even briefly. Converting on your own computer means the recording never leaves your machine, no matter what's actually in it.
Questions
Does converting MP3 to M4A lose quality?
MP3 is already lossy, so the quality lost during the original MP3 encoding is permanent. Re-encoding to M4A adds a small additional generation loss, since you're compressing an already-compressed file, though for casual listening it's usually hard to notice.
Will M4A play on non-Apple devices?
Yes, most modern phones, computers, and media players handle M4A fine. It's just less universally supported than MP3, so if you need guaranteed playback on an older or unknown device, MP3 is the safer bet.
Does the M4A keep the song's title, artist, and album info?
Yes. Morphjet carries over the tags from the MP3, so titles, artists, and album names show up correctly in the converted file.
Why would I convert to M4A instead of just keeping MP3?
Mainly for compatibility with Apple's own apps and workflows, like importing into GarageBand or organizing Voice Memos, where M4A is the expected format.
Can I convert MP3 to M4A without uploading the file anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file on your own computer, so it never travels over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts MP3, M4A, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.