What is M4A File? How to Play and Edit?

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What is M4A File? How to Play and Edit?

15 January 2019 Jennifer Thatcher Technology Manager of Test Dept.

Last update by Emma Johnson at 9 November 2026

Summary
Many people may be not so familiar with file with extension M4A. So what is M4A file? This article will mainly introduce M4A file, including what the M4A format is, what the advantages and disadvantages of M4A are, what the difference between M4A and MP3 is, and how to open and convert file in M4A format.

Catalogue

What is M4A File Format?

What Kind of Device or Media Player can Play M4A File?

What is the Difference between M4A Format and MP3 Format?

How to Convert M4A File to MP3 File?

Approach 1: Convert by iTunes
Approach 2: Convert by Renee Video Editor Pro

What is M4A File Format?

Similar with MP3, M4A is also a kind of audio file. It is a pure audio file created in MP4 format which contains files with audio, video as well as pure audio.

In order to make a distinction between this two kinds of files, Apple uses M4A format as the extension of MP4 file only with pure audio information in iTunes and iPod. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of M4A?

Advantages:

M4A files can be compressed with nondestructive sound quality and saved as smaller files with original quality.
MP4 audio files are not protected and can be transferred easily without a license or payment.
Change the file extension M4A to M4R directly, and then set M4A audio to be iPhone ring tone.

Disadvantages:

Due to the poor compatibility, M4A cannot be played widely on all kinds devices or media players.

What Kind of Device or Media Player can Play M4A File?

M4A files can be played on iPhone, iPod and other Apple devices, such as Apple’s iTunes, Quicktime and Windows Media, etc. Of course, some other mainstream media players can also play M4A files, such as Storm.

In reality, you can also convert M4A format to other common formats like MP3 format by the third-party software. Then you can play the audio in more devices and media players.

What is the Difference between M4A Format and MP3 Format?

Compared with MP3, M4A can compress audio at the same bit rate with a smaller file size.In terms of quality, M4A files with ALAC transcoders can have the most primitive sound quality.In other words, M4A files can be compressed with nondestructive sound quality and saved as smaller files with original quality.

M4A can also provide better sound quality than MP3 at the same bit rate. For example, if you want to get the same sound quality, you need 256kbps bit rate when using MP3, while 192kbps bit rate when using M4A.However, in terms of compatibility, MP3 is more widely applied to different types of devices and players than M4A.

How to Convert M4A File to MP3 File?

Approach 1: Convert by iTunes

① Open your M4A file on iTunes.

② Click on “File” and select “Convert“.

③ Select “Create MP3 version” in the conversion option to convert it to MP3 format and save.

Approach 2: Convert by Renee Video Editor Pro

Renee Video Editor Pro – Multi-function Video Editing Software

Screen Recording – Record screen and webcam in Windows computer.
Cut Videos & Audios – Users can record screen at will. User can customize the recording time, the size of the window, the resolution and the frame rate. While recording, users can adjust the speed, add customized watermark and set special effects for mouse.
Video editing – Merge, crop, rotate, cut and transform video easily. It can change and add background music, add subtitles, make the beginning and end of the film. It also can add and remove watermarks, add a variety of filter effects and so on.
Format conversion – Support to convert videos and audios into different formats.
Customize the compression mode – encoding and preservation of video and audio.
Music Function – Add background music to videos. You can create the voice over by yourself or add local music as background music.

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Operation Steps:

① Download and install Renee Video Editor Pro. Then please launch the software and click “Video Toolbox”.

② Click “Add files” and select target M4A file.

③ Pleae select MP3 format in the “Output Format” item. Other audio formats are also available. After seleting the output format, please click “Start” to process the M4A to MP3 conversion.

④ You can also cut the audio file for desired clips. Click “Cut” and then drag the progress bar or set the start and end time in the pop up window. Besides, you can also adjust the speed of the audio.

⑤ If you want to merge multiple M4A files, please upload them and check “Merge all files into one“. Then select target output format and click “Start“.

join two audio files into one in renee audio converter

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Catalogue

What is M4A File Format?

What Kind of Device or Media Player can Play M4A File?

What is the Difference between M4A Format and MP3 Format?

How to Convert M4A File to MP3 File?

Approach 1: Convert by iTunes

Approach 2: Convert by Renee Video Editor Pro

Relate Links :

User Comments

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