macOS Ventura will not quick look .m4a audio files

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Level 1

40 points

macOS Ventura will not quick look .m4a audio files

In the Finder, if I preview an .m4a (Audio - MPEG AAC) file, Quick Look will not show the contents of that audio file - it won't playback audio, it won't show the title artwork or chapter artwork. It will never preview - spinning gear "loading" and never resolves to preview the file.

If I change the file's extension (and therefore reduce the access of metadata of the podcast file) to an .mp4 - Quick Look works as expected.

Does Ventura no longer support .m4a audio files? I can't see anything in macOS documentation that it shouldn't.

I have tried a clean install (what an effort that was) - yikes!

I have tried using Terminal to call a reset to the QL Cache "qlmanage - r cache"

I reboot.

I restart.

I boot into Safe Mode.

No changes...

Anyone capable of offering advice or help? Would appreciate it.

Posted on Apr 28, 2023 6:26 AM

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Answer 1

oz-macnut Author

Level 1

40 points

Apr 28, 2023 6:49 AM in response to dialabrain

Hi dialabrian - yes those sample files you suggest do quicklook, but they are not quite the same files as I have - mine include Apple podcasts metadata (cover artwork, chapter markers, JPEG chapter art). Just seeing and testing if there is a difference in metadata from your files and mine that is causing issue. I've never had issue in Catalina, so questioning if something is missing in quicklook db within Ventura.

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