How do I to Convert M4A to MP3 on Mac?

I usually use Ffmpeg!

https://www.uubyte.com/blog/convert-m4a-audio-to-mp3-free/

Simply renaming the file to .mp3 worked for me. (apple silicon, Sonoma 14.3)

One option you can try is using the free audio conversion tool, iTunes, that comes pre-installed on your Mac. Here's how to convert M4A to MP3 on Mac:

• Open iTunes on your Mac.
• Click on "iTunes" from the menu bar and then select "Preferences."
• Select the "Import Settings" button from the "General" tab.
• Choose "MP3 Encoder" from the "Import Using" drop-down menu.
• Click "OK" to save your settings.
• Select the M4A file(s) that you want to convert in iTunes.
• Click on "File" and then click on "Convert" from the menu bar.
• Select "Create MP3 Version" from the options displayed.
• Wait for iTunes to finish converting your M4A file(s) to MP3 format.
• Once the conversion process is complete, you can find your newly converted MP3 files in iTunes' Music library.

The output format options are grayed out when I am following the official guide. I open the m4a file in Music app and choose File -> Convert. No option available, including convert to id 3 tag, create aac version and create iPod or iPhone version.

There are several ways to Convert an M4A to MP3

Here is a link to the Official Apple Support article on M4A to MP3 conversion.

Convert an M4A file to MP3 (with Apple Music app)

1. In the menu bar of Apple Music, choose Music > Settings.
2. Click the Files tab, then click Import Settings.
3. Choose MP3 Encoder from the Import Using pop-up menu, then click OK.
4. If the M4A file isn't in your music library, drag the file from the Finder into Apple Music.
5. Select the M4A file in Apple Music that you want to convert. If you're having trouble finding the file, click Recently Added in the sidebar to find the file.
6. Choose File > Convert > Create MP3 Version. The new MP3 file appears in your library next to the original M4A file.
7. To access the converted file, select the converted file in Apple Music, then choose File > Show in Finder.

londcwsha wrote:

iTunes is no longer available on new Mac and the Music app does not have an output option for mp3.

That is not correct. I just did it. In the Music application, go to Settings>Files>Import Settings and change it to mp3. You can then use the File>Convert to convert to an mp3.

Try Shutter Encoder, VLC or ffmpeg:

ffmpeg -i input.m4a output.mp3

Hi,

It is not that simple! Changing the extension to .mp3 does not change the format.

Jim

iTunes is no longer available on new Mac and the Music app does not have an output option for mp3.

Both of the methods support the latest macOS Sonoma and Apple Silicon.

[Edited by Moderator]

Thank you! Wow - after spending two hours trying to figure this out and trying everything above, this easy solution worked.

This is not working for me. When I select convert, it doesn't give me the option to select files and just gives the error message 'None of the selected files were converted because they could not be found'

Hi,

See Convert a song to a different file format with the Apple Music app or iTunes for Windows – Apple Support (UK)

Jim

barryedney wrote:

This is not working for me. When I select convert, it doesn't give me the option to select files and just gives the error message 'None of the selected files were converted because they could not be found'

That's an entirely different issue. That indicates that Music has lost its connection to the files. There's some information here:

Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support

Zeman43 wrote:

I am trying to convert m4afile to mp3 i convert it but cant find it

In the Music application, go to Settings>Files>Import Settings and change it to mp3. You can then use the File>Convert to convert to an mp3.

Thank you! This is so appreciated