---
title: ".m4a file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .m4a file is a MPEG-4 Audio. Audio in an MP4 container — what iTunes, Voice Memos and most modern recorders produce. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/m4a/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .m4a files

**.m4a file: MPEG-4 Audio**

Audio in an MP4 container — what iTunes, Voice Memos and most modern recorders produce.

## What opens a .m4a file

- **Windows:** Media Player (built in), VLC, foobar2000
- **macOS:** Music (built in), QuickTime Player (built in), VLC
- **Linux:** Rhythmbox / Music (built in), VLC, Audacious

## What a .m4a file is

An M4A is an MP4 file that contains only audio, usually AAC but sometimes Apple Lossless (ALAC). Apple introduced the extension so people could tell audio-only MP4s from video, and it is now the default for iTunes purchases, Apple Music downloads and iPhone voice memos. Any player that handles MP4 handles M4A; older purchases carried FairPlay DRM under the .m4p extension instead.

## Converting it

A .m4a file is commonly converted to .mp3, .wav, .flac, .aac or .ogg. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .m4a
- **Full name:** MPEG-4 Audio
- **Category:** Audio
- **MIME type:** audio/mp4
- **Created by:** Apple / ISO (MPEG)
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .m4a file?

On Windows use Media Player (built in); on macOS use Music (built in); on Linux use Rhythmbox / Music (built in). Audio in an MP4 container — what iTunes, Voice Memos and most modern recorders produce.

### What is a .m4a file?

MPEG-4 Audio. An M4A is an MP4 file that contains only audio, usually AAC but sometimes Apple Lossless (ALAC). Apple introduced the extension so people could tell audio-only MP4s from video, and it is now the default for iTunes purchases, Apple Music downloads and iPhone voice memos.

### Can I convert a .m4a file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .mp3, .wav, .flac, .aac or .ogg, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp3 — MPEG-1 Audio Layer III](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp3/)
- [.wav — Waveform Audio File](https://atoneplace.net/file/wav/)
- [.flac — Free Lossless Audio Codec](https://atoneplace.net/file/flac/)
- [.aac — Advanced Audio Coding](https://atoneplace.net/file/aac/)
- [.ogg — Ogg Vorbis Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/ogg/)
- [.opus — Opus Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/opus/)
- [.mid — MIDI Sequence](https://atoneplace.net/file/mid/)
- [.m3u — Media Playlist](https://atoneplace.net/file/m3u/)
- [.wma — Windows Media Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/wma/)
- [.aiff — Audio Interchange File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/aiff/)
- [.m4b — MPEG-4 Audiobook](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4b/)
- [.amr — Adaptive Multi-Rate Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/amr/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)