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M4A File - What is an .m4a file and how do I open it?
Learn about .M4A files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is an M4A file? An M4A file is an audio file that may store various types of audio content, such as songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. It is saved in the MPEG-4 format and encoded with either the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) codec or the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). Various media players, including Microsoft Windows Media Player 2022 (Windows) and Apple Music (macOS) can open M4A files.
More Information M4A file open in Adobe Audition 2021 MPEG-4 is a multimedia container format that supports video, audio, subtitle, and image data encoded in different codecs. MPEG-4 files that store video bear the .mp4 file extension ( .MP4 files). However, if the MPEG-4 file only stores audio, it is saved with the .m4a extension, which stands for "MPEG-4 Audio." This name change helped distinguish between MPEG-4 video files and MPEG-4 audio-only files. You will most likely encounter M4A files when downloading audio content via the Apple iTunes Store. The content, typically songs, is encoded with AAC compression, which significantly reduces the size of each file. In addition, songs that include copyright protection have an .m4p file extension ( .M4P files).
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Popularity3.7 | 262 Votes
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.M4A File Extension
MPEG-4 Audio
| Developer | Apple |
| Popularity |
3.7 | 262 Votes |
NEW: Open your .M4A file online with File Helper . View Online
What is an M4A file?
An M4A file is an audio file that may store various types of audio content, such as songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. It is saved in the MPEG-4 format and encoded with either the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) codec or the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). Various media players, including Microsoft Windows Media Player 2022 (Windows) and Apple Music (macOS) can open M4A files.
More Information
M4A file open in Adobe Audition 2021
MPEG-4 is a multimedia container format that supports video, audio, subtitle, and image data encoded in different codecs. MPEG-4 files that store video bear the .mp4 file extension ( .MP4 files). However, if the MPEG-4 file only stores audio, it is saved with the .m4a extension, which stands for "MPEG-4 Audio." This name change helped distinguish between MPEG-4 video files and MPEG-4 audio-only files.
You will most likely encounter M4A files when downloading audio content via the Apple iTunes Store. The content, typically songs, is encoded with AAC compression, which significantly reduces the size of each file. In addition, songs that include copyright protection have an .m4p file extension ( .M4P files).
How to open an M4A file
You can play M4A files with various audio players, including Microsoft Media Player (Windows), Apple Music (macOS), Adobe Audition (multiplatform), and VideoLAN VLC media player (multiplatform).
How to convert an M4A file
Many audio players and editors, including Adobe Audition, Apple GarageBand, and VideoLAN VLC media player, can convert M4A files to other audio formats.
For example, VLC media player can convert M4A audio to the following formats:
Programs that open M4A files
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Platform
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Windows
File Viewer Plus
—
Get it from Microsoft
Free +
Microsoft Media Player
Included with OS
Microsoft Windows Media Player
Included with OS
Adobe Audition 2023
Free Trial
Nullsoft Winamp
Free
Media Player Classic
Free
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Apple iTunes
—
Discontinued
Free
Mac
Apple Music
Included with OS
Apple QuickTime Player
Included with OS
Apple GarageBand
Included with OS
Adobe Audition 2023
Free Trial
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Eltima Elmedia Player
Free +
Apple iTunes
—
Discontinued
Free
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
iOS
Apple Music
Included with OS
VideoLAN VLC for Mobile
Free
Android
File Viewer for Android
Free +
Videolabs VLC for Android
Free
Apple Music
Included with OS
Chrome OS
ChromeOS Files
Included with OS
Category: Audio Files
Updated: June 9, 2023