M4A to WMA converter
Convert M4A to WMA in seconds, free and unlimited. No upload, no sign-up, no watermark: your audio never leaves your device. Re-encodes the audio into WMA.
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Quick answer: To convert M4A to WMA, add the M4A file to the iHateFiles M4A to WMA converter and press Convert. The conversion runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded, and it is free with no sign-up, watermark or size limit. Re-encodes the audio into WMA.
Should you convert M4A to WMA?
Do this when WMA plays somewhere M4A does not. It is a second round of lossy compression, so set the bitrate at or above the original.
Both M4A and WMA are lossy
M4A (AAC) has already discarded some of the sound, and WMA (Windows Media Audio) will discard a little more. The WMA encoder works from the M4A, not the original recording, so pick a bitrate at or above the source. A lower one saves space and costs quality you cannot get back.
Where the WMA will play
WMA plays on Windows, and very little on phones or Macs.
M4A and WMA side by side
| M4A | WMA | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the file | AAC | Windows Media Audio |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Carries sound | Yes | Yes |
| One minute of stereo | 1 to 1.9 MB | 1 MB or so |
| Plays on | Apple devices, Android, browsers and most modern players | Windows, and very little on phones or Macs |
| Here | Read and write | Read and write |
What usually goes wrong
About the M4A. M4A, M4B, M4R and AAC are largely the same thing with different extensions. Renaming usually works, though it is not something to rely on.
About the WMA. A WMA bought from an early music store may be DRM-locked, and no conversion can lawfully unlock it. A WMA you ripped yourself converts without any trouble.
How to convert M4A to WMA
- Add your M4A file. It is read from your disk and stays there.
- Check the settings. The output format is already set to WMA.
- Press convert and the WMA file is saved back to your device.
Questions
How do I convert M4A to WMA?
Open this page, add your M4A file, and press convert. The file is decoded and re-encoded by your own browser and saved back to your device. Nothing is uploaded.
Is this M4A to WMA converter free?
Yes, completely. There is no account, no sign-in, no watermark and no daily limit, because there is no server doing the work. Your own device does it.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. There is no upload endpoint. The conversion runs inside this browser tab, so your file never leaves your device. You can open your browser's network panel and watch: nothing carrying your file is sent.
Is there a file size limit?
No fixed limit. Because the work happens on your machine there is no server quota. The only ceiling is your own device's memory, which for video means very large files may be slow.
Will converting to WMA lose quality?
WMA is a lossy format, so some detail is discarded. The quality control on this page decides how much. The default is set high enough that most people cannot see the difference.
Can I convert several M4A files at once?
Yes. Add as many as you like and they are converted one after another, then offered as a single ZIP.