How to Convert M4A to WAV — Step by Step
Need to edit an iPhone voice memo in Audacity or Pro Tools? Convert it from M4A to WAV first. Most audio editors work best with WAV. This guide shows you how to do it instantly in your browser.
What You Need
An M4A file — from iPhone voice memos, iTunes, Apple Music, or GarageBand exports. A web browser. AudioUtils processes the file locally. The M4A may contain AAC (lossy) or ALAC (lossless) audio. Both convert to WAV cleanly. ALAC to WAV is a perfect lossless conversion. AAC to WAV produces an uncompressed version of the lossy audio.
Step-by-Step Conversion
Open the M4A to WAV converter on AudioUtils. Drop your M4A file onto the page. Click Convert. The AAC or ALAC audio is decoded and written as uncompressed PCM WAV. Download the file. Import it into your audio editor. The WAV will match the sample rate and bit depth of the original M4A content. For voice memos, expect a 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, 16-bit WAV.
What to Expect: File Sizes and Quality
The WAV file will be significantly larger. A 2 MB voice memo becomes 20-30 MB as WAV. A 5 MB music file becomes 40-50 MB. Quality from AAC sources stays the same — you cannot recover data lost during AAC compression. From ALAC sources, the WAV is a bit-perfect representation. The larger file size is the trade-off for universal compatibility with audio editing tools.
Common Issues and Fixes
Voice memo will not load: Transfer it properly from your iPhone first. Use AirDrop, email, or the Files app to get the M4A onto your computer. Protected files: DRM-locked M4A files from older iTunes purchases cannot be converted. Re-download from Apple for DRM-free versions. Stereo when expected mono: iPhone voice memos may record in stereo depending on the device model and settings.
Alternative Methods
Audacity: Open M4A directly (requires FFmpeg library), then Export as WAV. FFmpeg: ffmpeg -i input.m4a output.wav. QuickTime Player (Mac): Open the M4A, then File > Export As > WAV. GarageBand: Import and export as WAV. For bulk voice memo conversion, transfer all memos to your computer first, then batch process with FFmpeg or AudioUtils.