How to Convert Audio Files to AAC or MP3 in Apple Music on Mac

Whether you have recorded an audio interview, exported a podcast draft, or downloaded uncompressed sound recordings in WAV or AIFF format, large raw audio files consume gigabytes of storage and are often too large to attach to emails or upload to web forms. When Mac users need to convert these recordings into smaller, highly compatible MP3 or AAC files, they often search the internet for third-party converter applications or upload private recordings to online conversion websites.

You do not need to install extra software or hand your personal audio files to third-party web services. The native Apple Music application built into macOS includes an industrial-grade audio encoding engine. With a quick configuration in settings, Apple Music can transcode audio files into AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, or AIFF formats with custom bitrates and sample rates. This guide explains how to set your preferred format and convert files in seconds.

Supported Audio Encoders in Apple Music

Apple Music supports several standard audio conversion codecs:

• AAC Encoder: Advanced Audio Coding (default .m4a). Provides better audio fidelity than MP3 at identical bitrates. Ideal for Apple devices, modern web playback, and podcast uploads.
• MP3 Encoder: The universal standard (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III). Best for compatibility with legacy media players, car stereos, and non-Apple hardware.
• Apple Lossless Encoder (ALAC): Compresses uncompressed audio files by approximately 40–50% without discarding any acoustic data. Perfect for high-fidelity archival.
• AIFF and WAV Encoders: Creates uncompressed PCM audio files for studio editing and professional sound engineering.

Step 1: Choose Your Preferred Export Format and Bitrate

Before initiating a conversion, configure Apple Music to use the specific encoder and quality setting you require:

1. Launch the Music app on your Mac.
2. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click Music and select Settings (or press Command + Comma).
3. Click the Files tab.
4. Near the bottom of the window, click the Import Settings button.
5. In the Import Using dropdown menu, select your target audio format (e.g. AAC Encoder or MP3 Encoder).
6. In the Setting dropdown menu below it, choose your desired bitrate quality (e.g. High Quality (160 kbps), Higher Quality (256 kbps), or select Custom to specify stereo bitrates up to 320 kbps).
7. Click OK, then click OK again to save your preferences.

Step 2: Convert Files Already in Your Music Library

If the song, voice memo, or recording is already present inside your Apple Music library:

1. Select the song or audio track in your library view. (You can hold Command or Shift to select multiple tracks for batch conversion).
2. In the top menu bar, click File > Convert.
3. Click Create [Format] Version (for example, Create AAC Version or Create MP3 Version, depending on what you selected in Step 1).
4. Apple Music processes the file. A new converted track appears in your library immediately alongside the original file.

Step 3: Convert Audio Files Stored in Finder Without Importing Them First

You can convert raw audio files directly from your desktop or Downloads folder without adding them to your permanent music collection beforehand:

1. Hold down the Option (Alt) key on your Mac keyboard.
2. While holding Option, click File in the menu bar and hover over Convert.
3. The menu item transforms into Convert to [Format]… (with an ellipsis). Click it.
4. In the Finder file dialogue that opens, navigate to the folder containing your audio files (WAV, AIFF, FLAC, or M4A).
5. Select the files you want to convert and click Open.
6. Apple Music transcodes the files and places the newly compressed versions directly into your Music media folder while leaving your original source files untouched.

How to Locate Your Converted Files in Finder

To access the actual converted .m4a or .mp3 file on your Mac’s storage so you can email or transfer it:

1. Right-click (or Control-click) the newly created audio track in the Music application.
2. Select Show in Finder.
3. Finder opens the exact folder location containing the converted audio file.

Using the built-in Apple Music encoder protects your privacy, prevents adware installations, and delivers high-fidelity audio conversions natively on macOS.