How to convert QuickTime (MOV) to M4A (AAC/ALAC)
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Upload your file
Drag and drop a file or click to select one. Keep this page open while the file uploads and converts.
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Convert QuickTime (MOV) to M4A (AAC/ALAC)
NexMedia converts QuickTime (MOV) to M4A (AAC/ALAC) on its own servers. Processing time depends on the file size and how busy the queue is.
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Download the converted file
When the conversion finishes, the download appears on this page. Your converted file is kept for 2 hours, then deleted.
About QuickTime (MOV)
MOV is the QuickTime container format from Apple. MP4 was based on it, so the two share the same structure, but MOV is also used for editing codecs such as Apple ProRes.
iPhones and many cameras record MOV, and editors such as Final Cut Pro export it.
Outside Apple software, MOV files that use ProRes or other professional codecs often do not play without extra software.
Convert MOV to M4A online free, no account required — M4A is an MPEG-4 audio file, usually holding AAC.
Change MOV to M4A without losing quality — convert MOV to M4A free in your browser.
Why won't my MOV file play on Windows or Android? QuickTime containers often carry Apple-specific codecs such as ProRes, so converting to MP4 with H.264 makes the video play everywhere.
About M4A (AAC/ALAC)
M4A is an MPEG-4 audio file: the MP4 container holding only audio, usually AAC and sometimes Apple Lossless (ALAC).
Music bought on iTunes, iPhone voice memos and many podcast downloads.
Whether an M4A is lossy or lossless depends on the codec inside, which the file extension does not show.
Why convert audio to M4A? It wraps efficient AAC audio with chapter marks and cover art in one small file that Apple, Android and Windows all play.
What changes when you convert MOV to M4A
- The soundtrack of the MOV is re-encoded as M4A at the default settings, so it is close to the original but not bit-identical.
- Only the sound is kept: the M4A file contains the audio track of your MOV, and the picture is dropped.
Settings you can change
Before you convert MOV to M4A, you can adjust: Audio codec, Rate control, Audio bitrate, Quality (VBR), Sample rate, Channels, Normalize loudness, Trim start, Trim duration, and Keep tags.
Limits
Each plan sets a maximum file size and a number of conversions per day, and video and audio files also have a maximum length. Guests can convert files up to 100 megabytes and 5 per day; a free account raises this to 500 megabytes and 25 per day; paid plans go up to 100 gigabytes.
Your converted M4A file is kept for 2 hours, then deleted.
MOV to M4A: questions and answers
Does converting MOV to M4A reduce quality?
The soundtrack of the MOV is re-encoded as M4A at the default settings, so it is close to the original but not bit-identical.
What is the difference between MOV and M4A?
MOV is Apple's QuickTime video container. M4A is an MPEG-4 audio file, usually holding AAC.
Can I change the settings when converting MOV to M4A?
Before you convert MOV to M4A, you can adjust: Audio codec, Rate control, Audio bitrate, Quality (VBR), Sample rate, Channels, Normalize loudness, Trim start, Trim duration, and Keep tags.
Do I need an account to convert MOV to M4A?
No. You can convert MOV to M4A without an account; signing in raises the file-size and daily limits.
How long is my converted M4A file kept?
The M4A file you convert from MOV is kept for 2 hours, then deleted automatically.
When I convert MOV to M4A, can I keep just the sound?
Only the sound is kept: the M4A file contains the audio track of your MOV, and the picture is dropped.
Will converting MOV to M4A change my original file?
No. The conversion reads your MOV and writes a new M4A file, leaving your original MOV file untouched.