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Convert WMA to AIFF - Windows Audio to Apple Format

Transform Microsoft WMA files into Apple-compatible AIFF for seamless Mac audio editing.

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Step 3: Convert files

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WMA Files Won't Play on Your Mac?

You have audio files in WMA format from a Windows PC, but now you're working on a Mac. The problem: Apple doesn't natively support WMA files. QuickTime won't play them, iTunes ignores them, and professional DAWs like Logic Pro can't import them.

Converting WMA to AIFF solves this completely. AIFF is Apple's native uncompressed audio format, designed specifically for macOS and iOS. Every Apple application-from GarageBand to Final Cut Pro-handles AIFF files perfectly. In our testing, AIFF files load instantly in Logic Pro while WMA files simply show an import error.

How to Convert WMA to AIFF

  1. Upload your WMA file - Drag and drop or click to select from your device
  2. Confirm AIFF as output - AIFF is pre-selected for maximum Apple compatibility
  3. Download your audio - Get your Mac-ready AIFF file instantly

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting. Your audio converts in seconds and downloads directly to your device.

Why WMA and Mac Don't Mix

WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's proprietary audio format, developed in 1999 to compete with MP3. It uses the Advanced Systems Format (ASF) container and comes in four variants: WMA Standard, WMA Pro (multichannel support), WMA Lossless, and WMA Voice.

The compatibility issue stems from licensing. Apple never licensed WMA playback for its platforms, so:

  • macOS - QuickTime and Apple Music cannot play WMA files
  • iOS - iPhone and iPad have no native WMA support
  • Logic Pro - Refuses to import WMA for audio production
  • GarageBand - Cannot recognize WMA format
  • Final Cut Pro - No WMA audio import capability

While third-party apps like VLC can play WMA on Mac, this doesn't help when you need to edit the audio or use it in Apple's professional tools.

AIFF: Apple's Professional Audio Standard

Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) was developed by Apple in 1988 based on Electronic Arts' IFF format. It stores uncompressed PCM audio data-the same raw audio quality used in professional studios.

Key AIFF advantages for Mac users:

  • Native compatibility - Works perfectly across all Apple applications
  • Uncompressed audio - No generation loss during editing
  • Loop point support - Stores musical loop markers for sample libraries
  • Metadata preservation - Retains artist, title, and other ID3-style information
  • 16-bit and 24-bit support - Handles studio-quality audio up to 24-bit/96kHz

In our testing, Logic Pro imports AIFF files with zero latency, while WAV files (the Windows equivalent) occasionally require conversion on older macOS versions.

When You Need This Conversion

Migrating from Windows to Mac

Switching platforms means dealing with format compatibility. If you have a music library ripped in WMA format from older Windows Media Player days, converting to AIFF makes them usable on your new Mac without quality loss.

Professional Audio Production

Received audio files from a Windows-based client or collaborator? Logic Pro, Pro Tools on Mac, and other DAWs expect AIFF or WAV. Convert once and edit freely.

Podcast Production on Mac

Interview recordings or voice files in WMA format need conversion before editing in GarageBand or Adobe Audition on Mac. AIFF provides the highest quality for spoken word content.

Sample Library Creation

Building a sample library for music production? AIFF supports loop points and markers that WMA cannot store. Professional sample packs are almost always distributed as AIFF or WAV.

Technical Comparison: WMA vs AIFF

FeatureWMAAIFF
DeveloperMicrosoft (1999)Apple (1988)
CompressionLossy (typically 128-320 kbps)Uncompressed (PCM)
File Size (4-min song)4-8 MB40-50 MB
Mac SupportNone (native)Full native support
Windows SupportFull native supportRequires QuickTime or player
Logic Pro CompatibleNoYes
Bit DepthUp to 24-bit (WMA Lossless)Up to 24-bit
Sample RateUp to 96 kHzUp to 192 kHz

The file size difference is significant. AIFF files are roughly 5-10x larger than compressed WMA because they store uncompressed audio. This is a tradeoff: larger files but maximum quality for editing.

Quality Considerations

When converting from WMA to AIFF, understand what's happening technically. WMA is typically a lossy format-audio data was already discarded during the original encoding. Converting to AIFF preserves exactly what remains but cannot recover lost data.

In our testing with various WMA bitrates:

  • 320 kbps WMA - Converts cleanly, suitable for most production work
  • 192 kbps WMA - Good quality, minor artifacts may appear in very quiet passages
  • 128 kbps WMA - Audible compression, best for voice content or background audio
  • WMA Lossless - Perfect conversion, equivalent to original CD quality

If you have WMA Lossless files (less common but used by audiophiles), the conversion to AIFF is mathematically lossless-you get identical audio data in Apple's format.

Alternative Formats to Consider

Depending on your use case, other target formats might serve you better:

  • WMA to WAV - If you work on both Mac and Windows, WAV has broader cross-platform support
  • WMA to MP3 - For sharing or portable devices where file size matters more than editing capability
  • WMA to FLAC - Lossless compression for archival with smaller file sizes than AIFF
  • WMA to M4A - Apple's preferred compressed format for iTunes and Apple Music

Choose AIFF when you specifically need Mac native compatibility for professional audio applications, or when working with Logic Pro, GarageBand, or Final Cut Pro.

Batch Conversion for Large Libraries

Have hundreds of WMA files from an old music library? Our converter handles multiple files at once. Upload your entire collection and convert everything to AIFF in a single session-no need to process files one at a time.

This is particularly useful when migrating from Windows to Mac. Instead of hunting for individual files, convert your whole library and move on with your work.

Works on Any Device

Convert WMA to AIFF directly in your browser:

  • macOS - Safari, Chrome, Firefox
  • Windows - Chrome, Firefox, Edge
  • Linux - Any modern browser
  • iOS - Safari on iPhone and iPad
  • Android - Chrome or Firefox

No plugins, no extensions, no downloads. The conversion runs entirely in your browser using modern web technologies.

Pro Tip

If you're migrating a large Windows music library to Mac, convert everything to AIFF first, then let Apple Music or Logic Pro handle any further format optimization. Starting with uncompressed AIFF gives you maximum flexibility.

Common Mistake

Converting WMA to AIFF won't improve audio quality-it just changes the container. If your WMA was encoded at a low bitrate, the AIFF will contain that same quality. Don't expect 128 kbps WMA to sound like CD quality after conversion.

Best For

Audio producers working in Logic Pro, GarageBand, or Final Cut Pro who receive Windows-sourced audio files. AIFF is Apple's native format and loads instantly in all Apple creative apps.

Not Recommended

Don't convert to AIFF if you just want to listen to music on your Mac. Use M4A or MP3 for playback-they're much smaller. AIFF is overkill for casual listening and wastes storage space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apple never licensed Microsoft's WMA codec for macOS or iOS. WMA is a proprietary Microsoft format, and Apple chose not to include support in QuickTime, iTunes, or Apple Music. Converting to AIFF or another Apple-supported format is the solution.

No. AIFF stores uncompressed audio, but it cannot recover data lost during WMA encoding. If your WMA was encoded at 128 kbps, the AIFF will contain that same quality in an uncompressed container. However, AIFF prevents any further quality loss during editing.

AIFF stores uncompressed audio data while WMA uses lossy compression. A 4-minute song might be 5 MB as WMA but 40-50 MB as AIFF. The larger file preserves full audio fidelity without compression artifacts.

No. Logic Pro does not support WMA format. You must convert WMA to AIFF, WAV, or another supported format before importing into Logic Pro. AIFF is the recommended choice as Apple's native format.

Both are uncompressed and sound identical. AIFF has slightly better metadata support and was designed specifically for Mac. Logic Pro and other Apple apps handle both equally well, but AIFF is the more 'native' choice.

DRM-protected WMA files (common from older Windows Media DRM services) cannot be converted. The protection prevents any format conversion. Only unprotected WMA files can be converted to AIFF.

Yes. WMA Lossless contains uncompressed audio data. Converting to AIFF is a lossless process-the audio is mathematically identical. Both formats store the same PCM audio, just in different containers.

Yes, perfectly. GarageBand natively supports AIFF files. You can import them directly into any GarageBand project on Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

Upload all your WMA files together using our batch upload feature. Select multiple files or drag an entire folder. All files convert to AIFF simultaneously and download as a package.

For iTunes playback, M4A (AAC) is more practical-smaller files with good quality. Choose AIFF only if you plan to edit the audio later or need maximum quality. iTunes plays both formats perfectly.

Yes. Our converter works in Safari on iPhone. Upload WMA files from your Files app, convert to AIFF, and download directly to your device. No app installation required.

The conversion preserves your source file's sample rate. If your WMA is 44.1 kHz (CD quality), the AIFF output is 44.1 kHz. Higher sample rates from WMA Pro files (up to 96 kHz) are also preserved.

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