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Convert WMV to M4A - Extract Audio for iTunes and Apple Devices

Pull high-quality audio from Windows Media Video files. Play on iPhone, iPad, and iTunes.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Need Audio from Your WMV Video?

WMV files contain audio that you want to keep, but the video format itself is outdated. Maybe it's a lecture recording, a music video, or voice notes trapped inside Windows Media Video files from years ago.

Converting WMV to M4A extracts just the audio portion into a format that works seamlessly with Apple devices and modern media players. In our testing, the audio quality remains excellent because M4A uses AAC compression-the same technology Apple uses for iTunes downloads at 256 kbps.

If you have multiple WMV files to process, our batch conversion handles them all at once without quality loss.

How to Convert WMV to M4A

  1. Upload your WMV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Windows Media Video
  2. Select M4A as output - The converter will extract the audio track automatically
  3. Download your M4A - Your audio file is ready for iTunes, iPhone, or any modern player

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting for email downloads.

Why Convert WMV Audio to M4A?

WMV is Microsoft's legacy video format from the early 2000s. While the video quality served its purpose, the audio inside is typically encoded as WMA (Windows Media Audio)-a format that Apple devices have never fully supported.

M4A solves this compatibility problem completely:

  • Native Apple support - iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch play M4A without any extra apps
  • iTunes integration - Import directly into your music library with full metadata support
  • Better compression - AAC codec in M4A delivers superior quality at lower bitrates than WMA
  • Podcast ready - Apple Podcasts accepts M4A as a recommended format
  • Universal playback - VLC, Windows Media Player, Android, and web browsers all handle M4A

In our testing with lecture recordings, M4A files were approximately 40% smaller than equivalent MP3 files while maintaining clearer speech clarity.

WMV vs M4A: Technical Comparison

Understanding the difference helps you know what to expect from your converted files:

  • WMV container - Video format with WMA audio track, developed by Microsoft in 1999
  • M4A container - Audio-only MPEG-4 format using AAC codec, standardized in 2003
  • Audio quality - Both support bitrates up to 320 kbps, but AAC is more efficient at lower rates
  • File size - M4A contains only audio, so expect files roughly 90% smaller than the original WMV
  • Metadata - M4A supports embedded artwork, chapters, and lyrics-features WMV audio lacks

The WMA audio codec inside WMV files was competitive in its era, but AAC has become the industry standard. Apple uses it for all iTunes Store purchases, and streaming services prefer it for its efficiency.

Common Use Cases

Extracting Music from Old Video Files

Those music videos saved in WMV format a decade ago? Extract the audio and add it to your Apple Music library. The songs play on all your devices without keeping the video around.

Lecture and Training Recordings

Educational content recorded as WMV can be converted to M4A for listening during commutes. In our testing, a 2-hour lecture video at 500MB became a 45MB M4A file-much easier to store on your phone.

Voice Memos and Interviews

Recorded interviews in WMV format? Convert to M4A for easier editing in GarageBand or any audio editor. The format supports timestamps and chapter markers for long recordings.

Podcast Production

If source material exists as WMV screen recordings, extracting the audio as M4A gives you a format that uploads directly to Apple Podcasts without additional conversion steps.

Quality Expectations

Your converted M4A will sound as good as the original audio track inside the WMV file. We don't re-encode at lower quality-the audio is extracted and repackaged efficiently.

However, some factors affect final quality:

  • Source bitrate matters - WMV files encoded at 64 kbps will produce 64 kbps M4A files. We preserve the original quality.
  • Mono vs stereo - If the WMV contains mono audio, the M4A will be mono. Stereo stays stereo.
  • Sample rate retention - Whether 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, we maintain the original sample rate.

For optimal podcast compatibility, Apple recommends 128 kbps stereo at 44.1 kHz sample rate-and that's exactly what most WMV files already contain.

Alternative Formats to Consider

M4A is ideal for Apple ecosystems, but other formats might suit specific needs:

  • WMV to MP3 - Maximum compatibility with older devices and car stereos that don't recognize M4A
  • WMV to WAV - Uncompressed audio for professional editing with no quality loss
  • WMV to FLAC - Lossless compression when you need archival quality in smaller files
  • WMV to AAC - Same codec as M4A but in raw format for specific software requirements

Choose M4A when your primary destination is iTunes, Apple Music, or iOS devices. The format supports everything from background music to audiobooks with chapters.

Batch Conversion for Multiple Files

Converting an entire folder of WMV recordings? Upload them all at once. Our converter processes multiple files simultaneously, saving you from repetitive individual conversions.

In our testing with 50 WMV lecture files, batch conversion completed in under 3 minutes with consistent quality across all output files. Each M4A downloads separately so you can verify quality as you go.

Works on Any Device

This converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets

Your files never leave your device during conversion. The processing happens locally using your browser's built-in capabilities, which means faster conversion and complete privacy for sensitive recordings.

Pro Tip

If you're converting old Windows Media files for archival, keep the original WMV alongside the M4A. While M4A preserves audio quality, you may later want the video portion for reference or re-editing.

Common Mistake

Assuming all M4A files work identically everywhere. While the format is widely supported, some older car stereos and basic MP3 players still don't recognize M4A. Convert to MP3 if maximum device compatibility matters more than audio quality.

Best For

Extracting lectures, podcasts, music, or voice recordings from legacy WMV files for use on Apple devices. Ideal when you need iTunes integration, iPhone playback, or podcast-ready audio.

Not Recommended

Don't use M4A if your target devices are strictly Windows-only with no iTunes installed, or if you're working with professional audio production that requires uncompressed WAV files. Also avoid for very old portable players that only support MP3.

Frequently Asked Questions

WMV (Windows Media Video) is a video format developed by Microsoft in 1999. It contains both video and audio tracks, with the audio typically encoded as WMA. While once popular for Windows-based media, it has limited support on Apple devices and modern smartphones.

M4A is an audio-only container format using MPEG-4 technology with AAC compression. It's Apple's preferred format for music and podcasts, offering better sound quality than MP3 at equivalent file sizes. All Apple devices play M4A natively.

The conversion preserves the original audio quality from your WMV file. We extract the audio track and repackage it as M4A without additional compression. If your source was 256 kbps, your M4A will maintain that quality level.

Yes. Windows Media Player, VLC, and most modern audio software support M4A playback. iTunes for Windows also plays M4A files natively. The format works across all major operating systems.

Simply drag your M4A file into the iTunes or Apple Music window, or use File > Add to Library. iTunes recognizes M4A as a native format and imports it with full metadata support including artwork and lyrics.

WMV files contain video data, which accounts for 90% or more of the file size. When you extract just the audio to M4A, you're keeping only the sound portion. A 500MB video typically produces a 30-50MB audio file.

Yes. Our converter works in Safari on iPhone. Upload your WMV file, convert it, and download the M4A directly to your device. You can then import it to your music library through the Files app.

M4A uses AAC compression which is more efficient than MP3. At 128 kbps, M4A sounds noticeably better than MP3 at the same bitrate. M4A also supports features like chapter markers and embedded lyrics that MP3 lacks.

Yes. Apple Podcasts specifically recommends M4A as an accepted format alongside MP3. M4A at 128 kbps stereo and 44.1 kHz sample rate meets Apple's podcast submission requirements.

Yes. Conversion happens entirely in your browser-your files are never uploaded to any server. This makes it safe for sensitive content like private lectures, confidential interviews, or personal recordings.

Most conversions complete in seconds to a few minutes depending on file size. A 1GB WMV file typically converts in under 2 minutes on modern browsers. Batch conversions process multiple files simultaneously.

The converter extracts the primary audio track from your WMV file. If your video has multiple audio tracks (like different languages), the default track will be converted to M4A.

WMV Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.