Audio conversion
Convert M4A to WAV
Updated Jul 2026
M4A is a compressed audio format used by iTunes downloads, voice memos, and many phone recordings, while WAV is uncompressed audio that any editing program or recording software can read without a hitch. To convert M4A to WAV, open the file in a converter and export it as WAV. Doing it on your own computer keeps the recording off other people's servers.
- Extension
- .m4a
- Type
- Audio
- Typically
- iTunes / voice memos
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .wav
- Type
- Audio
- Typically
- Uncompressed audio, recording
Convert M4A to WAV on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert M4A to WAV
- Open Morphjet and drag in the M4A file or voice memo you want to convert. Add one file or a whole folder at once.
- Choose WAV as the output format.
- Convert. The WAV file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
M4A vs WAV: what actually changes
| M4A | WAV | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Smaller, compressed | Much larger, uncompressed |
| Quality | Lossy, some detail discarded when encoded | Lossless, full quality preserved |
| Opens everywhere | Mostly Apple devices and modern players | Yes, near-universal support, including older software |
| Good for editing | No, re-encoding loses more quality each time | Yes, standard format for audio editing and mixing |
| Keeps metadata (title, artist) | Yes | Limited, WAV tagging support varies by program |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert M4A to WAV when you need to edit a recording, drop it into audio software that doesn't handle M4A well, or want a format that plays reliably on older or non-Apple gear.
Keep the M4A if you're just storing or listening to the file, since converting a lossy recording to WAV doesn't recover any quality, it only makes the file much bigger.
Why not just use an online converter?
Voice memos and personal recordings are some of the most sensitive audio people convert, sometimes containing private conversations, meeting notes, or voice IDs. An online converter means that recording gets uploaded to a stranger's server before you get your WAV back. Converting on your own computer means the audio never leaves your machine.
Questions
Does converting M4A to WAV improve the sound quality?
No. M4A is already compressed, so whatever detail was discarded when it was encoded is gone. Converting to WAV just stores the same audio uncompressed, it doesn't restore anything.
Why does the WAV file end up so much bigger?
WAV stores audio uncompressed, so a few minutes of recording can be tens of megabytes instead of a few. That's normal and expected, it's the tradeoff for a format that any editing tool can read directly.
Will the WAV keep my voice memo's title or timestamp?
Not reliably. WAV's metadata support is limited compared to M4A, so tags like title or artist may not carry over. The audio itself converts fine, it's just the extra info that can get dropped.
Can I convert M4A to WAV without uploading the file anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file on your own computer, so it never travels over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts M4A, WAV, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.