File Extension Database

Open M4A File

M4A file extension is used by multimedia files that contain audio data encoded using MPEG4 Part 14 multimedia container format. The name stands for MPEG-4 Audio. This file extension was originally introduced by Apple Inc in order to differentiate different types of multimedia encoded with MPEG-4 since the format itself specified single file extension File extension MP4 for any kind of file.

Audio data in M4A files can be compressed with many diffrent algorithms inluding but not limited to: AAC, MP3, MP2, CELP, TwinVQ, SAOL and others.

Many audio players can open M4A files. These include WinAMP, Apple QuickTime and others.

Typical M4A application file locations:

C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe /open "%L"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /play "%L"
C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:6 /Play "%L"

Typical M4A mime types:

audio/m4a

Frequently used application names to open M4A files:

iTunes
QuickTime
Windows Media Player

Frequently associated Windows objects:

iTunes.m4a
Microsoft.Zune.2.M4A
QuickTime.m4a
WMP11.AssocFile.M4A

How Can I Open M4A File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open M4A file is to find a M4A file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a M4A file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open M4A file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as M4A file opener then try to search online for "M4A viewer", "application to open M4A file" or "open M4A file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open M4A file

How Can I Open M4A File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a M4A file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a M4A file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with M4A file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as M4A file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open M4A file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open M4A file then try to search for "M4A viewer", "application to open M4A file" or "read M4A file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read M4A file

How Can I Open M4A File on Android

If you downloaded a M4A file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded M4A file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "M4A".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "M4A viewer", "M4A file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open M4A File on iPhone or iPad

To open M4A File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the M4A file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "M4A". This way you can find apps which can open M4A files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "M4A viewer" or "M4A file" online in your favorite search engine.