“All my music is saved as m4a and m4p files. I just bought a new phone that only plays wma music files, so I can’t use any of my m4a and m4p music files on my computer. Is there a way I can convert these files from m4a and m4p so that they work with my new phone?”
Most m4a files are created when you use iTunes to rip CDs. iTunes Music Store is the most common source of m4p files. Each of these file types require different methods for converting to wma. Because the m4p files are protected with DRM, you have to play by the iTunes Music Store rules in order to convert them – in this case, the easiest way to go from m4p to wma is to burn an Audio CD in iTunes and then use Windows Media Player to rip that CD as wma files. Converting m4a files to wma is fully automated using my favorite freeware media converter, WinFF.
Before you begin, be sure to download WinFF media converter and install the application.
Converting Files from M4A to WMA
Converting from M4A files ripped by iTunes to WMA files that work with Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, and most non-Apple devices (like your cell phone) is a simple 4-step process:
Add the M4A files you want to convert to WMA format to WinFF. Choose Audio from the Convert to drop down list, so that you are working with only the audio conversion options. Choose WMA from the Device Preset list, which tells WinFF you want to go from M4A to WMA. Click the convert button to start the conversion process.
As files are converting files from M4A to WMA, a black window will appear on screen, which merely tells you the application is in the process of converting files. Depending on how many M4A files you are converting, the process could take a few minutes or a few hours. Repeat the same steps listed above any time you need to convert M4A files to WMA.
