Step-by-Step Guide Using Apple Music, QuickTime, and Other Built-in Tools
Book a callApple Music provides a simple way to convert AIFF files to MP3. Follow these steps for a smooth conversion process:
Open Apple Music
Launch the Apple Music app from your Applications folder.
Import AIFF Files
Click File in the top menu and select Import.
Locate and select the AIFF file you want to convert, then click Open.
Change Import Settings to MP3
Click Music in the top left corner of the screen, and select Preferences.
In the General tab, click Import Settings.
In the drop-down menu next to Import Using, select MP3 Encoder and choose your preferred bit rate.
Convert the AIFF to MP3
In your Apple Music library, find the AIFF track you imported.
Click on the three dots next to the track and select Convert.
Choose Create MP3 Version, and the app will create an MP3 file.
Locate Your MP3 File
The MP3 file will now appear in your Apple Music library. You can drag it out to your desktop or your desired folder.
QuickTime Player is another built-in option on Mac for converting AIFF files to MP3. Here’s how to do it:
Open the AIFF File in QuickTime Player
Find your AIFF file and right-click to open it with QuickTime Player.
Export the File
With the file open, click on File in the top menu and select Export As.
Choose the option for Audio Only.
Choose MP3 Format
In the Export As dialogue box, select MP3 as the format.
You can adjust the bit rate settings if needed (128 kbps is a typical choice for good sound quality).
Save the MP3
Choose the location where you want to save your MP3 file and click Save.
Your AIFF file is now converted to MP3.
If you’re looking for an alternative option, Audacity is a free and open-source audio editing software that also allows AIFF to MP3 conversion. Here's how to use it:
Download and Install Audacity
Visit the Audacity website and download the version compatible with your Mac.
Follow the instructions to install Audacity on your computer.
Install the LAME MP3 Encoder
Audacity requires the LAME MP3 encoder to export files as MP3. During installation, Audacity should prompt you to download and install the encoder. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Import AIFF File into Audacity
Launch Audacity, then go to File > Import > Audio.
Locate your AIFF file and click Open.
Export as MP3
Once the AIFF file is loaded in Audacity, go to File > Export > Export as MP3.
Choose the output location, set the desired MP3 quality settings, and click Save.
Locate Your MP3 File
The MP3 file will be saved to the location you selected during the export process.
AIFF is a high-quality, uncompressed audio format developed by Apple in 1988. It’s often used for professional audio work because it preserves the full fidelity of sound. However, since it’s uncompressed, AIFF files can be large, making them less efficient for storage and sharing compared to compressed formats like MP3.
MP3, developed in the 1990s, is a popular lossy audio compression format.
Unlike AIFF, MP3 reduces file size by discarding audio data that is less perceptible to the human ear. While this compression can affect sound quality, it allows for much smaller file sizes, making MP3 ideal for portable devices and streaming. MP3s remain one of the most widely used audio formats for music and podcasts.