How to Convert AIFF to MP3 Free

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Free Tools and Methods to Convert AIFF to MP3 Without Extra Costs

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Audio Conversion
Published: Jan 28, 2025 Edited: Jan 29, 2025

How to Convert AIFF to MP3 Free

Using Apple Music (Free and Built-in)

Apple Music offers an easy and free way to convert AIFF to MP3 on Mac without any extra software. Here’s how to do it:

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 your AIFF file, then click Open.

Change Import Settings to MP3

Click Music in the top left corner of the screen, then select Preferences.

In the General tab, click Import Settings.

In the drop-down menu next to Import Using, select MP3 Encoder and set your desired bit rate.

Convert the AIFF to MP3

In your Apple Music library, locate the AIFF track you imported.

Click the three dots next to the track and select Convert.

Choose Create MP3 Version, and Apple Music will convert the file.

Locate Your MP3 File

The MP3 version will appear in your Apple Music library. You can drag it to your desktop or another folder of your choice.

Using QuickTime Player (Free and Built-in)

QuickTime Player, another free app pre-installed on your Mac, provides an easy way to convert AIFF to MP3. Here’s how:

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 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 if necessary (128 kbps is a good option for a balance of quality and file size).

Save the MP3

Choose the destination where you want to save your MP3 file and click Save.

Your AIFF file is now converted to MP3!

Using Audacity (Free Software)

Audacity is a powerful, free, and open-source audio editor that allows you to convert AIFF to MP3 with ease. Here’s how you can do it:

Download and Install Audacity

Go to the Audacity website and download the latest version for Mac.

Follow the installation instructions to set up Audacity on your Mac.

Install the LAME MP3 Encoder

Audacity requires the LAME MP3 encoder to export MP3 files. You’ll be prompted to download and install it when you open Audacity for the first time.

Import Your AIFF File into Audacity

Open Audacity and select File > Import > Audio.

Find your AIFF file, select it, and click Open.

Export the File as MP3

Once the AIFF file is loaded in Audacity, go to File > Export > Export as MP3.

Choose the destination folder and desired MP3 settings, then click Save.

Locate Your MP3 File

Your MP3 file will be saved to the location you selected. Enjoy your converted MP3!

Using Online Converters (Free Option)

If you prefer not to install software, you can use free online converters to change AIFF to MP3. Here’s how:

Visit a Free Online Converter

Go to a free AIFF to MP3 converter website such as Zamzar, Online Audio Converter, or Convertio.

Upload Your AIFF File

Click the Upload or Choose File button on the website and select the AIFF file you want to convert.

Choose MP3 as the Output Format

Once your file is uploaded, select MP3 as the output format from the available options.

Convert and Download

Click Convert to start the process. Once it’s finished, the website will provide a download link for your MP3 file.

Download Your MP3 File

Click the Download button to save the MP3 file to your computer. Your AIFF file is now converted and ready to use!

A Brief Overview of AIFF and MP3 Formats

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)

AIFF is an uncompressed, high-quality audio format developed by Apple in 1988.

It retains all of the original audio data, which makes it ideal for professional audio work. However, because AIFF files are uncompressed, they tend to be large, making them less convenient for storage or sharing compared to compressed formats like MP3.

MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer III)

MP3 is a lossy compression format that reduces the size of audio files by discarding data that is less perceptible to the human ear. Introduced in the 1990s, MP3 became widely popular due to its small file sizes and compatibility with a wide variety of devices.

While MP3s sacrifice some sound quality, they remain a popular choice for digital music storage and streaming.

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