4 Ways to Convert WMA to MP3 on Mac Flawlessly 2023

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Peter William
January 06, 2023 Preview 21.3K Preview 0
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WMA, a short form for Windows Media Audio, is widely applied on Windows-based programs and music download services. For Windows users, it’s indeed a very helpful audio format due to its high quality.

But the compatibility of WMA is not as good as MP3. You can’t put WMA music or sounds into a website. What's worse for Mac users, it can’t be opened on Mac-based software.

MP3, enough said, is one of the most popular audio formats that are compatible with all devices and platforms including Mac. To enjoy and edit WMA on Mac, you’d better convert it to MP3. Read below to master how to convert WMA to MP3 on Mac.

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The Best Way to Mass Convert WMA to MP3 on Mac

The best method to convert WMA files to MP3 on Mac is to use dedicated and feature-rich software. Cisdem Video Converter is such a tool that will assist you to deal with video/audio-related tasks in the most efficient manner possible.

Not just converting WMA to MP3 without losing quality, it supports almost all the formats for file conversion, including M4A to MP3, MKV to MOV, MTS to MP4, YouTube to MP4, AVI to iPhone, etc.

Moreover, it allows you to download videos from 1000+ video sharing sites and rip protected DVD content to media formats like WMA, MP3, and MP4.

Standout features:

  • Support a variety of input and output media formats
  • Choose output audio quality, sample rate, bitrate, and sample
  • Encode video in HEVC/H.265, while retaining the same visual quality
  • Merge multiple WMA audio tracks prior to conversion
  • Enhance videos with the inbuilt editor
  • Convert DVD to mainstream file formats for playback on portable devices
  • Download SD, HD, and UHD videos from YouTube, Facebook, etc.
  • Process files in bulk

Free Download

Step 1. Load WMA files

Install Cisdem WMA to MP3 converter to Mac, and launch it.

convert interface

On the main interface, drag and drop WMA files to the program. Or you can add files from Media Browser by clicking the button in the upper-right corner.

load wma files

Step 2. Select MP3 as the target format

Click the format icon, then a drop-down list will appear with tabs of “General Video”, “General Audio”, “4K Video, Apple Device”, “Tablet”, etc.

Go to “General Audio” and choose the MP3 format.

choose mp3 as output format

Step 3. Configure encoding settings (optional)

Click the icon placed alongside the output format of your choice, and an "Advanced Settings" panel will pop up like so, which can control over the output audio parameters.

advanced settings

Step 4. Convert multiple WMA to MP3 on Mac

Click the conversion icon icon at the bottom right corner and your WMA files will be converted to MP3 formats in batches.

Free Download

Convert WMA to MP3 on Mac with VLC

VLC is an open-source audio and video-playing program developed by the VideoLAN team.

It supports playing MP4, WAV, WMV, DIVX, MP3, AAC, WMA, etc. on Mac, and also supports converting these file formats to WebM, OGG, ASF, TS, CD, MP4, MP3, FLAC, etc.

Follow the guide to change WMA file to MP3 on Mac using VLC without spyware, ads, and user tracking.

  1. Run VLC media player. Hit "File" > "Convert/Stream" on the status bar at top of the Mac screen.convert wma to mp3 mac vlc 01
  2. When a new window shows up, drop the WMA file to a specified area or click the "Open media" button to add the WMA.
  3. Choose "Audio - MP3" from the format list.
  4. Click on "Save as File" > "Browser".convert wma to mp3 mac vlc 02
  5. Rename your MP3 file (xxx.mp3) and choose a location to save WMA as MP3 on Mac.

However, VLC is mainly for video & audio playback. Its conversion feature is not practical enough. And the functions of VLC are limited, you can’t download & share videos, rip DVD with it. Besides, many Mac users said its interface needs some improvement.

Convert WMA to MP3 on Mac via Free Online Service

There're plenty online audio converters available for you to change WMA files to MP3 without purchasing, downloading and installing software on Mac. If you are looking for these kinds of online services, here are 2 to try.

#1 Online Audio Converter

Online Audio Converter is a sleek and easy-to-use web app, deeply loved by music collectors.

It currently supports 8 output formats including MP3, WAV, M4A, AMR, MP2, M4R (for iPhone ringtones), OGG and FLAC.

Meanwhile, it lets you convert multiple WMA files simultaneously in batch and preserve them in a ZIP archive.

  1. Visit the website - https://online-audio-converter.com/.
  2. Add WMA files from local Mac folder, Google Drive, Dropbox, or URLs.
  3. Select MP3 as the output audio format.
  4. Edit WMA files with quality, advanced settings, and track info.
  5. Hit "Convert" to initiate the process.
  6. Download converted or compressed audio in MP3.wma to mp3 converter mac online 01

#2 CloudConvert

CloudConvert is a cloud-based WMA converter for Mac with the ability to convert WMA to MP3, AAC, AIFF, M4A, WAV and more.

It also works with video, document, image, eBook, spreadsheet, etc. formats. But the free account has certain limitations.

The input file can't exceed 1GB (not suitable for converting video files) and it only supports 5 concurrent conversions.

  1. Head to https://cloudconvert.com/ in your browser.
  2. Press the “Select File” button to import the WMA file.
  3. Select MP3 as the desired format.
  4. Click “Convert”.
  5. Check the converted audio track and download it.wma converter for mac online 02

Merits of online WMA to MP3 converters for Mac are apparent: free, saving much time & space, no need installation, etc.

On the other hand, the drawbacks can’t be ignored. So many online sites may:

  • Put rough-and-tumble ads on pages and mislead you to download malware
  • Merely offer few type and number of formats
  • Rely on the Internet. If your network is poor or not steady, it will be tough to convert WMA to MP3 online.
  • Limit the maximum upload size
  • No extra functions for video and audio
  • Leak audio information

Transcode WMA to MP3 through FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a powerful library to record, stream, and transcoding media files. It's capable of converting an audio or video from one format to another.

Plus, it supports batch conversion, changing codecs, adding subtitles, etc. You need to revise the commands flexibly.

But if you don’t know anything about code technology, then you are not recommended to try FFmpeg.

Let’s see how to use it to make conversion.

  1. Navigate to http://ffmpeg.org/ to install FFmpeg
  2. Once finished, drag-n-drop FFmpeg into the Terminal program.
  3. Type the command: -i xxx.wma -map 0 xxx.mp3 or -i xxx.wma xxx.mp3.
    Note: The WMA is the input audio, and you can give any name to the output MP3 file, like sample-audio.mp3.
  4. Press "Enter" on keyboard to beginning transcoding, and the converted MP3 is stored in your home directory on Mac.convert wma to mp3 mac ffmpeg

People Also Ask

1) Can I convert WMA to MP3 Mac using iTunes?

No, you can’t.

As I mentioned in the first part, WMA can’t be imported into Mac-based software, like iTunes, QuickTime, and iMovie.

However, if you have iTunes installed on Windows computer, you can convert WMA to MP3. By default, Windows iTunes will convert files to M4A, not MP3. So you need to change your iTunes preferences first.

2) Can Audacity convert WMA files to MP3 on Mac?

No, the original Audacity can't do it and only MP3, WAV, and AIFF can be added.

But you are able to install the FFmpeg library to expand a wider range of audio formats like WMA, AC3, AMR, etc. for import and export. FFmpeg partially supports WMA, but may not support some variants of WMA files, e.g. DRM-protected WMA.

Download FFmpeg from https://lame.buanzo.org/#lameosx64bitdl.

ffmpeg for audacity

Also, it's best to install the LAME MP3 encoder at the same time.

3) How can I play WMA on Mac?

  • Install a Windows Media Components - Flip4Mac for QuickTime
  • Use an alternative to QuickTime Player, such as Cisdem Video Player and VLC

The Bottom Line

Above are detailed guides for converting WMA to MP3 on Mac with several advantageous tools. Although all of them give certain help to fulfill the task, my favorite solution is to Cisdem Video Converter for Mac. It offers fast audio conversion, and many additional features for video editing/download, and DVD ripping. Start to use the well-received WMA to MP3 converter Mac, you will be surprised by the little fun it brings to you!

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Peter William
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Peter has always had great enthusiasm for writing, programming and web development. He likes writing about software and technology, his works are featured on some tech blogs or forums like Tom's Hardware, CNET, etc.

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