Convert audio files on Mac easily
11 min read
Key Takeaways
- Convert audio files effortlessly on Mac.
Permute lets you drag and drop files, choose the output format like MP3 or WAV, and convert them in seconds while maintaining high quality. - Supports almost all audio formats.
It handles M4A, AAC, WAV, and more, making it a universal media converter for audio, video, and images. - Batch conversion and customization.
Convert multiple files at once, adjust individual file settings, or create custom presets for faster, tailored conversions. - Secure and offline processing.
All conversions happen locally on your Mac, ensuring privacy and avoiding risky online uploads. - Ideal for social media and sharing.
Permute helps you meet platform requirements, like AAC 48 kHz for Instagram or 384 kbps for YouTube, keeping your audio quality intact. - Try Permute free via Setapp.
Start your Setapp trial here.
Switch between audio formats securely with Permute. It’s a universal media converter that works with nearly all file formats. Try converter for free via Setapp, a collection of 200+ apps.
Open Permute in Setapp
Drag & drop your audio
Pick the format and convert
When you try to play a shared sound file, downloaded song, or podcast you recorded, your Mac can just stare at you, then throw the annoying “unsupported format” error. In such cases, you need to convert the audio file to a format supported by your Mac or other device. This is also important when you want to share a file, as it ensures the recipient can play it.
The best way to convert audio files on Mac is through Permute. It’s the best Mac audio converter as it supports almost all file formats and handles everything locally to ensure privacy. It’s a simple drag-and-drop tool that’s available on Setapp, and I’ll show you how to use it to convert media files on Mac.
Why Permute is the best audio converter for Mac
Permute easily stands out from the crowd as it covers everything you need in a Mac audio converter, and then some. Converting media files via online services raises many security concerns. Most of such services ask you to upload files to their servers, which is pretty much like handing over private files to a stranger. To avoid the risks, solve all your conversion tasks with Permute on Mac.
Convert any format
Permute works with audio, video, and images in virtually all media formats. So you don’t need to use any other converters, ever.
Effortless process
With its drag & drop interface, Permute is a pleasure to use. You can batch upload media files, schedule conversion for later, extract audio from video, etc.
Available for free
While Permute is part of a Setapp membership, you can convert media for 7 days free, along with other premium 190+ apps.
Fast and secure
Change audio formats without sharing your files anywhere, lightning fast. Accelerate the process even more by creating custom presets.
Permute
Permute is a universal media converter for Mac. Easily convert audio, extract audio from video, and trim audio without sharing your files anywhere. Get Permute via Setapp
Convert audio files effortlessly on Mac with Permute
One of the things you’ll like about Permute is that, despite its power, it's super easy to use. It has a drop-and-drag interface that lets you add even multiple files at once. When you select the format and click the conversion button, all files will be processed within a few seconds, depending on the size.
Here’s how to convert audio files to MP3 or other formats using Permute:
Open Permute.
Drag and drop your files.
Select the output format.
Click the conversion button.
In case you can’t see the format you are looking for, click Add Preset > Add New Preset> Audio at step 3.
When converting multiple files, you can use Permute’s individual file customization options (below each file) to make adjustments such as trimming.
If you are downloading the files, you can check out this guide on how to save Snapchat videos.
Recommended apps for converting audio on Mac
Of course, there are many tools that can help you convert audio files, so let’s take a quick look at several. I’ve narrowed down the list to only the apps that convert locally, are secure, and don’t need an extra license.
App | Best for | Key features | Type |
All-purpose audio, video, and image conversion | Batch conversion, presets, secure local processing | Setapp (free trial) | |
Extracting audio (MP3) from videos | Downloads media from social media, integrates with Permute | Setapp (free trial) | |
VLC | Free manual conversions and playback | Converts to MP3, WAV, OGG. open-source and lightweight | Free |
Music (iTunes) | Converting and syncing Apple-friendly formats | Converts to AAC, MP3, WAV; syncs with iPhone/iPad | Built-in |
Note: While most of these apps will let you convert to a different format or extract audio, only Permute is a dedicated Mac audio converter. It’s also the only one that doesn’t need multiple steps and can help you convert audio to video.
Tips for fast and secure audio conversion
Below are a few tips to help increase efficiency and file security whenever you want to convert audio files on a Mac.
Stick to trusted, offline Mac apps: Avoid online converters as you’ll be sending your files to third-party servers that can’t be trusted.
Use batch conversion to save time: Permute gives you the option to convert multiple files at once.
Keep a copy of your originals: Just in case something goes wrong, test your new files before deleting the originals.
Check your output settings: It’s not all about the format, so check other details like the Bitrate and Sample Rate before conversion.
After batch conversion, it’s also a good idea to check the file details of a few files to ensure consistency.
A handy extra tool for your toolkit is the “All Video Downloader” GPT: It can help you quickly grab download links or step‑by‑step instructions for saving videos from many sites, without installing extra apps or digging through ad‑heavy downloader pages. Use it when a website doesn’t offer a clear download button, but always make sure you respect copyright and only download content you’re allowed to save.
FAQs
How can I convert audio files to MP3 on a Mac?
The easiest way to convert audio files to MP3 on a Mac is with Permute. Just drag and drop your file, select MP3, and click convert. It works in seconds and keeps the audio quality high.
What is the best app to convert audio files without losing quality?
Permute is one of the best audio converters for Mac if quality matters. It supports 15 audio formats and lets you adjust bitrate for more control over the output.
Can I convert M4A or AAC files to WAV format on Mac?
Yes. With Permute, you can convert M4A or AAC files to WAV by dragging them into the app and selecting WAV as the target format. The files are converted instantly to an uncompressed format.
How do I batch convert multiple audio files at once?
Permute supports batch conversion. Simply drag multiple audio files into the app, and it will convert them all in one go.
Is there a way to convert audio files offline without uploading them?
Yes. Permute converts audio files locally on your Mac, so you don’t need to upload anything. This ensures faster processing and better privacy.
Security-tested
