How to Convert WMA to an Apple Format (6 Steps)
By Stephen Ip
Windows Media Audio (WMA) is an audio file format created by Microsoft to play in Windows Media Player. Windows users that want to switch from using Windows Media Player to Apple iTunes for managing their digital music library will first need to convert their WMA files to an Apple compatible format. The audio format native to Apple iTunes is Advanced Audio Coding (AAC). Fortunately, Apple has made this process easy by building an audio file converter into iTunes.
Step 1
Locate all the WMA files you want to convert on your computer. Music files are usually stored in the "My Music" folder located within the "My Documents" folder.
Step 2
Open Apple iTunes by clicking on the "iTunes" icon on your desktop. If you do not currently have iTunes, download it from the Apple iTunes website.
Step 3
Open the iTunes preference pane by clicking "Edit" in the menu bar and selecting "Preference."
Step 4
Click the "General" tab in the iTunes preference pane and click the "Import Settings" button. In the pop up window, select "AAC Encoder" from the options listed next to the entry for "Import Using."
Step 5
Click "OK" to close the pop up window and "OK" again to close the preference pane.
Step 6
Import your WMA files to iTunes by clicking "File" in the menu bar and selecting "Add Folder to Library." In the pop up window that appears, navigate to the "My Music" folder or folder where your WMA files are stored. Click "OK" and the WMA files in the folder will be converted to AAC format and added to your iTunes library.
References
Tips
- According to the Apple website, Windows Media Player 9 or later needs to be installed on your Windows computer to use iTunes to convert WMA files to AAC format.
- The AAC files created by iTunes will be stored in the iTunes Media folder located in the My Music folder.
Warnings
- This process will only work for unprotected WMA files, or files without copy protection. Copy protected WMA files can only play in Windows Media Player.
Writer Bio
Stephen Ip has experience writing online professionally and his work can be seen in the Mac, iPhone and Digital Photography Channels. He works as a technical writer in the software industry. Ip received a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from the University of California, Irvine.