Details: File format summary

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Properties

Summary
Name	M4A Audio
Version
Other names
Identifiers	MIME: audio/mp4 PUID: fmt/2094
Family
Classification	Audio
Disclosure
Description	M4A is an audio format based on the MPEG-4 Part 14 file format (ISO/IEC 14496-14), using the lossy AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) codec for audio encoding. It shares the same underlying container structure as MPEG-4 video files, and shares the .m4a file extension with ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) files, from which it is distinguished by its use of lossy rather than lossless compression. The format was introduced by Apple and is commonly associated with the iTunes ecosystem.
Orientation
Byte order
Related file formats	Has lower priority than Apple Lossless Audio Codec Has priority over MPEG-4 Media File
Technical Environment
Released
Supported until
Format Risk
Developed by	None.
Supported by	None.
Source	Preservica / Preservica
Source date	09 Jun 2026
Source description
Last updated	09 Jun 2026
Note