How to Convert AIFF to AAC

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   iTunes/Apple Music on Mac (simplest for iTunes users)

   Select the AIFF tracks in your Music library. File → Convert → Create AAC Version. Music creates a 256 kbps AAC copy (the 'iTunes Plus' standard) with all metadata intact. This is the simplest method if your AIFF files are already in the Music library. To add AIFF files first: File → Add to Library → select the files.

   Go to converter
2. 2

   FFmpeg with libfdk_aac or native AAC encoder

   Best quality AAC: `ffmpeg -i input.aiff -c:a libfdk_aac -b:a 256k output.m4a`. If libfdk_aac is not available (most package manager FFmpeg builds don't include it due to licensing): `ffmpeg -i input.aiff -c:a aac -b:a 256k output.m4a`. The native AAC encoder is good; libfdk_aac is slightly better at lower bitrates. For VBR: `ffmpeg -i input.aiff -c:a libfdk_aac -vbr 5 output.m4a` (VBR 1–5, 5 = highest quality).

3. 3

   VLC (GUI, no command line)

   VLC → Media → Convert/Save → add AIFF file → Convert/Save → set profile to 'Audio - AAC (MP4)' → click the wrench to set bitrate (256 kbps recommended). Set the output filename with .m4a extension. Click Start. VLC's AAC encoder is functional but the quality is slightly lower than FFmpeg's native encoder or Apple's encoder for complex content.

4. 4

   Permute 3 (Mac, drag-and-drop simplicity)

   Permute 3 is a Mac app (App Store or direct purchase). Drag AIFF files onto Permute. Select M4A/AAC as the output format and set bitrate to 256 kbps. Click the play button. Permute uses Apple's CoreAudio AAC encoder — the same one used by Apple Music — which is the best AAC encoder on macOS. All metadata is preserved.