Sometimes you only want the sound from a screen recording: a voice note, a lecture you recorded, or a song from a video you made. Here's how to extract it on each device, for free.
M4A or MP3?
Apple's tools usually export M4A, not MP3. M4A sounds as good or better at the same size and plays almost everywhere. If you specifically need MP3 (for an old car stereo, for example), use VLC on a computer.
On iPhone: use the Shortcuts app
- Open Shortcuts and tap + to create a new shortcut.
- Add the action Select Photos (or Get Latest Screen Recordings, if available).
- Add Encode Media and turn on Audio Only.
- Add Save File.
- Run it and pick your screen recording.
You'll get an audio file (M4A) in the Files app.
On Mac: QuickTime
- Open the recording in QuickTime Player.
- Choose File > Export As > Audio Only.
- Save the M4A file.
On Windows, Mac, or Linux: VLC (for MP3)
- Open VLC and choose Media > Convert / Save (on Mac: File > Convert / Stream).
- Add your recording.
- Choose the Audio - MP3 profile.
- Choose a destination and start.
VLC is free and open source.
On Android
Some gallery and editor apps can export audio only. Otherwise, copy the recording to a computer and use VLC.
Online converters
They work, but you upload your recording to a third party. Don't use them for anything private. See what to check with online tools.
Make sure there's audio to extract
If the screen recording was silent, there's nothing to extract. Calls are never captured, and the microphone is off by default. Why screen recordings are silent.
Free tool: Video to MP3 pulls the audio out of any video or screen recording as MP3 or WAV, right in your browser.
Where MobileStudio fits
MobileStudio is about the video side: turning screen recordings of your app into polished demos on your phone. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
Can iPhone convert a video to MP3?
Not directly. Shortcuts gives you M4A. Use VLC on a computer for MP3.
Does converting to audio reduce quality?
Not noticeably at normal settings.
