If you have a Windows computer or just switch to Mac, you might have some music in Windows Media Audio format, say WMA, a common audio format in Windows. These WMA files are possibly purchased on the Zune Media center of Microsoft or other music sites which are friendly to Windows users. And due to some right protection or other reasons, WMA files are temporarily unavailable for play on Apple products including Macs and iOS devices like new iPad, iPhone and iPod. But don’t worry, here are some solutions to make WMA songs playable on Mac OS and iOS devices, and you can learn to play WMA on iPad.
Play Windows Media files on your Mac. You can find a large variety of free and paid Windows Media conversion apps in the Mac App Store. On your Mac, open the App Store. Do one of the following: To search for Windows Media Audio converters, type wma into the search box, and then press Return. To search for Windows Media Video converters. Wma player for mac free download - Free WMA Player, Free Mac Bluray Player, Mac Bluray Player, and many more programs. Do you looking for an app to play WMA music files on your phone? WMA is a common audio format in Windows which enjoys the equal popularity with MP3 files. Even though you can transfer WMA to iPhone, iPhone can't play WMA files in the Music app. That’s because WMA is not compatible with iOS devices and Mac for some right protection.
Part 1. How to Make It to Play WMA on iPad If You Have a Mac
WMA can't be transferred to iPad directly because both iTunes and iPad can't recognize WMA audio files. Don't worry, you can try dr.fone to add WMA audio files to your iPad for playback freely. This software will recognize your WMA audio files, remind you of converting them to MP3 files. You just need to confirm the conversion, and let the software do the rest for you. Here are other features of dr.fone you might be interested in.
- Transfer almost all audio files and videos in different format to iPad without incompatible issues.
- Transfer music, videos, photos and more between iPad and iPhone, iPad, iPod and Android phones without limitations.
- 1 click to backup media files from iPad to iTunes Library.
- 1 click to backup photos from iPad to Mac
- Copy selected songs, playlists, audiobooks, podcasts, videos, and photos from iPad to Mac.
Step 1: Download and launch the Mac dr.fone and connect your iPad to Mac
Just click the 'Free Download' button to get the program and install it on your Mac. After that, launch the program and connect your iPad with Mac. Then you can see the main interface like the image. Click the 'Music' tab on the left of the primary window, and you will see your iPad music list.
Step 2: Convert and transfer WMA songs to iPad
Click the 'Add' button on top of the primary window and find the WMA songs on the Mac, then import them to the program. Then the smart dr.fone for Mac would automatically convert WMA to MP3 or other iPad compatible formats and directly transfer to your new iPad.
Part 2. How to Make It to Play WMA on iPad If You're Using a Windows PC
Actually, iTunes for Windows has already support you to convert WMA to iTunes friendly format like MP3 directly. And once you can import your music into the iTunes software, it means you can also transfer WMA to iPad on the Windows computer. Here is how it works:
•Open iTunes and head up to the File menu, choose Add file to library and find the target songs in WMA to import. Then you will get this notice from iTunes:
•Click Convert then the iTunes will convert WMA to iTunes MP3 automatically.
•After the WMA to iTunes MP3 conversion, you can see the item in the iTunes music library. To play these songs on your new iPad, connect your iPad to the computer and sync the file to the iOS device as you used to do.
But if those WMA music are purchased from Zune, Nokia Ovi center or some other media centers, it’s very likely that the songs are DRM protected. If so, you have to make it DRM-free first, then convert these WMA to iPad MP3.
Related Articles & Tips
“I have transferred a bunch of WMA music to my iPhone but it can’t play it. Do you know how to play WMA on iPhone or the easy way to convert WMA?” -- A Question from Apple Support Communities
WMA is a common audio format in Windows which enjoys the equal popularity with MP3 files. Even though you can transfer WMA to iPhone, iPhone can't play WMA files in the Music app. That’s because WMA is not compatible with iOS devices and Mac for some right protection. So you can play your WMA on iPhone with 3rd-party apps or convert them to MP3 while transferring to iPhone.
- Method 1: How to Get WMA Play on iPhone in Music App
- Method 2: How to Play WMA on iPhone Using 3rd-Party Players
How to Get WMA Play on iPhone in Music App
Even though iPhone is a cool and portable device for playing music, it still supports quite a number of audio file types. The device cannot cater for Windows Media Audio (WMA) files as this format is being managed by Apple's biggest viral, Microsoft. You need a professional tool to convert from WMA format to the usual compatible iPhone formats. Most of these WMA files are secured by DRM and most converting tools that are free especially iTunes will fail to convert DRM protected WMA to iPhone, hence iMyFoneTunesMate is a great tool that should be considered.
1 Convert WMA While Transferring to iPhone (Time-Saving)
iMyFone TunesMate is an all-in-one iOS file manager which can convert or transfer WMA files to iPhone. It will automatically convert both DRM-protected and DRM free WMA files to formats that are supported by iPhone within a short period of time. Except WMA, TunesMate supports all other audio and video formats.
Advantages of TunesMate:
- Converting and transferring are done at the same time, which saves you much time. All the incompatible files will be automatically converted while transferring.
- Syncing iTunes/computer music to iPhone won’t cause any data loss.
- Extract music from iPhone, which supports both purchases and non-purchases.
- Sync iPhone with unlimited iTunes libraries without erasing.
- Manage Playlists: Smartly control your music library like to export, import, add, delete, edit, move music/playlists.
Steps to Transfer WMA to iPhone with Automatic Conversion
Step 1: Open the iMyFone TunesMate app and connect your iPhone to it.
Step 2: Go to “Music” tab from the top bar. Click “Add > Add File” and select the WMA files you want to transfer. Click “Open” to begin the process.
Please wait for it to finish. Then you can go to the “Music” app on your iPhone to check the song. Just click on it to make it play if you want.
Lots of famous review sites recommend iMyFone TunesMate to be the great alternative to iTunes, including getintopc.com, tricksworldzz.com, crunchytricks.com, etc.
2 Convert WMA and Sync to iPhone on iTunes (Time-Consuming)
iTunes helps to convert from WMA to MP3 format and sync the converted files to iPhone. But it’s not recommended as it will cost you much time.
Steps to Convert WMA Files to MP3 on iTunes
You need to add the WMA files to your iTunes library first. Then do as below.
Step 1: Open iTunes and go to “iTunes > Preferences” on Mac or “Edit > Preferences” on Windows.
![Play Play](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126391633/454591181.png)
Step 2: Tap General and then Import Settings.
Step 3: Click the box next to Import Using and choose MP3 Encoder. Then click OK to save the changes.
Step 4: On your music library, select the WMA songs you want to convert.
Step 5: Go to “File > Convert > Create MP3 Version”. Then the converted songs will be displayed next to the original WMA files.
Steps to Sync Converted MP3 to iPhone on iTunes
Wma Files Will Not Play
Step 6: Connect your iPhone to computer and click the device tab when detecting.
Step 7: Choose Music from the left sidebar.
Step 8: Check Sync Music and select the audio files you want to transfer.
Step 9: When done, click Apply to start the syncing process. It will take time to sync, wait for it to finish patiently.
- It cannot be done at one place and in a few clicks. In a way, it’s very complex if you’re not familiar with iTunes.
- Syncing files to iPhone will delete the existing files from iPhone. If you don’t make it right, all the media files will be erased from iPhone.
- It does not give you the opportunity to manage the music the way you like.
- You can’t preview and select the files to sync.
How to Play WMA on iPhone Using 3rd-Party Players
If you don’t convert WMA files to MP3 before transferring to iPhone, the only way to play WMA files on iPhone is using third-party player apps. Some audio player apps are compatible with lots of audio formats, including WMA.
But the disadvantage is that, you can’t manage or listen to all your songs and listen in one place. It’s would be a little annoyed for some users. If you mind, just convert WMA files to MP3 first.
The third-party players to play WMA include:
App To Play Wma Files On Mac Download
- VLC app
- AVPlayer, or AV Player HD
- Windows Media Player
- Music Orb