How to Convert Video to MP3 on iPhone (No Third-Party App Needed)
Need to extract audio from a video on your iPhone? Whether you’re making a podcast snippet, saving a music clip, or just want the sound from a video file, you don’t need any extra apps to do it. Thanks to the built-in Shortcuts app, you can convert videos to MP3 (or M4A) straight from your iPhone.
Use the Shortcuts App to Convert Video to Audio
This method uses a custom shortcut that grabs a video file, extracts the audio, and saves it to your iPhone.
Create the Shortcut:
- Open the Shortcuts app. (Download it from the App Store if it’s not already installed.)
- Tap the + (Add Shortcut) icon.
- Tap Add Action.
- Search and select Get File.
- Tap the arrow and enable Show Document Picker if you want to choose files from iCloud or On My iPhone.
- Tap +, search for Encode Media, and add it.
- Tap the action box, then enable Audio Only.
- Tap + again, search for Save File, and add it.
- Tap Next, name your shortcut something like Video to MP3, then tap Done.
Run the Shortcut to Convert a Video
- Open Shortcuts and tap Video to MP3.
- Select the video file you want to convert (from Files or iCloud).
- Let it process—then choose where to save the audio file.
🔊 The output format is typically M4A, which is compatible with most players and editors. If you specifically need MP3, use an app like Media Converter for format switching.
Want Simpler? Try These Free Apps
If you’d rather not use Shortcuts, these apps from the App Store make conversion even easier:
- Media Converter – Fast, simple, and supports MP3, WAV, AAC, and more.
- Video to Audio – Basic interface, great for quick audio pulls.
- iConv Video Converter – Handles many formats and integrates well with Files.
- File Converter – Does audio, video, PDF, and image conversions.
Just install, import a video, and tap to convert—no setup needed.
Bonus: Convert Using iTunes on a Computer
If you have a PC or Mac:
- Add your video to iTunes (or Music app on Mac).
- Right-click the video > Convert > Create MP3 Version.
- The new MP3 will show up in your iTunes/Music library.