How to Convert Video to Audio on Desktop or Phone

Repurposing video content into audio-only formats is one of the most efficient ways to expand your reach without starting from scratch. By separating the audio from the video, you gain the flexibility to distribute your content across RSS feeds and music platforms with ease.

Whether you're looking to turn a YouTube archive into a podcast series, extract a specific sound bite for social media, or simply listen to a lecture on the go, the process is simpler than you might think. You don't need expensive software or technical expertise to do it.

In this guide, we'll walk you through multiple methods for extracting crisp, professional-quality audio from your video files, helping you transform visual content into engaging podcast episodes that your audience can enjoy anywhere, anytime.

Understanding the Conversion Process

When you turn video into audio, you're essentially isolating the sound component from a multimedia file that contains both visual and audio data. This process can happen in two ways:

Extracting the existing audio track directly from the video is like copying the sound file that's already embedded inside.

This method is faster (often taking just seconds) and preserves the original quality perfectly since you're simply pulling out what's already there. Most modern converters use extraction when the source video already contains audio in a podcast-friendly format like AAC or MP3.

Re-encoding means converting the audio into a different format altogether, which requires the software to decode and re-compress the sound data.

This takes longer but gives you control over the output; you can change formats (like converting AAC to MP3), adjust bitrate, or enhance audio quality. You'll typically re-encode when you need a specific format for compatibility or want to reduce file size.

Several other technical factors impact your final result:

• Audio quality depends on the source video's sound recording.

• Compression determines file size; highly compressed formats like MP3 are smaller but may sacrifice some fidelity.

• Bitrate (measured in kbps) directly influences quality and size.

We'll explore these technical considerations in more detail after covering the conversion tools and methods available to you.

Tool Categories: Your Options

Converting video to audio doesn't require a single "right" tool. You have multiple approaches depending on your workflow, technical comfort level, and specific needs Some methods prioritize speed and convenience, while others offer greater control over audio quality and format options.

Below, we'll explore the main categories of conversion tools available to podcasters, from simple built-in options already on your computer to specialized software and even online converters, helping you identify which approach works best for your situation.

Desktop Software Solutions

Desktop software remains the most popular choice for podcasters, offering a balance of power, reliability, and offline functionality.

Unlike online converters, desktop applications don't impose file size limits, protect your privacy by keeping files local, and typically provide faster processing speeds.

Free options dominate this category. VLC Media Player is a versatile multimedia tool that handles conversions effortlessly. Audacity offers robust audio editing capabilities alongside conversion features.

FFmpeg, while command-line based, provides unmatched flexibility for tech-savvy users.

Paid alternatives like Adobe Audition and Camtasia offer premium features, advanced audio processing, and streamlined workflows, though most podcasters find free options more than sufficient.

The main advantage of desktop software is control; you can fine-tune quality settings, batch process multiple files, and work without internet connectivity. The tradeoff? You'll need to download and install the software, which requires some storage space and initial setup time.

Below, we'll walk through step-by-step instructions for the three most popular free options: Audacity, QuickTime, and VLC.

Here’s how you can use Audacity to convert your video files: 

• Make sure you have Audacity downloaded and installed.

• Open Audacity and head to “File” then “Open” in the top left menu. Select the video you’d like to convert, and let it load.

• Once your video is uploaded, you can then click “File” again, and choose “Export”. You’ll see a dropdown menu where you can select the “File Format”, choose “MP3”, then “Save”. 

If you prefer VLC, here’s how to convert your video files: 

• Make sure you have the VLC Media Player installed on your device.

• Open the Player and click “ Media” in the top menu. On the dropdown you can choose “Convert/Save”

• Here you can choose  “Add”, and select the video file you want to upload and convert. 

• There will be a button to click: “Convert/Save”. Then you can select “Profile”, and “Settings”, and you’ll want to click “audio - MP3”. 

• Now you can select where to save the file as an MP3 file, from there you’ll click the button “Start”.

While Mac users can just as easily use Audacity and VLC, many find QuickTime to be a go-to solution since it comes pre-installed on every Mac.

• Open up QuickTime

• In QuickTime, in the top left menu, select “File” and then “Open File” to select the video you want to convert.

• When the video file is up and loaded, select “File” again, and scroll down to “Export As”, and “Audio Only”.

• A pop-up window will prompt you to name the file, then by clicking “Save” you will be able to select the audio format you prefer. 

As you can tell, it's fairly straightforward, but sometimes you may need to convert on the go. Let’s see how you can do this on a phone.

Mobile Apps

While desktop solutions offer the most control, mobile apps provide unmatched convenience for converting on the go. Whether you're traveling, working remotely, or simply prefer handling everything from your phone, mobile converters can get the job done quickly.

iOS users have several reliable options, including Media Converter - video to mp3, which offers straightforward conversion with minimal fuss.

Android users often turn to the Video to MP3 app for its simple interface and reliable performance. Cross-platform options like CapCut work on both iOS and Android, offering conversion alongside basic editing features.

Most mobile apps follow a similar workflow: upload your video file, select your preferred output format (typically MP3 for podcasts), and export.

However, keep in mind that mobile devices have limited storage compared to computers (RIP SD card slots), and processing large video files can drain your battery quickly.

Just remember to transfer your files to a desktop and save them in a secure location for long-term storage and backup.

Online Converters

Online converters offer the ultimate convenience. No software installation, no system requirements, and instant access from any device with a browser. Simply upload your video file, select your desired audio format, and download the converted file within minutes.

The appeal is clear: accessibility from anywhere, whether you're on a work computer, borrowed laptop, or tablet. There's no learning curve, no setup time, and no storage space consumed on your device.

However, these benefits come with tradeoffs. File size limits often restrict uploads to 100MB-2GB, problematic for lengthy podcast recordings. Privacy concerns arise since you're uploading potentially sensitive content to third-party servers.

Internet dependency means slow connections can bottleneck the process, and you're out of luck without WiFi.

Popular online converter options exist, though we won't list specific tools here since these services frequently come and go, with features and reliability changing over time.

DAWs and Other Dedicated Tools

If you're already using professional software for podcast production, you likely have conversion capabilities built right in.

Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Adobe Audition, Logic Pro, and Reaper can import video files and export audio-only versions within your existing workflow.

Video editing platforms such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve excel at extracting audio tracks, giving you the added benefit of visual waveform editing before export.

Recording platforms like Descript and SquadCast allow you to record video sessions and export audio-only versions with a single click, which is ideal for interview-based podcasts.

Specialized podcast tools like Riverside and Zencastr capture separate audio and video tracks from the start, eliminating the need for conversion altogether.

While these tools often require subscriptions, their integrated workflows can save significant time if you're regularly producing podcast content from video sources.

Using Built-in System Tools

For technically inclined podcasters, built-in system tools offer powerful conversion capabilities without installing third-party software.

These command-line solutions are typically preferred by anyone comfortable working with terminals and scripting, offering precise control over encoding parameters and batch processing capabilities.

Windows users can leverage PowerShell scripts or Windows Media Player for basic conversions, though functionality is somewhat limited compared to dedicated software.

Mac users have QuickTime as a GUI option (covered earlier), but can also access FFmpeg through Terminal for advanced conversions with granular control over codecs and bitrates.

Linux users have the most robust command-line tools at their disposal, with FFmpeg being the gold standard. A simple terminal command can convert entire folders of video files to audio with custom quality settings in seconds.

While these methods involve a steeper learning curve, they're ideal for automating repetitive conversion tasks or when you need maximum control over technical specifications.

Choosing the Right Output Format

Selecting the right audio format impacts your podcast's quality, file size, and compatibility across listening platforms. Understanding your options ensures your episodes sound great without unnecessary technical headaches.

Common video source formats you might be converting from include:

• MP4: The most universal video format, widely compatible across all platforms and devices.

• MOV: Apple's native video format, commonly used by iPhone users and QuickTime.

• AVI: Legacy Windows format, still used but less common in modern workflows.

• MKV: High-quality container format that supports multiple audio tracks and subtitles.

• WMV: Windows Media Video, primarily used on Microsoft platforms.

• WEBM: Web-optimized format often used for online video content.

• FLV: Flash Video, older format occasionally encountered in archived content.

The good news? Most conversion tools handle all these formats seamlessly, so your source video type rarely matters. Audio output formats require more consideration:

• MP3: The podcast industry standard. Highly compatible, reasonably compressed, and supported by every podcast platform and player.

• AAC/M4A: Offers slightly better quality than MP3 at the same file size but has marginally less universal support.

• WAV: Provides uncompressed, pristine audio but creates massive files impractical for distribution.

• FLAC and ALAC: Offer lossless compression for archival purposes.

• OGG: Open-source and efficient but poorly supported by Apple devices.

For podcasting, stick with MP3. It balances quality, file size, and compatibility perfectly, and most listeners won't notice any difference between formats when using consumer-grade earbuds or speakers.

Beyond format selection, you'll also need to choose your bitrate settings, which is the amount of data processed per second of audio, measured in kilobits per second (kbps).

For spoken-word podcasts, 128 kbps is usually sufficient, while music-heavy content typically requires 256 kbps or 320 kbps to maintain depth.

Always check your distribution platform’s requirements; most modern RSS hosts prefer MP3 or M4A, while internal archival tools might prioritize the uncompressed clarity of ALAC or WAV.

Recording Workflow: Conversion vs Separate Tracks

This depends on your workflow and whether you plan to publish both video and audio versions of your content.

If you're only creating a podcast, recording audio-only from the start is more efficient. You'll avoid unnecessary file size and conversion steps. However, if you're recording video interviews or webinars and want to repurpose them as podcast episodes, converting is perfectly fine.

For maximum flexibility, many recording platforms let you capture separate audio and video tracks simultaneously.

This approach gives you the best of both worlds: a video file for YouTube or social media, and a dedicated audio track for your podcast feed, without quality loss from conversion.

When you make primary edits for clarity, such as cutting clips or moving sections, it's best to work on one combined track so everything stays in sync. However, you can separate these tracks in your editing software for final touches, allowing you to export video or audio versions independently.

Some software, like Descript, allows you to create multiple "compositions" under one project. You can save the original file, then create separate compositions for audio-only or video formats.

This means you can make format-specific edits while retaining your master recording untouched.

Start Converting Your Videos Today

Turning video into audio is a straightforward process that takes just minutes, whether you're repurposing old content into podcast episodes or extracting clips for highlights.

You now have multiple tools and methods at your disposal: desktop software, online converters, mobile apps, and built-in system options. Don't hesitate to explore your existing editing software too, as it likely includes audio-only export capabilities you haven't discovered yet.