Convert AIFF to WAV

Before you start

AIFF and WAV both store uncompressed PCM audio, so conversion usually preserves the underlying sound data while changing the container and metadata. The main practical reasons to convert are that a camera, voice recorder, editing app, or call tool expects WAV or handles it more reliably. Keep the original AIFF or AIF file until you have confirmed the new WAV opens correctly. Conversion can run locally on a desktop audio editor or a dedicated audio converter; a local tool avoids uploading private recordings to a service that has not been reviewed.

Step-by-step instructions

Use a desktop audio editor

• Open the file in an audio editor that supports both AIFF and WAV.
• Choose the file or export action for an imported AIFF clip.
• Select WAV as the output format.
• Set the format options only when the destination needs a specific setting; keeping the same sample rate and bit depth as the source is usually the safest default.
• Choose a new filename or output folder.
• Export and wait for the progress indicator to finish.

The export function is often labelled differently from the save function. Use the application's export, convert, or render path rather than substituting a file extension manually. Changing an extension does not alter the container and can make the file harder to open.

Use a command-line converter

If a media conversion tool is already installed, run it from the folder containing the source file. The command pattern is:

ffmpeg -i input.aiff output.wav

For an older AIF extension, replace the input filename accordingly. The command keeps the original untouched and writes a separate WAV file. AIFF may contain metadata such as markers, comments, or loop points; WAV supports some metadata but compatibility varies by software, so verify anything important after conversion.

Check the output

• Open the new WAV in a media player or audio editor.
• Play the beginning, middle, and end to confirm the expected duration and content.
• Compare the format details with the source using the file information panel in your audio tool.
• Confirm the file is not zero bytes and does not play silence where the original had sound.
• Review any markers, chapters, or metadata that your workflow requires.

WAV and AIFF are both widely used for uncompressed audio, but file size can become very large at high sample rates or with multichannel recordings. A short stereo track usually presents no issue; length, channel count, sample rate, and bit depth all affect the final size.

Common problems and next steps

If an app rejects the WAV, the likely cause is an unsupported sample rate, bit depth, or channel layout rather than the WAV container itself. Convert again with a lower-complexity setting only after checking the target device or software requirements. If the converted file is quieter, louder, clipped, or shortened, compare the source and output settings instead of applying extra processing blindly.

A corrupted or unreadable AIFF may need to be opened or repaired in an audio editor before conversion. If the source has a different extension but is reported as AIFF, inspect the file information panel rather than trusting the filename alone. For private recordings, use a local converter when possible and review a service's handling terms before uploading.