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Freedom251 › Blog › ALAC

Apple Music Lossless: What It Is, How to Set It Up, and What You Need

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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Apple Music Lossless uses Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) to preserve audio data, with catalog tracks ranging from 16-bit/44.1 kHz to 24-bit/192 kHz. In the app, the Lossless setting tops out at 24-bit/48 kHz; Hi-Res Lossless goes up to 24-bit/192 kHz. To hear either tier losslessly, use a supported wired or built-in playback path: Bluetooth connections are not lossless. Whether you need an external DAC depends on your device and the sample rate you want.

What Apple Music Lossless means

Apple encodes its lossless catalog in ALAC. The format compresses audio while preserving the original data; “lossless” describes that data preservation, not a guarantee that every listener will hear a difference. Apple’s technical documentation does not establish a universal audible benefit.

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Apple lists catalog resolutions from 16-bit/44.1 kHz, which it labels CD Quality, up to 24-bit/192 kHz. These describe audio formats, not a listening-test result. The selectable streaming and download quality settings have two ceilings:

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Apple Music setting Maximum resolution
Lossless 24-bit/48 kHz
Hi-Res Lossless 24-bit/192 kHz

These tiers and the catalog range are documented by Apple Support and Apple’s iPhone audio-quality guide.

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What you need for lossless playback

Use a supported wired or built-in audio path

Apple says Bluetooth connections are not lossless. AirPods and most wireless Beats headphones use Apple’s AAC Bluetooth codec, so they do not deliver Apple Music’s lossless stream as lossless audio. For lossless playback, connect compatible wired headphones, a receiver, or powered speakers, or use a supported built-in playback route such as a device’s speakers.

Check whether your device needs an external DAC

A digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) turns digital audio into a signal speakers or headphones can play. Apple says iPhone needs an external DAC for sample rates above 48 kHz. On Mac, 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models support native playback up to 96 kHz; other Macs need an external DAC above 48 kHz. Android and Windows requirements depend on the device, and Apple advises an external DAC for rates above 48 kHz where the computer or device requires one. Check the particular device and connection before buying an adapter; USB compatibility and supported sample rates vary.

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How to turn on Lossless Audio

Choose streaming and download quality separately. The setting controls what Apple Music streams or saves; it does not make an unsupported connection lossless.

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iPhone or iPad

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality.
  2. Turn on Lossless Audio.
  3. Choose a quality for streaming and another for downloads. On iPhone, use an external DAC for sample rates above 48 kHz.

Mac

  1. Open the Music app and choose Music > Settings > Playback.
  2. Enable lossless audio, then choose the streaming and download quality.
  3. For rates above 48 kHz, check your model’s capability: Apple documents native playback up to 96 kHz on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models; other Macs need an external DAC.

Android

  1. Open Apple Music and go to its settings.
  2. Choose Audio Quality and enable Lossless.
  3. Select streaming and download quality. Use a wired connection; whether you need a DAC above 48 kHz depends on the device.

Windows

  1. Open Apple Music settings and select Playback.
  2. Enable lossless audio and choose streaming and download quality.
  3. Use built-in speakers or a wired audio connection. Apple advises an external DAC above 48 kHz depending on the computer.

Apple’s lossless audio guidance covers these device requirements and settings. Its separate Windows instructions explain playback and download quality controls.

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HomePod and Apple TV 4K

Apple provides separate setup guidance for HomePod and Apple TV. Hi-Res Lossless on Apple TV is limited to Apple TV 4K (3rd generation or later); consult Apple’s current device-specific instructions before changing settings.

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Manage data use and downloads

Lossless streaming uses significantly more data than standard-quality streaming, and lossless downloads take significantly more storage. Higher resolutions use more data. If you have a limited cellular plan or device storage, set cellular streaming, Wi-Fi streaming, and download quality to match your needs rather than selecting the highest tier everywhere. Apple documents the data and storage trade-off in its lossless audio support page.

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If a song was already downloaded before you enabled Lossless, delete that download and download the song again to get the lossless version. Changing the setting alone does not replace an existing file.

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Lossless and Dolby Atmos are different features

Lossless describes audio encoding and data preservation; Dolby Atmos is a separate spatial-audio feature with its own settings and playback requirements. A Dolby Atmos badge does not mean a track is available in lossless quality. Look for the Lossless badge to identify lossless availability. Apple describes Dolby Atmos separately in its Apple Music Spatial Audio guidance.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

ALACApple MusicDACHi-Res Losslesslossless audio

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