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To enable Lossless Audio, open Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality, turn on Lossless Audio, then choose a quality for streaming and downloads. The setting does not make Bluetooth playback lossless, and the quality choices can affect mobile data use and storage.
Turn on Lossless Audio and choose a quality
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps, then Music.
- Tap Audio Quality.
- Turn on Lossless Audio.
- Choose a quality for cellular streaming, Wi-Fi streaming, and downloads. Select Lossless or Hi-Res Lossless for each use as desired.
Apple Music encodes lossless tracks using Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). The catalog’s stated range is 16-bit/44.1 kHz through 24-bit/192 kHz, but the available quality depends on the individual track and playback setup. See Apple’s iPhone instructions for playing lossless audio.
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Choose between Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless
| Setting | Maximum format | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Lossless | Up to 24-bit/48 kHz | Does not require an external DAC for iPhone playback at or below 48 kHz. |
| Hi-Res Lossless | Up to 24-bit/192 kHz | Playback above 48 kHz on iPhone requires an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC). |
These are format ceilings, not a guarantee that every song is available at the maximum resolution. Apple’s lossless audio guidance also notes that availability varies by country or region.
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Bluetooth headphones
Bluetooth connections are not lossless. Apple says AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and wireless Beats headphones use Apple’s AAC Bluetooth codec; enabling Lossless Audio does not change that Bluetooth limitation. See Apple’s explanation of lossless audio and supported connections.
#1 Best Overall
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
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- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
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- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Wired headphones, speakers, and built-in speakers
For Lossless playback, Apple lists wired connections to headphones, receivers, or powered speakers, as well as the iPhone’s built-in speakers. An external DAC is needed only when seeking sample rates above 48 kHz on iPhone; it is not a requirement for ordinary Lossless playback at up to 48 kHz.
Manage cellular data, Wi-Fi, and downloads
Lossless streaming uses significantly more data than lower-quality streaming, and Lossless downloads take significantly more device storage. Higher resolutions use more data. Apple does not give one universal file-size or data-use multiplier, since usage depends on the music and selected quality.
Rank #2
- Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
- Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to your ears
- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
If you have enabled cellular data for Music, the cellular quality options include None, High Efficiency, High Quality, Lossless, and Hi-Res Lossless. Apple warns that High Quality, Lossless, and Hi-Res Lossless use significantly more cellular data than High Efficiency, may incur carrier charges, and can take longer to start. You can keep cellular streaming lower while choosing higher quality for Wi-Fi streaming or downloads. Details are in Apple’s guide to adding music and listening offline.
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Turning on Lossless Audio does not replace music files already stored on your iPhone. To obtain Lossless versions of existing downloads, delete those downloads and download the tracks again from the Apple Music catalog, as Apple advises in its lossless audio support article.
Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Check whether a track is available in Lossless
Apple says a Lossless badge appears on album pages when music is available in Lossless. The Lossless icon on the Now Playing screen appears when Lossless Audio is enabled in settings. The badge identifies availability; it does not override the limits of your connection or playback equipment. See Apple’s iPhone guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
Rank #4
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
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