For Apple Music on iPhone, choose a lower-quality, lossy setting when saving data and storage matters most; choose Lossless when preserving the audio source matters more. Hi-Res Lossless goes further in resolution, but it uses more data and space and requires an external DAC for iPhone playback above 48 kHz. A higher resolution is not a guarantee that you will hear better sound.
What do AAC and ALAC mean?
AAC is a lossy format: compression discards some audio data to make files smaller. ALAC, or Apple Lossless Audio Codec, preserves the original audio data. Apple Music offers ALAC in its Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless tiers.
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Lossless describes whether audio data is preserved; it does not mean every listener will hear an improvement. Apple notes that audibility can depend on the song and the headphones, speakers, or music device used. Apple’s guidance on converting music files also explains that converting a lossy file to an uncompressed format cannot restore data discarded during compression.
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| Setting | What it preserves | Data and storage | Playback considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lossy quality, such as AAC | Some audio data is discarded during compression. | Apple describes compressed formats as much smaller than uncompressed ones, making this the practical direction when conserving data or storage. | A practical choice for everyday listening, including wireless playback. A difference from lossless is not guaranteed to be audible. |
| Lossless (ALAC) | Preserves the original data. | Uses more network data and device storage than lower-quality settings. Apple’s iPhone Lossless setting reaches up to 24-bit/48 kHz. | For lossless playback, Apple lists wired headphones, receivers, powered speakers, and built-in speakers. Bluetooth is not lossless for the AirPods and Beats wireless headphone connection Apple describes. |
| Hi-Res Lossless (ALAC) | Preserves the original data, at higher supported resolutions. | Uses more data and storage than lower-resolution options. Apple’s iPhone setting reaches up to 24-bit/192 kHz. | For iPhone playback above 48 kHz, Apple says an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is required. Bluetooth is not lossless for the wireless headphone connection Apple describes. |
The figures are format limits, not measures of audible quality. Apple’s Apple Music ALAC catalog spans 16-bit/44.1 kHz to 24-bit/192 kHz, but the resolution delivered for a track depends on its availability, network conditions, and connected playback equipment. Apple says lossless streaming consumes significantly more network data and downloads use significantly more device space; higher resolutions use more. It does not provide a general file-size-per-song or per-hour estimate for these settings.
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- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Does Hi-Res Lossless sound better than Lossless?
Not necessarily in a way you can hear. Hi-Res Lossless supports a higher maximum resolution than the standard Lossless setting, but a larger number does not establish a universal audible benefit. Apple says you may not hear a difference between compressed and uncompressed audio; the result can depend on the music and the listening equipment.
Choose Hi-Res Lossless if you specifically want the higher-resolution version and have a playback chain that supports it. If you want lossless playback without adding equipment for rates above 48 kHz, the iPhone’s standard Lossless ceiling is 24-bit/48 kHz.
Rank #2
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with Lightning Connector also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a Lightning connector and support iOS 10 or later, including iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone. Also works with iPad models with iPadOS.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
What headphones or equipment work with iPhone lossless audio?
Apple says Bluetooth connections are not lossless for the AirPods and Beats wireless headphone path it describes. For lossless playback, Apple lists wired headphones, receivers, powered speakers, and iPhone’s built-in speakers. The connection matters: selecting a lossless download does not make a Bluetooth connection lossless.
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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.
- 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.*
How to set Apple Music audio quality on iPhone
- Open Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality.
- Turn on Lossless Audio.
- Choose the quality you want separately for streaming and downloads. Consider lower settings for mobile streaming or limited storage, and reserve higher settings for the situations where you want them.
If you already downloaded songs before enabling Lossless Audio, delete those downloads and download them again to get lossless versions. Lossless availability in Apple Music varies by country or region.
Does changing an audio file to WAV make it sound better?
No. Converting a lossy AAC file to WAV or another uncompressed format can make the file larger, but it cannot recover audio data removed by lossy compression. Use a lossless source if you need its original data; changing the extension or format of an already-compressed copy does not recreate it.
Rank #4
- 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.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- 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.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- 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.*
Is this the same as choosing a Voice Memos recording format?
No. These settings concern Apple Music playback and downloads, not how Voice Memos records or exports audio. Apple’s iOS 26-era guidance describes exporting recordings to Files, including an Editable option for QuickTime Audio. Apple also describes `.qta` for audio-only apps such as Voice Memos in its WWDC25 session; that version-specific detail should not be taken to mean every iPhone recording or export uses the same format.
Quick Recap
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