Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Apple Music uses more cellular data when you stream in Lossless or Hi-Res Lossless because those higher-resolution audio files contain more data than lower-quality streams. Apple says higher resolutions use more data, but does not publish a universal per-hour figure. The setting changes streamed audio quality—not the amount of data a downloaded track uses while you listen offline.
Why lossless streaming uses more data
Lossless audio is compressed without discarding the original audio data. Apple Music uses Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC); preserving more audio information means a larger stream than a lower-quality option, so more data must travel over your mobile connection during playback. Apple describes lossless streaming as consuming significantly more data and notes that higher resolutions use more.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Apple’s stated maximums are up to 24-bit/48 kHz for Lossless and up to 24-bit/192 kHz for Hi-Res Lossless. These are resolution limits, not promises that every track is available at the maximum. Apple’s support documentation does not give a universal amount of cellular data per hour, so a fixed GB-per-hour estimate would not be an Apple specification. See Apple’s explanation of lossless audio in Apple Music.
Recommended Free Tools
How to reduce cellular use without lowering every setting
On current iPhone software, Apple places the controls at Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality. The wording and layout may differ on older iOS versions.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.*
- Open Settings, then tap Apps > Music > Audio Quality.
- Turn on Lossless Audio if you want to use lossless quality where available.
- Choose a lower quality under Cellular Streaming to limit data used when streaming over mobile networks.
- Set Wi-Fi Streaming and Downloads separately. You can leave those at higher quality while using a lower cellular setting.
Apple documents these controls in its iPhone guide to playing lossless audio. The practical distinction is that cellular streaming spends mobile data as you listen, while downloads use data when transferred and then occupy device storage. Downloading lossless audio takes more storage than downloading lower-quality audio.
What the quality choices change
| Choice or setting | Resolution or behavior | Cellular data and storage |
|---|---|---|
| Lossless | Up to 24-bit/48 kHz | Uses more data than lower-quality streaming; lossless downloads take more storage. |
| Hi-Res Lossless | Up to 24-bit/192 kHz | Higher resolutions use more data; lossless downloads take more storage. |
| Cellular Streaming | Applies to playback over a mobile connection | Can be set lower independently of Wi-Fi streaming and downloads. |
| Wi-Fi Streaming and Downloads | Configured separately from cellular streaming | Wi-Fi streaming does not use cellular data while connected to Wi-Fi; downloaded files use device storage. |
Apple supports the resolution limits and the direction of the data and storage tradeoffs, but does not provide matching per-hour figures for these rows. The table therefore compares behavior rather than estimating a monthly bill.
Rank #2
- 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.*
Lossless settings do not make Bluetooth playback lossless
Even with Lossless selected in Apple Music, listening over Bluetooth through AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Beats uses Apple’s AAC Bluetooth codec; Bluetooth playback is not lossless. The lossless setting can still affect the stream fetched over cellular, so choosing it may increase mobile data use even when the final Bluetooth connection is not lossless.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →On iPhone, playback above 48 kHz requires an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC), according to Apple. A DAC is relevant only if you want to play higher-resolution audio through a suitable wired setup. It does not reduce cellular data consumption. Apple’s support guide explains the device requirement and connection details: Play lossless audio in Music on iPhone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Rank #4
- Automatically on, automatically connected
- Easy setup for all your Apple devices
- Quick access to Siri by saying “Hey Siri”
- Double-tap to play or skip forward
- New Apple H1 headphone chip delivers faster wireless connection to your devices
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.*
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.
