iTunes and Apple Music Audio Formats Explained
Understand which audio formats iTunes and Apple Music use, accept, and export. Covers AAC, ALAC, MP3, and lossless streaming.
iTunes shaped how hundreds of millions of people think about audio formats. Apple Music continues that legacy. Understanding the formats involved helps you manage your library, share music, and maintain quality.
The Default Format: AAC in M4A
When you rip a CD in iTunes, import a file, or buy music from the iTunes Store, the result is AAC audio inside an M4A container. iTunes Plus quality -- the standard since 2009 -- is 256 kbps AAC.
AAC at 256 kbps sounds excellent. In listening tests, most people cannot distinguish 256 kbps AAC from uncompressed audio on typical consumer equipment.
Formats iTunes and Apple Music Accept
Both applications import:
Notably missing: FLAC. iTunes and the Music app do not import FLAC directly. To import FLAC into Apple Music, convert to ALAC first -- lossless quality is preserved, the format changes from FLAC to ALAC.
Apple Music Lossless Streaming
Apple Music added lossless audio in June 2021. Two tiers:
- Lossless: ALAC at 44.1 kHz / 16-bit (CD quality)
- Hi-Res Lossless: ALAC at up to 192 kHz / 24-bit
To enable: Settings > Music > Audio Quality > Lossless Audio. On iPhone and iPad, this requires a wired connection for the hi-res benefit -- Bluetooth cannot carry lossless audio due to bandwidth constraints.
Converting Formats in iTunes/Music App
1. Music > Settings > Files > Import Settings 2. Set Import Using to desired format (MP3, AAC, AIFF, WAV, Apple Lossless) 3. Set quality 4. Right-click a track > Create [Format] Version
DRM-Protected Files (.m4p)
Old iTunes purchases before 2009 used the .m4p extension -- AAC with FairPlay DRM. These files will not convert with any standard tool. Options:
Modern iTunes and Apple Music purchases are DRM-free AAC and convert without issues.
Best Practice for Apple Music Library Management
For a library that will outlast any subscription service: 1. Own your files -- buy music from Bandcamp or iTunes, not just stream 2. Keep FLAC masters on an external drive 3. Import ALAC versions into Apple Music library for lossless quality 4. Export MP3 copies at 256-320 kbps for universal device use 5. Never rely solely on iCloud Music Library -- keep local backups