What is Apple Music lossless audio? How to stream lossless audio from Apple Music? What device can play Apple Music lossless audio? How to download Apple Music to lossless audio files? Check out this post, you will get the answers!
Apple Music Lossless Audio is a game-changer for audiophiles, offering studio-quality sound without extra costs. Since its 2021 launch, it has redefined how users experience music streaming. But what exactly is lossless audio? How does Apple deliver it, and how to stream lossless audio from Apple Music? Is it possible to listen to high-quality Apple Music tracks after subscription ends? Keep reading, you will find the answers and solutions!
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What Is Apple Music Lossless Audio?
Apple Music Lossless Audio is a high-fidelity streaming tier that preserves every detail of original recordings. Unlike standard compressed formats (e.g., MP3, AAC), lossless audio uses ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) to deliver bit-for-bit accuracy.
Key Features:
Lossless Tier: Up to 24-bit/48 kHz resolution.
Hi-Res Lossless: Up to 24-bit/192 kHz for audiophile-grade sound.
No Extra Cost: Included with all Apple Music subscriptions.
20+ Million Tracks: Most of Apple Music's catalog supports lossless.
Why It Matters: Lossless audio eliminates compression artifacts, offering richer bass, clearer vocals, and nuanced instrumentals.
How Does Apple Music Lossless Work?
Apple Music Lossless relies on ALAC, an open-source codec that compresses files without losing data. Let's take a look at below chart.
| Format | Bit Depth | Sample Rate | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard AAC | 16-bit | 44.1 kHz | Compressed (256 kbps) |
| Lossless (ALAC) | 24-bit | 48 kHz | CD-quality |
| Hi-Res Lossless | 24-bit | 192 kHz | Studio-quality |
Technical Requirements:
Internet Speed: Minimum 1.5 Mbps for Lossless, 4 Mbps for Hi-Res.
Storage: Lossless tracks are 2-5x larger than AAC files.
Keywords: ALAC codec, Hi-Res Lossless, sample rate
How to Get Lossless Audio in Apple Music?
On iPhone, iPad:
Step 1. OApen "Settings" > "Music" > "Audio Quality".
Step 2. Toggle on "Lossless Audio".
Step 3. Choose "Lossless" option.
On Android:
Step 1. Open Apple Music app on your Android.
Step 2. Tap three dots at the upper right corner and select "Settings".
Step 3. Tap "Audio Quality", and then enable "Lossless Audio" option.
On Mac:
Step 1. Launch Music app and go to "Music" > "Preferences..."
Step 2. In the pop-up window, tap "Playback" tab and tick the check box front of "Lossless audio".
Step 3. Select "Lossless" option in the "Streaming" and "Download" section.
What Devices Support Apple Music Lossless Audio?
Note that the AirPods Bluetooth headphones don't support streaming Lossless Audio in Apple Music. To stream lossless audio from Apple Music, you can use the following compatible devices:
- iPhone
- iPad
- Mac
- Apple TV 4K and above
- CarPlay (wired)
- HomePod, HomePod mini (settings tutorial)
- AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) with Vision Pro
Pros and Cons of Apple Music Lossless
Pros:
Studio-Quality Sound: Perfect for classical, jazz, and audiophiles.
No Extra Fees: Bundled with Apple Music's $10.99/month plan.
Wide Compatibility: Works on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows.
Massive Catalog: Over 20 million tracks optimized for lossless.
Cons:
No Bluetooth Support: AirPods Max/Pro can't stream lossless.
Large File Sizes: Hi-Res tracks consume ~145 MB per song.
Hardware Costs: DACs and wired gear add expense.
FAQs About Apple Music Lossless Audio
Q1. Is Apple Music Lossless worth it?
Yes, if you own high-end headphones or speakers. Casual listeners may not notice the difference.
Q2. Can AirPods Pro play lossless audio?
Q3. How much data does Apple Music lossless audio use?
Q4. Can I download lossless music from Apple Music?
Bonus: Download Apple Music to Lossless Audio Files (No DRM)
When your subscription ends, you will no longer access the music library and listen to Apple Music in lossless audio. All your downloaded Apple Music tracks will be removed from your devices. As Apple Music used FairPlay DRM to encrypted its streaming music content. Therefore, you can utilize a third-party tool to download Apple Music as local audio files.
UkeySoft Apple Music Converter is a powerful desktop software that can help you easily remove DRM protection and download Apple Music songs, playlists, albums to computer drive with lossless audio quality. It can download and convert Apple Music tracks to plain MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, WAV, and AIFF audio formats, making them playable on any device without restrictions. Even if you cancel your subscription, you still can enjoy these music tracks!
UkeySoft Apple Music Converter
- Unlock DRM protection from Apple Music library.
- Convert Apple Music songs to MP3, AAC, FLAC, M4A, WAV, AIFF.
- Preserve high-quality audio during the conversion process.
- Convert entire Apple Music playlists or albums in bulk.
- Built-in Apple Music web player, up to 10X faster speed.
- Save Apple Music with original music quality and ID3 tags.
- Listen to Apple Music songs offline permanently and locally.
Windows 7 or later on 64bit required
Mac OS X 10.11 or higher
Step-by-step: How to Download Apple Music to MP3?
Step 1. Log In Your Apple Music Account
Download and open the UkeySoft Apple Music converter on computer, and log in to your Apple ID.
Step 2. Set MP3 as Output Format
Go to the settings window by clicking the "Gear" icon. You can adjust settings for the output quality, output format (choose MP3), output file name and more
Step 3. Select Apple Music Songs
Browse the Apple Music library to find your favorite new Apple Music songs, playlists or artists. Choose any one and click red "+" button in the right side.
In the converting list, confirm the selected Apple Music songs you want to download to MP3.
Step 4. Start to Download Apple Music to MP3
Now, hit on the "Convert" button to start to download and convert Apple Music songs to MP3 files.
After conversion, click the "Clock" icon at the upper right corner, and tap "Blue Folder" icon next to the title. Then you can get Apple Music MP3 files.
Conclusion
To sum up, Apple Music Lossless Audio is a feature that allows users to experience music without any loss of quality due to compression. It uses Apple's proprietary ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) to maintain high-quality sound, offering options from CD-quality audio (16-bit/44.1 kHz) to high-resolution (up to 24-bit/192 kHz). It’s available at no extra cost for subscribers, enhancing the audio experience for users with compatible devices. But if you want to listen to lossless Apple Music offline on any device and keep them permanently, tools like UkeySoft Apple Music Converter offer the ability to download and convert Apple Music tracks to MP3, M4A, FLAC, AAC, WAV, AIFF with lossless audio quality. Give it a try now!
