FLAC to ALAC - Full Guide to Converting Lossless Audio for Apple

Got a collection of high-quality FLAC files but run into issues playing them on your Apple gear? You are not alone. While FLAC and ALAC both deliver lossless audio, only one works seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem. Turning FLAC to ALAC keeps your sound intact while making your music library more flexible and device-friendly. If you are aiming for top-tier audio without the compatibility headaches, this is a move worth making. In this guide, we will show you exactly why the switch matters and how to do it right without losing a single note.

Part 1: FLAC vs ALAC - Why You Should Convert FLAC to ALAC

Before you proceed with converting FLAC to ALAC, you need first to understand what these formats are all about. Here is the information that highlights what they are capable of and why you need to convert it to ALAC format.

What is FLAC?

FLAC is an abbreviation for Free Lossless Audio Codec. It does not remove information from audio files, thus leaving the original sound quality. This format is freely licensed, has extensive cross-platform support and is common among audiophiles to archive or play in high fidelity. Nevertheless, there is a point at which Apple software and devices do not support FLAC natively, which hampers its usability in some environments.

What is ALAC?

ALAC, or Apple Lossless Audio Codec, is the answer to FLAC. Like FLAC, it preserves full audio quality while reducing file size. The key difference is that ALAC is designed to work perfectly with Apple devices and applications, including iTunes, iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It offers the same audio performance but with better integration into the Apple ecosystem.

Which is Better: FLAC vs ALAC?

In the FLAC vs ALAC comparison, neither format is technically better in terms of audio quality; they are both lossless. The real difference lies in compatibility. FLAC is better for open systems like Android or Windows, while ALAC is ideal for Apple users. If you use iTunes or sync music to your iPhone, converting FLAC to ALAC is the smarter choice for seamless playback without quality loss.

Part 2: How to Alter FLAC to ALAC Without Quality Loss

In case you prefer to convert FLAC to ALAC and preserve the sound quality intact, it is largely a different story when you employ a reliable converter, such as AVAide Video Converter. This software will enable you to retain or replace the original audio codec with a new codec that will be compatible with Apple devices. It promises that, once the conversion is done, the audio will be loss-free, and it will have all the details of your original track.

The quality of the audio can also increase the bitrate and the sampling rate, which can further enhance the clarity of your music. Offering support, it is ideal to convert a number of FLAC files to ALAC with little efficiency and speed, which is satisfactory to create a high-quality Apple-compatible library.

Step 1Download the video converter on your PC by ticking the download button we have available. Follow the installation process, and click the Start button to launch the app and start using it.

Step 2Tick the + button, or you can drag and drop multiple FLAC video files on the converter if you want to convert them to ALAC simultaneously.

Step 3Change the Convert to format to ALAC by clicking the drop-down button. Next, choose the ALAC settings you want to use that are available on the app.

Step 4To start the conversion, click the Convert All button. This app is the best tool for conversion, and if you need to convert WAV to AAC on Mac, you can also use it.

Part 3: How to Convert FLAC to ALAC with iTunes

While iTunes does not support FLAC files directly, you can still use it as a FLAC to ALAC converter with a simple three-step process. Here is how to do it without losing audio quality:

Step 1Convert the FLAC format into a more suitable format that iTunes supports, like MP4, using third-party software like the tool we mentioned earlier.

Step 2After converting it, open iTunes and import it into the music library. Go to the Edit > Preferences > Import Settings > Import Using and choose the Apple Lossless Encoder, and click OK to save the changes.

Step 3Right-click the MP4 file in the library and click the Create Apple Lossless Version when it appears on your screen. Wait for a brief moment since it takes time for the processing to end.

Part 4: How to Convert FLAC to ALAC with FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a strong, open-source, command-line-based utility that can help process audio and video files. It can use nearly any media format, and developers, editors, and audiophiles rely on its flexibility and speed. With FFmpeg, videos and audio can be edited, resized, reformatted, and even ripped, whether it is converting formats, compressing, splitting into segments, or even dialing down the quality, this program can easily do it all. If you want to convert from FLAC to ALAC, FFmpeg makes it easy with a single line of code. Here is how to do it:

Step 1Download FFmpeg from the official website. Follow the installation guide for your system and make sure FFmpeg is added to your PATH so you can run it from the command line or terminal.

Step 2Open Command Prompt or Terminal. Navigate to the folder where your FLAC file is located using the cd command. To convert the format of FLAC to ALAC output, use this code:

ffmpeg -i input.flac -c:a alac output.m4a

Step 3Change the input.flac with the path where the file you want to convert is, and change the output.m4a with the file name you want to use. FFmpeg can also extract audio from video, making it a great all-in-one tool for managing multimedia libraries.

By Jane Pineda on Jul 09, 2025