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How to Convert Apple Music to FLAC Losslessly

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By Delilah Rene

Updated on: Sept 20, 2024

Category: Apple Music Tips

Apple Music was launched in 2015, following Apple's acquisition of Beats, to replace that company's embryonic Beats Music service. Apple Music is a high-end, all-encompassing music streaming service. Over 100 million music and radio programs are available to stream. As the platform grows, it is now available as the pre-installed software on all Apple devices. Apple Music may also be downloaded for Android, Sonos, Samsung TV, and other devices, or you can access it directly from your browser by visiting the official website.

Much like other streaming services, you can become a member of Apple Music for $9.99 per month. It's similar to Spotify and YouTube Music, as well as Tidal and Deezer's low-resolution plans. Unfortunately, a paid subscription is required to access Apple Music's library. Apple Music does not offer a free tier with ads to subscribers at this time. That said, whether you want to stream songs or play them offline, you'll need to subscribe. So to address the issues that have arisen, we've written an article that explains how to bypass DRM restrictions and download Apple Music in FLAC format with lossless sound quality.

convert apple music to flac

Part 1: What is FLAC Format?

1.1 What is a FLAC File?

FLAC was developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation and, like the MP3 format, is an encoding format for digital audio. FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec. As the name suggests, this format is licensed royalty-free and open format.

One of the major advantages of this format is its high sound quality. Due to the unique algorithm technique used for compression, FLAC digital audio is usually reduced to 50% to 70% of the original size. Despite being half the size of a CD, the sound quality is similar to a CD's flawless sound quality. FLAC files are known to be about the same price as MP3 files in online stores. FLAC is a fantastic choice if you require an audio file that takes up a small amount of memory but has good sound quality.

1.2 How Can I Open a FLAC File?

Many common audio players, such as VLC, Winamp, and Foobar2000, can play FLAC files. VLC player, on the other hand, can support a variety of other common and unique audio formats, making it a preferable alternative. However, you can double-click a FLAC file to see whether there is a default application that will open it without any issues.

If it doesn't open, you'll need to install one of the above players or install a plugin or extension to your existing player. For example, to play FLAC files in Windows Media Player, you need a codec pack, such as Xiph's OpenCodec plug-in. If you want to play FLAC files on iTunes on your MacBook, then you need to install a free Fluke tool. Alternatively, if you need to play on iOS devices, you can choose MediaConnect, Capriccio, etc. There are more options for Android phones, all Android players from 3.1 and up support FLAC format.

1.3 Why Convert Apple Music to FLAC?

First of all, Apple Music exists in a special AAC format, which cannot be edited or transferred. But why did we choose to convert it to FLAC format instead of other common formats, like MP3? It's up to you to decide if this format meets your needs.

The advantages of the FLAC format are as follows:

  1. FLAC does not produce any loss of information in the audio data.
  2. FLAC files are usually only half the size of a directly ripped CD.
  3. Good sound quality, no distorted or muffled sound will be heard.
  4. Compatible with dozens of consumer electronic devices on the market.

Part 2: How to Download FLAC Files from Apple Music?

Apple Inc. owns both iTunes and Apple Music, as you may know. However, these are two distinct services. Apple's iTunes software includes a media player, a media library, online radio, and mobile device management. In iTunes, you have the option of purchasing a single favorite music. On the other hand, Apple Music is a music streaming service. A paid subscription allows users access to the Apple Music library's content. Once you cancel your subscription and your membership expires, you won't be able to access those songs, either from the list or download.  If you don't renew your membership for an extended length of time, your account's list will be emptied as well.

The most straightforward way to solve the problem of missing songs is to download your favorite songs to a local folder on your computer with a reliable third-party tool during your membership period. TunePat Apple Music Converter is the best choice for you. This converter can help you rip and convert any song, album, or playlist from Apple Music. Your Apple Music songs will be stored on your computer in the most common MP3, WAV, AAC, AIFF, FLAC, or ALAC formats. This approach will also save you time and effort. For our users, we've considered everything. This software can fast transcode music while maintaining the original sound quality and some crucial ID3 tags. To convert Apple Music to FLAC, please follow our step-by-step instructions.

Key Features of TunePat Apple Music Converter

tunepat apple music converter

TunePat Apple Music Converter

  • okDownload songs, albums, playlists, or podcasts from Apple Music.
  • okConvert Apple Music songs to MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, or ALAC.
  • okPreserve the original quality of the songs after conversion.
  • okKeep ID3 tags including Title, Album, Artist, etc.
  • okDownloaded songs can be played on the USB drive, Amazon Echo, etc.

Note: To use this method, you must be in the middle of an active Apple Music subscription (a free trial period is also available.) Otherwise, the conversion will be impossible. But once the conversion is successful, these Apple Music songs can be kept forever.

Step 1 Choose Conversion Mode

Launch the TunePat Apple Music Converter and pick a conversion mode to start your music journey. You can make a decision between the App mode and the Webplayer mode for your preference.

choose a conversion mode

Step 2.1 Record Apple Music from iTunes App

If you select the App mode, click the "+ Add" button to open a pop-up window displaying a list of the music in your iTunes collection. Dragging and dropping Apple Music songs, podcasts, iTunes M4P music files and audiobooks from your PC is also available.

select apple music

Click "OK" after selecting the iTunes song to convert. TunePat will load the selected tracks and create a conversion list for them.

select apple music

Step 2.2 Record Apple Music from Apple Music Webplayer

You can search Apple Music's web player for the album or playlist you want to convert to FLAC format. By clicking the blue "Click to add" button, you can manually select the songs you want to download. After the tracks have loaded, select the songs you want to convert and click "Add" to add them to the list.

select songs to convert
select songs to convert

Step 3 Set the Output Format as FLAC

Next, open the Settings window. Complete the settings for the output parameters here, including the output format (select FLAC here) of the song, bit rate, sample rate, output file naming, etc. In addition, the converter allows you to customize the output folder, with the option to sort the converted files by Artist, Album, Artist/Album, Album/Artist, Playlist, Playlist/Album, Playlist/Artist. Just return to the home page when you're done with the selection.

output apple music as flac files

Step 4 Download Apple Music songs to PC

Check the tracks you want to convert and click the Convert button. If you want to continue selecting other songs, click Add More in this step. TunePat will return to the previous page and you can open any other songs you want to convert. Once you have made your selection, please click Convert to begin converting.

add apple music

Please be patient while the conversion takes place. If your network is stable, the conversion speed will be quite rapid. The output folder will appear after all of the Apple songs have been converted. The converted Apple Music tracks can also be seen or played in the Converted module.

download apple music in flac format
Author

Delilah Rene | Senior Writer

Delilah Rene is a music enthusiast and senior content writer who loves analyzing music data from major platforms. With over 5 years in digital marketing and a Bachelor's in English Literature, she excels at crafting content that connects with both music fans and industry professionals, keeping a close eye on global music streaming trends.

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