Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Convert with FFmpeg (all platforms)
ffmpeg -i input.flac -c:a alac output.m4a. The -c:a alac flag specifies the ALAC codec; .m4a is the Apple container. The resulting file plays natively in iTunes, Music app, and iPhone.
Go to converter - 2
Batch convert a FLAC library to ALAC
for f in *.flac; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -c:a alac "${f%.flac}.m4a"; done. For recursive: find . -name '*.flac' -exec sh -c 'ffmpeg -i "$1" -c:a alac "${1%.flac}.m4a"' _ {} \;
- 3
Use XLD on macOS (preserves AccurateRip data)
Install XLD (free for Mac) → Preferences → Output Format → Apple Lossless → drag FLAC files onto XLD → Convert. Excellent for CUE sheets and audiophile metadata.
- 4
Import ALAC into iTunes/Music
Drag the .m4a files into the Music library. Right-click → Get Info → File tab — should show 'Apple Lossless' as Kind. Apple Music and iCloud Music Library support ALAC.
Why convert FLAC to ALAC?
ALAC integrates seamlessly with iTunes, Apple Music, and iOS. Converting your FLAC library to ALAC lets your lossless music work natively in Apple's ecosystem without any quality sacrifice.
Your files never leave your device
FormatDrop runs the conversion engine entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly. No file upload. No server. Nothing stored. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network tab and watching: zero upload requests.
Frequently asked questions
Does FLAC to ALAC lose any quality?
Why does my ALAC file not import into iTunes?
No account. No upload. Works in any browser.