Convert AAC to AIFF on Mac
Select the AAC files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose AIFF and press Return. FileFlip saves each AIFF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert AAC to AIFF with FileFlip
Select the AAC files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from AAC. Type “AIFF” to jump to it.
Choose AIFF and press Return
The AIFF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The AAC files stay as they are.
AAC and AIFF
Bare .aac files have almost no room for tags, and some apps handle them poorly. AIFF is uncompressed and at home in Mac audio apps like Logic Pro and GarageBand.
What changes when you convert
- AIFF is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that AAC compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
| Property | AAC | AIFF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Advanced Audio Coding (ADTS stream) | Audio Interchange File Format |
| Made by | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | Apple |
| Introduced | 1997 | 1988 |
| Compression | Lossy | Uncompressed |
| Best for | Raw output from recorders and streaming tools | Music production on the Mac |
| Opens in | Most players | Mac audio apps, most audio editors and players |
| File extension | .aac | .aiff, .aif |
| In FileFlip | Opens | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Terminal
afconvert is Apple’s command-line audio converter.
afconvert -f AIFF -d BEI16 recording.aac recording.aiffBuilt into macOS. BEI16 is 16-bit audio; use BEI24 for 24-bit.
Questions about AAC and AIFF
Does converting AAC to AIFF lose quality?
AIFF is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that AAC compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
Can I convert many AAC files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose AIFF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where does AIFF play?
Mac audio apps, most audio editors and players.
Where is the AIFF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .aiff extension. The AAC file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert AIFF back to AAC?
No. FileFlip opens AAC files but doesn’t save them.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole album at once
FileFlip also handles images, camera raw files, video, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac