Convert CAF to ALAC on Mac
Select the CAF files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose ALAC and press Return. FileFlip saves each ALAC next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert CAF to ALAC with FileFlip
Select the CAF 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 CAF. Type “ALAC” to jump to it.
Choose ALAC and press Return
The ALAC files appear next to the originals with the same names. The CAF files stay as they are.
CAF and ALAC
Few apps outside the Mac can open CAF files. ALAC is lossless and plays natively in Apple’s Music app and on iPhone.
What changes when you convert
- ALAC is lossless, so the sound is saved without further loss.
- ALAC files use the .m4a extension, just like AAC files.
| Property | CAF | ALAC |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Core Audio Format | Apple Lossless Audio Codec |
| Made by | Apple | Apple |
| Introduced | 2005 | 2004 |
| Compression | Any codec; often uncompressed | Lossless |
| Best for | Audio for Apple developer tools and very long recordings | Lossless music in Apple’s Music app and on iPhone |
| Opens in | macOS and Apple’s audio and developer tools; rarely elsewhere | Apple devices and many players; less common elsewhere than FLAC |
| File extension | .caf | .m4a |
| In FileFlip | Opens | 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 m4af -d alac sound.caf sound.m4aBuilt into macOS and good for scripts.
Questions about CAF and ALAC
Does converting CAF to ALAC lose quality?
ALAC is lossless, so the sound is saved without further loss.
Can I convert many CAF files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose ALAC. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where does ALAC play?
Apple devices and many players; less common elsewhere than FLAC.
Where is the ALAC file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .m4a extension. The CAF file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert ALAC back to CAF?
No. FileFlip opens CAF 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