Convert M4A to ALAC on Mac
Select the M4A 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 M4A to ALAC with FileFlip
Select the M4A 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 M4A. Type “ALAC” to jump to it.
Choose ALAC and press Return
The ALAC files appear next to the originals with the same names. The M4A files stay as they are.
M4A and ALAC
M4A is lossy, so it’s not ideal as a master copy for editing. ALAC is lossless and plays natively in Apple’s Music app and on iPhone.
What changes when you convert
- ALAC is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that M4A compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
- ALAC files use the .m4a extension, just like AAC files.
| Property | M4A | ALAC |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Audio with AAC | Apple Lossless Audio Codec |
| Made by | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | Apple |
| Compression | Lossy (AAC) | Lossless |
| Best for | Music, podcasts and voice recordings | Lossless music in Apple’s Music app and on iPhone |
| Opens in | Apple devices, Android, Windows and most players | Apple devices and many players; less common elsewhere than FLAC |
| File extension | .m4a | .m4a |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | 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.
Music
In the Music app, choose Music → Settings → Files → Import Settings and set Import Using to Apple Lossless Encoder. Then select the songs and choose File → Convert → Create Apple Lossless Version.
The songs have to be in your Music library.
Terminal
afconvert is Apple’s command-line audio converter.
afconvert -f m4af -d alac voice-memo.m4a voice-memo.m4aBuilt into macOS and good for scripts.
Questions about M4A and ALAC
Does converting M4A to ALAC lose quality?
ALAC is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that M4A compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
Can I convert many M4A 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 M4A file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert ALAC back to M4A?
No. FileFlip saves ALAC files but doesn’t open 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