ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert M4A to FLAC - Open Lossless Audio Format

Transform Apple M4A files to FLAC. Universal lossless audio that works everywhere.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

Why Convert M4A to FLAC?

M4A files work well within Apple's ecosystem, but they create problems elsewhere. Many audio players, especially on Linux and Android devices, handle FLAC better than M4A. If you're building a music library that needs to work across different platforms, FLAC is the safer choice.

FLAC is an open-source, royalty-free format that's become the standard for lossless audio archiving. Unlike M4A (which can contain either lossy AAC or lossless ALAC), FLAC is always lossless and universally recognized as such. When you share a FLAC file, there's no ambiguity about quality.

How to Convert M4A to FLAC

  1. Upload your M4A file - Drag and drop or click to select your audio file
  2. Confirm FLAC as output - FLAC is already selected for lossless conversion
  3. Download your FLAC file - Your audio is now in universal lossless format

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation. In our testing, most conversions complete within seconds, even for full-length albums.

Understanding M4A and FLAC

M4A is Apple's audio container format, typically using either AAC (lossy) or ALAC (Apple Lossless) encoding. Music from iTunes is usually 256kbps AAC in an M4A wrapper. If you have M4A files from Apple Music's lossless tier or ripped CDs, those use ALAC encoding.

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) compresses audio without losing any data. A FLAC file can be decompressed to produce a bit-perfect copy of the original recording. In our testing, FLAC files typically run 50-70% the size of uncompressed WAV files while maintaining identical audio quality.

Technical Comparison

  • M4A (AAC) - Lossy compression, typically 128-320kbps, smaller files
  • M4A (ALAC) - Lossless compression, ~600-1400kbps, Apple proprietary
  • FLAC - Lossless compression, ~600-1400kbps, open standard

Important: Converting lossy AAC to FLAC won't improve audio quality. The FLAC file will be larger but contain the same audio information as the original AAC. Converting ALAC to FLAC, however, preserves full quality in an open format.

When to Choose FLAC Over M4A

Archiving Your Music Collection

FLAC has become the archival standard for audio enthusiasts. Unlike proprietary formats, FLAC is fully documented and open-source. Your files will remain playable decades from now, regardless of what happens to Apple or any other company.

Non-Apple Audio Players

Many high-end audio players, especially those running Linux-based systems, have better FLAC support than M4A. Devices from brands like FiiO, Sony Walkman, and Astell&Kern handle FLAC natively. In our testing, FLAC files loaded faster and showed more reliable metadata on these devices.

Audio Production Workflows

Digital audio workstations (DAWs) generally prefer FLAC over M4A for lossless audio. If you're importing audio for editing, remixing, or sampling, FLAC integrates more smoothly with software like Audacity, Reaper, and Logic Pro.

Sharing with Others

When sharing lossless audio, FLAC is the universal standard. Recipients won't need any special software or codecs to play your files. If you need even wider compatibility, consider converting M4A to MP3 instead, though you'll sacrifice quality.

What to Expect from Your Conversion

The output quality depends entirely on your source file:

  • ALAC source (lossless M4A) - Perfect quality preservation. Your FLAC will be bit-identical to the original recording.
  • AAC source (lossy M4A) - Quality preserved at current level. Converting won't improve the audio, but won't degrade it either.

How do you know which type you have? Generally, files from iTunes Store purchases are AAC (lossy). Files from Apple Music's lossless tier, or CDs you ripped with ALAC selected, are lossless. Check the file size - a 3-minute lossless track is typically 25-40MB, while lossy AAC is usually 5-10MB.

Batch Conversion for Large Collections

Converting your entire music library? Upload multiple M4A files at once. Our converter processes files in parallel, handling entire albums in the time it would take other tools to convert a single track. In our testing, a 12-track album completed in under 30 seconds on a standard connection.

For those with extensive libraries from iTunes, batch conversion makes migrating to FLAC practical. You won't need to spend hours converting files one at a time.

Alternative Formats to Consider

FLAC isn't always the best choice. Here's when you might want something different:

  • M4A to WAV - When you need uncompressed audio for maximum compatibility with audio software
  • M4A to MP3 - When file size matters more than quality, or for older devices
  • M4A to OGG - For streaming or gaming applications where Vorbis is preferred

For pure archiving and audiophile listening, FLAC remains the top recommendation. It offers the best balance of quality preservation, file size, and universal compatibility.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones

No software to download, no plugins to install. Your audio files are processed locally and never uploaded to external servers, keeping your music library private.

Pro Tip

Before converting your entire iTunes library, check a few files first. Right-click an M4A in iTunes/Music app and select 'Get Info' - look for 'Kind.' If it says 'Apple Lossless,' converting to FLAC preserves full quality. If it says 'AAC,' you're better off keeping the originals.

Common Mistake

Converting iTunes Store purchases (which are AAC) to FLAC thinking it will improve quality. You'll end up with files 3-5 times larger that sound identical. Only convert if you need FLAC for compatibility reasons.

Best For

Building a future-proof music archive, using non-Apple audio players (especially Linux-based devices), or sharing lossless audio with others who may not have Apple software.

Not Recommended

If you only use Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad), there's no benefit to converting. M4A files work perfectly in Apple's ecosystem, and conversion adds unnecessary steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if your M4A contains lossless ALAC audio. If your M4A is AAC-encoded (which is lossy), converting to FLAC will not improve quality - it will only create a larger file containing the same audio information. FLAC preserves whatever quality exists in your source file.

Check the file size. A 3-4 minute lossless track is typically 25-40MB, while lossy AAC is usually 5-10MB. iTunes Store purchases are AAC (lossy). Apple Music lossless streams and CDs ripped with ALAC selected are lossless.

FLAC and ALAC (lossless M4A) provide identical audio quality - both are lossless. The difference is compatibility: FLAC is an open standard supported everywhere, while M4A works best within Apple's ecosystem. For archiving, FLAC is generally preferred.

Three main reasons: broader device compatibility (especially non-Apple audio players), archival security (FLAC is open-source and future-proof), and universal recognition as a lossless format. Many audiophile devices handle FLAC better than M4A.

Most single tracks convert in seconds. Full albums typically complete within 30 seconds. Conversion speed depends on file size and your internet connection, but the process is significantly faster than real-time playback duration.

If your M4A is lossy AAC, the FLAC will be larger (3-5x). If your M4A is lossless ALAC, FLAC will be roughly the same size - both formats achieve similar compression ratios of 50-70% of uncompressed audio.

Yes. Upload multiple files and convert them in a single batch. Our converter processes files in parallel, making it practical to convert entire albums or music libraries efficiently.

Nearly all modern audio players support FLAC, including VLC, foobar2000, Winamp, most Linux players, and dedicated audiophile devices from FiiO, Sony, and Astell&Kern. Windows 10/11 and Android have native FLAC support. Apple devices require third-party apps.

FLAC is completely open-source and royalty-free, developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation. Unlike M4A (which uses Apple's proprietary ALAC or patented AAC), FLAC's specification is fully documented and free for anyone to implement.

Yes. Album art, artist information, track titles, and other metadata are preserved during conversion. Your FLAC files will maintain the same organizational information as your original M4A files.

Yes, at least until you verify the conversions. If your M4A files are lossless ALAC, the FLAC files are equivalent and you could delete the originals. If they're AAC, keep the originals since they're your best available copy.

The converter runs in your browser but requires an internet connection to load initially. Once loaded, the actual conversion processing happens locally on your device - your files aren't uploaded to any server.

M4A Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.