M4A to ALAC Converter
Convert M4A files to ALAC in seconds, right in your browser. Drop in one file or a whole folder, pick your quality settings and download - nothing is uploaded to a server.
Drop M4A files here
MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A, OGG, OPUS, AAC, AIFF, WMA, AMR, MP4, MOV & more · Processed on your device - nothing is uploaded
How to convert M4A to ALAC
- Click "Choose files" or drag your M4A files onto the page.
- Make sure "ALAC" is selected as the output format.
- Optionally click Edit to trim, adjust volume or add effects.
- Click Convert, then Download your ALAC files.
Why convert M4A to ALAC?
ALAC is lossless, so further editing and re-saving won't reduce quality any more. (It can't restore detail that M4A compression already removed.)
ALAC is best for lossless music on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Music. All Apple devices, iTunes, VLC, foobar2000 and most modern players.
Will I lose quality?
Converting M4A to ALAC keeps all the quality that is in your M4A file - nothing more is lost. However, it cannot recover detail removed when the M4A was originally created, and the ALAC file will be larger.
M4A vs ALAC
| M4A | ALAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Audio (AAC) | Apple Lossless Audio Codec |
| Type | lossy | lossless |
| Best for | iPhone, iTunes/Apple Music, YouTube uploads and efficient music storage | lossless music on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Music |
| Typical size | ~1.4 MB at 192 kbps per minute | ~5-6 MB at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz per minute |
| Compatibility | Excellent on Apple devices, Android, Windows, browsers and most modern players. | All Apple devices, iTunes, VLC, foobar2000 and most modern players. |
| Developed by | MPEG / Apple (2001) | Apple (2004) |
M4A to ALAC: questions
How do I convert M4A to ALAC?
Open this page, add your M4A file, make sure ALAC is selected as the output format and click Convert. Your ALAC file is ready to download in seconds.
Will converting M4A to ALAC lose quality?
Converting M4A to ALAC keeps all the quality that is in your M4A file - nothing more is lost. However, it cannot recover detail removed when the M4A was originally created, and the ALAC file will be larger.
Is this M4A to ALAC converter free and safe?
Yes. It's free with no watermark or sign-up. Files are processed locally in your browser, so your audio is never uploaded or stored on our servers.
Can I convert many M4A files to ALAC at once?
Yes - add up to 5 files at a time on the free plan (unlimited with Pro), convert them all with one click and download them as a ZIP.
What is the difference between M4A and ALAC?
M4A (MPEG-4 Audio (AAC)) is a compressed (lossy) format, aAC audio in an MPEG-4 container. Better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate and the native format of Apple Music and iTunes. ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless format: apple's lossless format. Same perfect quality as FLAC but plays natively in Apple Music and on every iPhone.
Does it work on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android?
Yes. The M4A to ALAC converter runs in any modern browser - Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox - on desktop and mobile. No software to install.