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06 Numbers and Powers

Convert Play FLAC in iTunes: Full Guide

Card No. 06·6795 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

To play FLAC files in iTunes, you must first convert them to a format iTunes supports, such as ALAC (Apple Lossless), MP3, or AAC, because iTunes does not natively play FLAC. This guide explains your options, the conversion process, and how to keep your music library organized.

Why iTunes Doesn’t Play FLAC

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a popular lossless format among audiophiles because it compresses audio without losing any quality. However, Apple has never added FLAC support to iTunes or the Music app on Windows and macOS. Instead, Apple promotes its own lossless format, ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), which offers the same audio quality but is fully compatible with iTunes, iPhones, iPods, and Apple TV.

When you try to add a FLAC file to iTunes, the program either ignores it or shows an error. This is a deliberate design choice by Apple, not a technical limitation. The good news is that you can convert FLAC to ALAC without any loss in sound quality, making it the best option for preserving your music library.

Option 1: Convert FLAC to ALAC (Lossless)

ALAC is the closest equivalent to FLAC—both are lossless, meaning the audio data is perfectly preserved. Converting FLAC to ALAC is ideal if you care about audio fidelity and want to keep your files in a format that works seamlessly with Apple devices.

  1. Download a free audio converter like X Lossless Decoder (XLD) for Mac or Fre:ac for Windows.
  2. Open the converter and add your FLAC files to the queue.
  3. Choose Apple Lossless (ALAC) as the output format.
  4. Set the output folder (e.g., a new folder on your Desktop).
  5. Click Convert and wait for the process to finish.
  6. In iTunes, go to File > Add to Library and select the converted ALAC files.

ALAC files will appear in iTunes just like any other track, and you can sync them to your iPhone or iPod without any issues.

Option 2: Convert FLAC to MP3 or AAC (Lossy)

If you don’t need lossless quality—for example, for a workout playlist or to save storage space—you can convert FLAC to MP3 or AAC. These formats are smaller but lose some audio detail. For most listeners on earbuds or car stereos, the difference is barely noticeable.

  • MP3 (320 kbps): Universally compatible, but not as efficient as AAC at the same bitrate.
  • AAC (256 kbps): Better quality per bit than MP3, and it’s iTunes’ native format.

Use the same converter tools mentioned above, but select MP3 or AAC as the output. You can also use iTunes itself to convert ALAC files to MP3/AAC later, but you cannot directly import FLAC.

Option 3: Use a Third-Party Player (No Conversion)

If you don’t want to convert your FLAC files at all, you can simply use a different media player that supports FLAC natively. Popular options include VLC Media Player, Foobar2000 (Windows), and Cog (Mac). These players can handle FLAC without any conversion, and you can still keep your library organized in folders.

However, this means you won’t be able to sync those FLAC files to an iPhone or iPod via iTunes. If you only listen on your computer, this is the simplest solution.

How to Automate Conversion with iTunes

If you have a large FLAC collection, converting file-by-file is tedious. You can automate the process by setting up a folder watch in some converters, or by using a batch conversion feature. For example, in Fre:ac, you can add an entire folder of FLAC files and convert them all at once. After conversion, you can use iTunes’ Folder Watching feature (if enabled) to automatically add new files to your library.

Another approach is to use a dedicated music management tool like MusicBrainz Picard to tag your FLAC files before conversion, ensuring your metadata (artist, album, cover art) is preserved in the new format.

Common Problems and Solutions

  • Problem: Converted files have no album art. Solution: Use a tag editor like MP3Tag or MusicBrainz Picard to add cover art before or after conversion.
  • Problem: iTunes doesn’t see the converted files. Solution: Make sure you added the correct folder to iTunes and that the files are in a supported format (ALAC, MP3, AAC).
  • Problem: Conversion takes too long. Solution: Use a faster computer or convert in smaller batches. Lossless-to-lossless conversion is CPU-intensive.
  • Problem: Some tracks have incorrect metadata after conversion. Solution: Check the converter’s settings for metadata preservation, and manually edit tags in iTunes if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play FLAC in iTunes without converting?

No, iTunes does not support FLAC playback. You must convert FLAC to a compatible format like ALAC, MP3, or AAC to play it in iTunes.

Is there any quality loss when converting FLAC to ALAC?

No, both FLAC and ALAC are lossless formats. Converting between them preserves all audio data, so there is no quality loss.

What is the best format to convert FLAC to for iTunes?

For lossless quality, convert to ALAC. For smaller files, convert to AAC at 256 kbps or MP3 at 320 kbps, depending on your device compatibility.

Can I convert FLAC to ALAC using iTunes itself?

No, iTunes cannot read FLAC files, so it cannot convert them. You need a third-party converter to do the conversion first.

Will converted ALAC files sync to my iPhone?

Yes, ALAC is fully supported by iTunes and iOS devices, so you can sync them normally.

Are there any free converters that work well?

Yes, X Lossless Decoder (XLD) for Mac and Fre:ac for Windows are both free, open-source, and reliable for converting FLAC to ALAC or other formats.

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