Next June, Apple Music will integrate the ability to listen to music in a new lossless format and everyone who is already subscribed will be able to take advantage of the new feature, as it will not require paying a more expensive subscription.
Thus, more than 20 million songs will be available in an audio format. lossless. Specifically, ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Compression) will be used. By the end of the year, this will be rolled out across the 75 million song catalog.
The songs will be available in a format lossless high resolution at a maximum of 24 bits and 192 kHz. They will also be compatible with Dolby Atmos. However, not all users will be able to enjoy this new audio quality.
We will take a look at which devices you can listen to audio on lossless in Apple Music.
What software do you need to listen to lossless audio on Apple Music?
First, you will need to install the Apple Music app on a compatible Apple device. This requires updating the operating system to iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, macOS 11.4, and tvOS 14.6.
iPhones with iOS 14.6:
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iphone xs
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPod touch (7th generation)
iPad with iPadOS 14.6:
- iPad Air 2 (2014)
- iPad mini 4 (2015)
- 12.5-inch iPad Pro (2015)
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro (2016)
- 5th generation iPad (2017)
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro (2017)
- 12.5-inch iPad Pro (2017)
- 6th generation iPad (2018)
- iPad Pro the 11 “(2018)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)
- iPad Air 3rd generation (2019)
- iPad mini 5th generation (2019)
- 7th generation iPad (2019)
- iPad Pro the 11 “(2020)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020)
- 8th generation iPad (2020)
- 4th generation iPad Air (2020)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (2021)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021)
Mac with macOS 11.4:
- MacBook early 2015 or later
- Latest 2013 MacBook Air
- MacBook Pro 2013 or later
- Mac mini from 2014 or later
- 2014 iMac latest
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro 2013 or later
Apple TV with tvOS 14.6:
- Apple TV HD (4th generation)
- Apple TV 4K (5th generation)
- Apple TV 4K (6th generation)
What devices are compatible with Apple Music lossless audio?
Apple Music uses the ALAC format to retain all information of the original CD quality file. Unfortunately, no Bluetooth device (not even AirPods) can decode this format, so you will need wired headphones.
You must go to the ‘Settings’ of your iPhone / iPad / Apple Watch or to the ‘System Preferences’ of your Mac to choose the ‘Lossless’ option. You can connect the headset directly to your iPhone or Mac (the port supports 24bit / 48kHz.
Compatible devices:
- Wired headset
- Wired speakers
Unsupported devices:
- AirPods (not even wired AirPods Max)
- Beats wireless headphones
- HomePod
Which devices are compatible with Apple Music Hi-Res lossless audio?
Apple also goes further and offers audio lossless high resolution with 24-bit, 192kHz quality. You will also need a Equipment compatible with this type of audio, such as a DAC or USB receiver, as well as the dongle USB-Lightning.
You will also need to go to ‘Settings’ on your iPhone / iPad / Apple Watch or ‘System Preferences’ on your Mac, but in this case choose the ‘Hi-Res Lossless’ option.
Compatible devices:
- Wired headset connected to a compatible DAC
- Wired speakers connected to a compatible DAC
Unsupported devices:
- AirPods (not even wired AirPods Max)
- Beats wireless headphones
- HomePod
What devices are compatible with Apple Music Dolby Atmos audio?
Fortunately, more Apple devices are compatible with Dolby Atmos, although as of yet we don’t know how many songs will be available in this quality. You may need to enable the “Dolby Atmos” option in your iPhone’s “Settings”.
Compatible devices:
- AirPods
- AirPods Pro
- AirPods Max
- BeatsX
- Beats Solo3 Wireless
- Beats Studio3
- Powerbeats 3 wireless
- Beats Flex
- Powerbeats Pro
- Beats Solo Pro
Unsupported devices:
.
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