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TIDAL stopped offering MQA and Sony 360 Reality Audio on July 24, 2024. It now uses FLAC—including HiRes FLAC where available—for stereo, and Dolby Atmos for immersive audio. Atmos did not replace MQA as a stereo format: the two serve different purposes. The change also affected saved tracks and offline downloads, and a DAC may still display an MQA indicator for some replacement files.
What changed at TIDAL
TIDAL’s change took effect on July 24, 2024. MQA and Sony 360 Reality Audio tracks can no longer be accessed through TIDAL apps or integrations. For stereo playback, TIDAL’s current formats are FLAC and HiRes FLAC, with AAC available at lower quality settings. Dolby Atmos remains the service’s immersive-audio option. TIDAL’s format-update notice describes the transition.
| Listening use | TIDAL format now | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo, standard quality | FLAC, 16-bit/44.1 kHz at High | CD-quality lossless audio. |
| Stereo, highest available quality | HiRes FLAC, up to 24-bit/192 kHz at Max | The actual resolution depends on the version available for that track. |
| Lower-bandwidth stereo | AAC, up to 320 kbps at Low | Useful when conserving data or bandwidth. |
| Immersive audio | Dolby Atmos | Requires an Atmos version of the track and a supported playback setup. |
| Discontinued formats | MQA and Sony 360 Reality Audio | Neither is accessible through TIDAL apps or integrations. |
TIDAL says it chose FLAC so artists could deliver high-quality audio directly without relying on a third party. It cites device compatibility, catalog availability and artist adoption in explaining its decision to retain Dolby Atmos. Those are TIDAL’s stated reasons; they do not establish that Atmos is technically or sonically superior to MQA. TIDAL’s explanation of the format changes sets out its position.
What happened to saved music and downloads
Tracks in your Collection and playlists
TIDAL says saved MQA tracks and albums, including playlist entries, were automatically replaced with the highest-quality FLAC version it distributes when a replacement was available. That does not mean every replacement is HiRes FLAC: TIDAL says it has at least 16-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC for nearly all former MQA tracks, but acknowledges that some may have no replacement. Its public notice does not provide a complete track-by-track replacement list. If an old playlist entry is unavailable or grayed out, search TIDAL for the track or album again; a replacement may appear under a current listing.
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Offline downloads
For the original transition, TIDAL instructed users to update to app version 2.123.0 or later. The app then displayed a prompt to redownload MQA files as FLAC, and TIDAL said that prompt would appear only once. If you still have affected offline content, remove the downloads and download them again. TIDAL’s audio-quality guidance says a changed download-quality setting applies to future downloads, not files already saved offline. See its HiRes FLAC guidance for the current download behavior.
Why a DAC might still show “MQA”
An MQA light on a DAC does not, on its own, prove that TIDAL is still delivering MQA in the former way. TIDAL says some content providers supplied tracks only as MQA source files during the transition. In those cases, a FLAC file available to stream may have been produced from an MQA source, and some DACs may still identify or display it as MQA. TIDAL says it is working with providers to replace such files with HiRes FLAC where available. That does not mean every former MQA track has been replaced with a newly sourced, native HiRes FLAC master.
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An MQA-capable DAC can still be used as a DAC for ordinary FLAC playback. But dedicated MQA decoding is no longer a reason to choose TIDAL, and the indicator alone cannot tell you the provenance or mastering quality of a particular file.
What High and Max quality actually deliver
TIDAL’s current stereo quality settings are High, which uses 16-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, and Max, which selects the best available version for each track. Under Max, TIDAL’s stated preference order is HiRes FLAC, then FLAC, then AAC. HiRes FLAC can reach 24-bit/192 kHz, but selecting Max does not guarantee that resolution—or even a HiRes FLAC version—for every song. Availability depends on what TIDAL receives from rights holders and content providers. TIDAL’s HiRes FLAC page explains its tiers and selection order.
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A higher bit depth or sample rate is a file specification, not a guarantee of a better-sounding master. Mastering, the playback chain and listening conditions also matter; the format label alone cannot settle a comparison.
Set quality and check a track
- On mobile: Open Settings > Audio & Playback, then choose Mobile data streaming, Wi-Fi streaming or Downloads. Select Low, High or Max for that use.
- On desktop or web: Open Settings > Streaming > Audio Quality and select Low, High or Max.
- While playing a track: Check the sound-format indicator below or beside the progress bar. Tap or click it to see bit depth and sample rate when supported for High or Max playback.
The labels and available format details can vary with the track and selected quality. TIDAL estimates a minimum connection of 1.5–2 Mbps for HiRes FLAC playback; its stated data-use estimates are up to 10 MB per minute for High and up to 40 MB per minute for Max, varying by sample rate. These are service guidance figures, not guarantees for every track or connection.
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What Dolby Atmos does—and where it works
Dolby Atmos is an immersive mix and playback format, not a higher-resolution stereo replacement for MQA or FLAC. An Atmos version may use a different mix from the stereo release, so comparing the two is not simply a contest between codecs or resolution figures.
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Turn Atmos on or off
- Open TIDAL on a supported mobile device.
- Go to Settings > Audio & Playback.
- Enable or disable the Dolby Atmos toggle.
- For a supported track, check the Dolby Atmos tag on the Now Playing screen.
If Atmos is unavailable on the device or track, TIDAL may play the stereo version and display a notification. If Atmos is enabled but you hear stereo, check whether the song has an Atmos mix, whether you are using a supported app and device, and whether the connected TV, receiver or soundbar supports the playback path. TIDAL says a brief pause can occur between tracks when a TV, AVR or soundbar reconfigures as playback switches between Atmos and stereo.
Who is affected most by the change?
- MQA-DAC owners: Your DAC remains usable for FLAC, but its MQA decoding feature is not needed for current TIDAL playback. A DAC’s MQA indicator may reflect a replacement file’s source history rather than the former MQA delivery experience.
- Stereo listeners: TIDAL still offers lossless and high-resolution stereo through FLAC. Whether a track is HiRes depends on its availability, and resolution alone does not identify the mastering.
- Home-theater and Atmos listeners: Atmos remains available on supported devices and tracks, but compatibility is not universal. Desktop and Pixel playback are excluded in TIDAL’s current guidance.
- Listeners with missing library items: TIDAL says nearly all former MQA tracks have at least a CD-quality FLAC replacement, not that every item has a replacement or a HiRes version. Search for unavailable tracks individually.
How TIDAL compares with alternatives
The right alternative depends on whether you prioritize stereo resolution, Atmos, device integration or downloadable music. These services do not make the formats interchangeable.
| Service | Relevant distinction | Potential fit |
|---|---|---|
| TIDAL | FLAC and HiRes FLAC for stereo, plus Dolby Atmos on supported devices. | Listeners who want both stereo lossless options and Atmos within one service, and whose devices and catalog needs suit TIDAL. |
| Apple Music | Apple describes lossless audio and Dolby Atmos in its service offering. | People invested in Apple hardware and services, or interested in its Spatial Audio ecosystem. Details: Apple Music. |
| Qobuz | Its U.S. offers page emphasizes lossless and hi-res streaming and high-resolution downloads; it is not the choice in this comparison for TIDAL-style Dolby Atmos listening. | Stereo-focused listeners who value high-resolution downloads as well as streaming. Offers and pricing can change: Qobuz U.S. offers. |
For a TIDAL subscriber, the practical decision is less about whether MQA has been replaced by a single “better” format and more about how you listen. FLAC serves stereo playback, while Atmos serves supported immersive setups. If your priority is a broad high-resolution download catalog, compare the services’ current offers and regional availability directly; the cited Qobuz page is specific to the United States.
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