TIDAL stopped offering MQA and Sony 360 Reality Audio through its apps and integrations on July 24, 2024. It did not remove lossless listening: stereo playback now centers on FLAC, including Hi-Res FLAC where available, while Dolby Atmos is its chosen immersive format. Most subscribers can keep using their existing setup, though some offline downloads and saved 360 Reality Audio tracks need attention.
What TIDAL removed—and what remains
TIDAL’s format change affected two distinct formats: MQA, previously associated with its “Master” catalog, and Sony 360 Reality Audio, an immersive-audio format. They were no longer accessible as TIDAL service formats after July 24, 2024. The change was not the removal of lossless or high-resolution audio.
| Format or category | TIDAL’s direction | What a listener may notice |
|---|---|---|
| MQA | FLAC or Hi-Res FLAC where a version is available | Saved items were generally replaced with the highest-quality FLAC version distributed to TIDAL. Not every former MQA release necessarily has an equivalent replacement. |
| Sony 360 Reality Audio | Dolby Atmos is TIDAL’s chosen immersive format | Saved 360 tracks may appear gray or unavailable. An Atmos mix exists only when one has been delivered for that title. |
| FLAC | Continues as TIDAL’s main stereo lossless format | Available resolutions vary by release; the FLAC label alone does not mean a track is Hi-Res. |
| Hi-Res FLAC | Continues where available | TIDAL documents support up to 24-bit/192 kHz; that ceiling does not apply to every track. |
| AAC | Remains an applicable compressed playback option | It may be used when a lossless version is unavailable or depending on playback quality settings and device. |
TIDAL’s current format overview describes a catalog spanning lossless, Hi-Res FLAC, and Dolby Atmos. See TIDAL’s sound-quality overview and its Hi-Res FLAC documentation.
Why TIDAL made the change
TIDAL says it chose FLAC for stereo because it is open source and lets artists and rights holders deliver high-quality music without relying on a third-party proprietary format. For immersive listening, TIDAL points to Dolby Atmos’s broader device compatibility, catalog availability, and artist adoption. Those are the company’s stated reasons, not a claim that every listener will prefer the sound of one format.
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In practical terms, the transition changed what formats TIDAL distributes and how releases are labeled. It did not guarantee a new, independently sourced master for every title. TIDAL’s format-update guidance explains the service change and its migration details.
What happened to saved albums, playlists, and downloads?
Saved MQA music
TIDAL says saved MQA tracks and albums, including playlist entries, were automatically replaced by the highest-quality FLAC version it had received. That replacement can be standard FLAC rather than Hi-Res FLAC; the album entry, mastering information, or quality badge may also differ. TIDAL says it has at least 16-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC versions for nearly all MQA tracks, but does not promise an equivalent FLAC replacement for every former MQA title.
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If an album has disappeared or the saved entry is unavailable, search for the artist and album again, inspect the available FLAC versions and quality badges, and add the version you want to your library or playlist. If no version appears, TIDAL may not have a replacement for that release.
Offline MQA downloads
Listeners with downloaded MQA tracks needed TIDAL app version 2.123.0 or later to update those offline files. After updating, the app displayed a prompt asking whether to redownload affected tracks; accepting it replaced the old offline MQA files with FLAC versions. TIDAL described the prompt as appearing once.
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- Update the TIDAL app to at least version 2.123.0.
- Open TIDAL while connected to Wi-Fi and make sure you have enough free storage.
- Accept the redownload prompt if it appears.
- If the prompt has already been dismissed or does not appear, remove and redownload the affected albums as a practical recovery step.
- Before relying on the music away from Wi-Fi, check that the downloaded albums play offline.
Saved 360 Reality Audio tracks
TIDAL says saved Sony 360 Reality Audio tracks or albums—including playlist and offline items—may remain visible but appear gray and unavailable. Attempting to play some saved tracks can produce error code 15:1. Search for the title again and check for stereo FLAC or Dolby Atmos. If neither is available, changing headphones, a DAC, or a phone setting will not restore the removed 360 mix.
Why might a DAC still show an MQA light?
An MQA indicator does not necessarily mean TIDAL still offers MQA as a service format. TIDAL says some tracks were delivered only in MQA during the transition; in those cases, its available FLAC stream may have been produced from an MQA source, and certain DACs may still identify it as MQA.
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There are three separate things to distinguish: TIDAL’s official stream label and delivery policy, the source material used to produce an individual file, and the signal a DAC reports. Check the format shown in TIDAL. If the app identifies the stream as FLAC while the DAC lights its MQA indicator, that light alone does not establish that TIDAL is providing an official MQA stream. If you specifically want a native Hi-Res FLAC release, look for another version of the album; availability is title-specific.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does FLAC mean the music sounds better or worse?
FLAC is a lossless audio codec, but its name does not tell you which master was used or how that master compares with another release. A FLAC file can be CD quality or Hi-Res, and TIDAL acknowledges that some FLAC files may derive from MQA sources. Resolution, source, and mastering are different questions.
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- USB supports MQA:1.Clean up the recording 2.Encapsulate the sound
- Support MQA CD:CD Player + MQA- Enabled DAC,Your CD player's digital output (optical or coaxial) can be fed to an MQA de coder. The MQA decoder can restore the original high-resolution signal heard in the studio and confirm it, using the authentication signature.SMSL SU-1 support MQA CD.
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The format change alone cannot establish an audible improvement or degradation. A fair comparison depends on whether the versions use the same master, as well as playback equipment, listening level, headphones or speakers, room, and listening conditions. The defensible conclusion is that TIDAL changed its delivery formats and library behavior; whether a particular replacement sounds different depends on the specific release and playback chain.
Should you stay with TIDAL or compare services?
For many subscribers, there is no format-related reason to leave: TIDAL still offers lossless and Hi-Res stereo through FLAC and immersive listening through Dolby Atmos where available. The decision changes if your collection relies on 360 Reality Audio, a specific missing release, or a service feature you value more than your existing TIDAL library.
- Consider staying if your priority is stereo lossless or Hi-Res playback, your playlists and integrations work for you, or you use Dolby Atmos on a supported setup.
- Compare Qobuz if stereo FLAC and a store for purchasing downloadable music are central to your listening. Qobuz advertises lossless and Hi-Res FLAC streaming, including files up to 24-bit/192 kHz, plus a download store on its U.S. offers page.
- Compare Apple Music if you are invested in Apple devices, Family Sharing, or Apple Music Classical and want lossless audio and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in the same service. Apple notes its audio features and plans on its Apple Music page; compatible playback paths matter.
- Compare Amazon Music Unlimited if you use Amazon’s ecosystem or want to investigate its advertised lossless and spatial-audio catalog. Its official FAQ references both Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, but availability depends on title and device.
Do not decide by format count alone. Search for albums you actually listen to, compare the available versions and mastering details, and check device support and offline behavior. No service guarantees that every album is available in the same resolution, mastering, or immersive mix.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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