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To listen to Hi-Res Lossless on Apple Music, enable Lossless Audio, choose Hi-Res Lossless for streaming or downloads, and use a wired audio connection. On iPhone and iPad—and on many Macs, Windows PCs, and Android devices—you’ll generally need an external DAC for playback above 48 kHz. Bluetooth headphones such as AirPods do not provide ordinary lossless Apple Music playback over Bluetooth.
For the highest available quality, check the specific track, your device’s output limits, and whether you need to delete and redownload music already stored on your device.
What Hi-Res Lossless means
Apple Music uses Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). Lossless compression reduces file size while preserving the audio data; it is different from lossy compression, and it does not mean the file is uncompressed WAV or AIFF.
- Lossless: up to 24-bit/48 kHz.
- Hi-Res Lossless: up to 24-bit/192 kHz.
Apple Music’s catalog ranges from 16-bit/44.1 kHz CD-quality recordings to 24-bit/192 kHz. The Hi-Res label describes the maximum tier available, not a promise that every song is offered at 192 kHz—or that a higher-resolution file was recorded or mastered better. See Apple’s explanation of lossless audio.
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Higher-quality streams and downloads use more data and storage. You can choose separate settings for Wi-Fi streaming, cellular streaming, and downloads, so you do not have to use Hi-Res Lossless everywhere.
What equipment do you need?
You need an active Apple Music subscription, the Apple Music app, and a wired audio path: headphones, powered speakers, or a receiver. To hear above 48 kHz, the entire chain—from the device through its DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to the headphones or audio system—must support the track’s resolution.
| Source device | What to know about playback above 48 kHz |
|---|---|
| iPhone or iPad | Apple says an external DAC is required for sample rates higher than 48 kHz. A wired connection is needed for ordinary lossless playback. |
| 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro | Apple says these models support native playback up to 96 kHz. That is below Apple Music’s 192 kHz maximum. |
| Other Mac computers | An external DAC is needed above 48 kHz, according to Apple. Do not assume every Mac’s headphone output has the same capability. |
| Windows PC | The Apple Music app offers Hi-Res Lossless, but an external DAC may be needed above 48 kHz. The result can depend on the PC’s audio hardware and settings. |
| Android device | Wired lossless playback is supported; an external DAC may be needed above 48 kHz, depending on the device. |
| Bluetooth headphones | Ordinary Bluetooth playback with AirPods and most Beats wireless models is not lossless. |
Apple’s device guidance is on its lossless audio support page. Exact capabilities vary by model and connection, so check the specifications for your device and DAC rather than relying on a generic “Hi-Res” logo.
Practical wired setups
- USB-C iPhone or iPad: connect a USB-C DAC, then plug in wired headphones or connect to an audio system. Apple’s USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter is a simple option for 3.5 mm headphones, but do not assume it guarantees 24-bit/192 kHz output.
- Lightning iPhone or iPad: use a Lightning-compatible DAC or a compatible Apple adapter to connect a USB DAC, then use wired headphones or an audio system.
- Mac or PC: connect wired headphones, a supported USB DAC, or a receiver. The computer’s operating system and audio hardware can affect the output.
A DAC rated for 24-bit/192 kHz can handle Apple Music’s highest stated resolution, but its rating alone does not show what the app is sending. The song, app setting, operating system, and audio path all matter. Also check that the DAC has enough power for your headphones and works with your device. Start at low volume, particularly with sensitive in-ear headphones.
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Turn on Hi-Res Lossless
Apple’s current support guides use the paths below. Menu names can differ on older operating systems or app versions; update the app and operating system if the options are missing.
iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Music.
- Tap Audio Quality and turn on Lossless Audio.
- Set Wi-Fi Streaming, Cellular Streaming, and Downloads separately.
- Choose Hi-Res Lossless for each setting where you want it.
Apple documents this route in its iPhone guide to playing lossless audio.
Mac
- Open Music.
- In the menu bar, choose Music > Settings.
- Select Playback and enable Lossless audio.
- Set Streaming and Download to Hi-Res Lossless as desired.
Some older macOS versions show Preferences instead of Settings. See Apple’s Mac Music guide.
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- Open the Apple Music app and sign in with an Apple Music subscription.
- Click the Sidebar Actions button and choose Settings.
- Select Playback and turn on Lossless audio.
- Set Streaming and Download to Hi-Res Lossless as desired.
Apple’s Windows guide describes these controls. An external DAC may be needed above 48 kHz.
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Android
- Open Apple Music and tap More.
- Tap Settings, then Audio Quality.
- Turn on Lossless.
- Select Hi-Res Lossless for streaming and downloads as desired.
Labels and paths can vary with app version and device language. An external DAC may be needed above 48 kHz, depending on the Android device.
How to check whether a song is available in lossless
Look for the Lossless badge on an eligible song or album page. When lossless is enabled, the badge can also appear on the Now Playing screen. Tap it to see information about the song’s encoding and available quality; Apple describes this in its iPhone playback guide.
Keep three things distinct:
- Track availability: whether Apple Music offers that version in lossless, and at what resolution.
- Your selected setting: whether the app is configured for Lossless or Hi-Res Lossless for the kind of playback you are using.
- Your output path: whether your device, DAC, connection, and audio system can deliver the source resolution.
The badge indicates an eligible lossless source; it does not prove that your headphones are receiving 192 kHz audio. Nor does every Lossless badge mean the song is Hi-Res.
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Can AirPods play Hi-Res Lossless?
Not over an ordinary Bluetooth connection. AirPods and most Beats wireless headphones use Bluetooth for typical Apple Music listening, and that link does not provide lossless playback. Turning on Hi-Res Lossless does not change the Bluetooth connection into a lossless one.
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Apple documents a special wireless exception for certain AirPods paired with Apple Vision Pro using Apple’s proprietary wireless protocol. That exception does not apply to ordinary Bluetooth playback from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows PC, or Android device.
AirPods Max also require care: Apple says its Lightning-to-3.5 mm and USB-C-to-3.5 mm audio cable paths involve analog-to-digital conversion, so playback through those cables is not completely lossless. Do not treat them as a guaranteed route to true Hi-Res Lossless. See Apple’s qualifications on lossless playback.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why am I not getting Hi-Res Lossless?
- The Hi-Res option is missing: make sure you are signed in to an active Apple Music subscription, in the correct audio-quality menu, and using a current app and operating system. Availability can vary by country or region. Also check whether you are viewing catalog content rather than a purchased or local file.
- There is no Lossless badge: that track or version may not be available in lossless. Radio, music videos, and specified Apple Music live radio and on-demand radio content are not available in lossless.
- The output is limited to 48 kHz: confirm Hi-Res Lossless is selected, the particular track is offered above 48 kHz, and a suitable external DAC is connected and recognized where required. Check the operating system’s audio settings and your receiver or DAC specifications. Bluetooth can also be the limiting link. Audio may be resampled by the operating system or another part of the chain; behavior is not identical across platforms.
- Previously downloaded music still plays at lower quality: changing the download setting does not necessarily replace files already on the device. Delete the existing download and download the song again after setting the desired quality. Apple recommends this step in its iPhone guide.
- The DAC works but the volume is too low: a high-resolution rating does not guarantee enough amplifier power for demanding headphones. Check the headphone and DAC specifications; raise volume cautiously.
Apple says broadcast radio, live radio and on-demand content from Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, and Apple Music Country, and music videos are not available in lossless. It also says an iTunes purchase cannot simply be redownloaded in lossless from purchase history; subscribers can find a lossless version in the Apple Music catalog if one is available. See Apple’s lossless availability details.
Choose settings that fit how you listen
If you want CD-quality lossless sound without the highest data and storage demands, choose Lossless. Choose Hi-Res Lossless when you want access to versions above 48 kHz and have a wired setup capable of playing them. Neither setting guarantees an audible improvement: mastering, equipment, room or listening environment, and the listener all matter.
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A practical compromise is to use Hi-Res Lossless on Wi-Fi, choose Lossless or a lower setting for cellular streaming, and reserve Hi-Res downloads for albums you specifically want offline. Apple confirms that higher-quality audio uses more data and storage but does not provide one universal data-per-hour figure; the amount varies with the music and playback quality.
For CarPlay, Apple says lossless playback can be used over a USB connection. Do not assume every wireless CarPlay setup provides lossless audio; streaming over mobile data can also use substantially more data.
Built-in speakers can play lossless, but they are generally not a useful way to judge Hi-Res differences. Powered speakers and receivers can work if the source and conversion path support the desired resolution. A wireless speaker or Bluetooth receiver can become the limiting link if it receives ordinary Bluetooth audio.
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