Step 1: Submit your M4A files using the button above or by pull and release.
Step 2: Click the 'Transform' button to start the transformation.
Step 3: Save your converted FLAC files.
M4A to FLAC Transformation FAQ
What bitrate does the FLAC file use?
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A lossy FLAC is encoded at 192 kbps by default. The Audio Quality setting also offers 320 kbps for the best quality and 128 kbps for a smaller file. A lossless FLAC (WAV, FLAC) ignores the bitrate and keeps every sample.
Will going from M4A to FLAC reduce my audio quality?
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If M4A is lossy and FLAC is lossless (e.g. MP3 → WAV), the FLAC file is no better than the M4A — you can't recover information that's already been thrown away. If M4A is lossless and FLAC is lossy, expect the FLAC codec to recompress; at 192 kbps this is transparent for most content.
Can I batch convert hundreds of M4A files to FLAC?
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Several files in one job need a paid plan. Free use is one file per conversion, one conversion an hour. On a paid plan you can add several files to one job, then download each result on its own or all of them in one ZIP.
Will the FLAC keep the same sample rate as M4A?
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By default yes (48 kHz M4A → 48 kHz FLAC). If you need to downsample for compatibility (e.g. 96 kHz → 44.1 kHz for CD burning) the advanced sample-rate option does this with high-quality resampling.
Can I normalize loudness in the M4A to FLAC step?
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Not in this step. The converter has no loudness setting and leaves the level as it is. To even out the volume, run the finished FLAC through a Normalize tool on this site.
Will the FLAC play on my car stereo / iPod / Sonos?
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MP3 plays almost everywhere. AAC plays on Apple devices, most Android phones and Sonos. FLAC plays on Sonos and Android but not on older iPods, and WAV plays on nearly everything but makes large files. There are no device presets on this page, so choose the target format your player supports.
Is my M4A file private during conversion?
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Yes. Uploaded M4A files are processed on our own conversion servers, no person reviews them, and they are never shared. The upload and the converted FLAC are both deleted automatically about 24 hours after the conversion, which leaves time to download the result. See /privacy/ for the full policy.
How long does converting a 1-hour M4A to FLAC take?
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It depends on the size and length of the file. Small documents and images are usually ready quickly. Long videos take the longest, because most video conversions re-encode every frame.
Why is the FLAC file louder / quieter than the M4A source?
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The converter does not change the level: it has no gain or normalize setting. If you hear a difference, your player or media library is probably applying ReplayGain or its own volume levelling on playback; switch that off to hear the FLAC as it is.
Can I convert M4A streaming downloads to FLAC?
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If the M4A download is unprotected (no DRM), yes. DRM-encrypted streaming files (Spotify, Apple Music) are encrypted at the bit level and we can't process them. Sources from Bandcamp, SoundCloud download, and personal recordings convert fine.
