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Apple Music uses more mobile data when you stream in Lossless or Hi-Res Lossless because the higher-resolution audio stream carries more data than a lower-quality stream. Apple confirms that lossless streaming uses significantly more data, and that higher resolutions use more still. Apple does not publish a universal per-hour data figure, so your actual usage depends on the selected quality and listening time.
Why lossless audio uses more data
Lossless audio is compressed without discarding the original audio data; Apple Music uses Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). Keeping more of the audio information requires a larger stream than lower-quality options, so cellular data use rises when you stream lossless audio. Apple describes the difference and its data implications in its Apple Music lossless audio overview.
Apple defines Lossless as up to 24-bit/48 kHz and Hi-Res Lossless as up to 24-bit/192 kHz. These are maximum resolutions, not a promise that every track is available at those rates. Selecting a higher resolution uses more data, but Apple does not provide a standard number of megabytes or gigabytes per hour.
What changes when you choose a different quality
| Setting or format | Cellular streaming | Resolution | Download storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-quality option | Uses less data than lossless, according to Apple; exact usage is not stated. | Not stated in the cited Apple lossless documentation. | Uses less storage than lossless; exact amount is not stated. |
| Lossless | Uses significantly more data than lower-quality streaming; exact per-hour usage is not stated by Apple. | Up to 24-bit/48 kHz. | Uses more storage than lower-quality downloads; exact amount is not stated. |
| Hi-Res Lossless | Uses more data than lower resolutions; exact per-hour usage is not stated by Apple. | Up to 24-bit/192 kHz. | Uses more storage than lower-quality downloads; exact amount is not stated. |
The resolution limits and data tradeoffs are described in Apple’s lossless audio documentation. Storage figures are not specified there. Streaming consumes network data as audio is delivered; downloaded tracks occupy device storage instead.
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How to reduce cellular use without lowering home listening quality
On current iPhone software, Apple places these controls at Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality. The labels or path may differ on older iOS versions.
- Open Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality.
- Turn on Lossless Audio if you want lossless playback to remain available.
- Set Cellular Streaming to a lower quality to reduce mobile data use.
- Set Wi-Fi Streaming and Downloads separately to the quality you prefer.
Apple documents these controls in its iPhone guide to playing lossless audio. Because streaming and download quality are separate, you can lower cellular quality while keeping higher-quality playback on Wi-Fi or saving higher-quality tracks for offline listening.
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What lossless does—and does not—mean for headphones
Lossless streaming quality is not the same as lossless playback over every connection. Apple says AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Beats headphones use the AAC Bluetooth codec, so listening to Apple Music over Bluetooth is not lossless. Lossless can still increase the data used to receive the stream even when the Bluetooth connection does not preserve lossless audio.
On iPhone, playback above 48 kHz requires an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC), according to Apple’s lossless audio guidance. A DAC is relevant if you want to play supported Hi-Res Lossless audio through compatible wired equipment; it does not reduce cellular data consumption.
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
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- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
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