To change Apple Music audio quality, open the app’s audio or playback settings, turn on Lossless Audio if you want it, then choose separate quality levels for streaming and downloads. The menu differs by device: iPhone uses the iOS Settings app, Android uses Apple Music’s More menu, and Mac and Windows use Playback settings.
What Apple Music quality settings mean
Apple Music’s quality setting affects the format used for streaming or downloaded tracks; selecting the highest option does not upgrade a song that is not available in that format. Apple’s catalog includes ALAC lossless encodings, but availability varies by track. Look for the Lossless or Hi-Res Lossless badge on a supported track. Apple describes ALAC as “a lossless compression format that preserves all of the original data in the file.” See Apple’s overview of lossless audio in Apple Music.
| Choice | What to know |
|---|---|
| High Quality | The non-lossless option. Apple’s cited lossless overview does not state a specific bit depth or sample rate for this choice. |
| Lossless | Up to 24-bit/48 kHz, according to Apple Support’s current guide accessed in 2026. |
| Hi-Res Lossless | Up to 24-bit/192 kHz, according to Apple Support’s current guide accessed in 2026. Above 48 kHz, iPhone requires an external DAC; other devices may also require one. |
Streaming quality and download quality are independent settings. You can, for example, choose a higher setting when streaming over Wi-Fi but a lower one for downloads to conserve storage. On iPhone, cellular and Wi-Fi streaming quality can also be set separately. Higher-quality playback can use more data and downloaded files can take more storage; the actual result depends on the track and settings.
Change audio quality on iPhone
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps, then Music.
- Tap Audio Quality.
- Turn on Lossless Audio if you want lossless playback.
- Choose a quality for streaming and for downloads. Set cellular and Wi-Fi streaming separately if those options are shown.
Apple notes that “The audio quality of streamed music depends on song availability, network conditions, and the capability of connected headphones or speakers.” See Apple’s iPhone guide to playing lossless audio. Settings labels may differ with iOS versions.
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Change audio quality on Android
- Open the Apple Music app.
- Tap More, then Settings.
- Tap Audio Quality.
- Turn on Lossless if desired.
- Choose the quality for streaming and downloads.
Android menu labels and available choices can vary by app version and device. Apple Music subscription and regional availability apply.
Change audio quality on Mac
- Open the Music app.
- From the menu bar, choose Music > Settings.
- Open Playback.
- Enable Lossless Audio, then set Streaming and Download quality as needed.
Apple documents these controls in Change Playback settings in Music on Mac. The Playback pane also contains a separate Dolby Atmos setting.
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Change audio quality on Windows
- Open the Apple Music app.
- Open Sidebar Actions, then choose Settings.
- Select Playback.
- Enable Lossless audio, then choose Streaming and Download quality.
See Apple’s Windows Playback settings guide. Dolby Atmos is also configured in Playback; Windows playback requires Dolby Access. Apple’s instructions are at Play Dolby Atmos in Music on Windows.
Choose settings that fit your listening setup
- For ordinary Bluetooth listening: Do not expect lossless audio over Bluetooth AirPods. Apple says AirPods use the AAC Bluetooth codec. A wired connection is the straightforward route for lossless playback.
- For Lossless up to 48 kHz: iPhone can play through wired headphones, receivers, powered speakers, or its built-in speakers. The outcome still depends on the connected equipment.
- For Hi-Res Lossless above 48 kHz: An external DAC is required on iPhone. For Android and computers, requirements depend on the device; Apple advises checking the manufacturer, and a DAC may be needed.
- When data, storage, or connection stability matters: Choose streaming and download settings independently rather than automatically selecting the maximum quality for both.
Lossless features require an Apple Music subscription, and availability can vary by region. An external DAC is only relevant for certain high-resolution playback setups; it is not required just to change the setting or to use standard Lossless.
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Dolby Atmos is a separate setting
Dolby Atmos is spatial audio, not a higher tier of Lossless. On Mac and Windows, Playback settings offer Automatic, Always On, and Off. Some playback controls also let you change the Atmos setting while a song is playing. Atmos requires a supported track and compatible playback setup; a Dolby icon identifies supported tracks. For Mac instructions, see Apple’s guide to Dolby Atmos in Music on Mac.
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