M4A to FLAC Converter – Free Online

How to Convert M4A to FLAC Online

Drop your M4A file

Drag and drop your .m4a file onto the box above, or click Choose Files. The request is already filled in: “Convert this to FLAC”.

Say how, if you want

The AI assistant uses sensible defaults. To choose the sample rate yourself, say so in the request, for example “Convert this to FLAC at 48 kHz”.

Save your FLAC file

The assistant opens with your file and converts it on your own device; the file itself is never uploaded. When the FLAC file is ready, click Save. Prefer to set everything by hand, or batch-convert several files into a ZIP? The classic converter is one click away on this page.

Why Convert M4A to FLAC?

Apple Lossless (ALAC) is the lossless format iTunes and Apple Music use for CD rips, but outside Apple's apps FLAC is far better supported by Android players, network streamers and portable hi-fi players. Converting ALAC M4A to FLAC is a lossless switch: both codecs decode to the same PCM samples.

An AAC M4A converts too, but FLAC cannot add back what AAC discarded, so do it only when a player or library tool insists on FLAC. Text tags such as title, artist and album are carried across; embedded album artwork is not.

Private by design: your M4A file is converted on your own device and never uploaded.
FLAC already asked for: the AI assistant's request says FLAC, so one drop does it. Want a particular sample rate? Just say so.
Batch friendly: the classic converter on this page takes several M4A files in one go and downloads them as a ZIP.
Free, no watermark: no sign-up, and nothing stamped on the output.

M4A vs FLAC

M4A (MPEG-4 Audio): M4A is audio-only MP4, normally holding AAC (or lossless ALAC). It is the native format of iTunes, Apple Music and iPhone Voice Memos and sounds better than MP3 at the same bitrate. It is best for Apple devices, iTunes and voice memos.

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec): FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) compresses audio to roughly half the size of WAV without discarding a single bit, so it decodes back to the identical original. It is best for lossless music libraries and audiophile listening.

In short: keep M4A when the priority is Apple devices, iTunes and voice memos, and switch to FLAC when the file is headed for lossless music libraries and audiophile listening. Need a different target? The full Audio Converter supports every format listed below.

M4A to FLAC FAQ

Is ALAC to FLAC truly lossless?

Yes. Both are lossless codecs, so the FLAC decodes to the same samples as the ALAC file. Keep the original sample rate in the settings (the default) and only the codec and container change.

Will my album artwork carry over?

No. Title, artist, album, genre and year are kept, but the converter does not copy embedded cover art. Add it back with a tag editor such as Mp3tag or MusicBrainz Picard.

Is this M4A to FLAC converter free?

Yes. Converting M4A to FLAC on MediaConverter.io is free, with no watermark and no sign-up. The AI assistant runs on a free daily allowance of assistant credits; the classic converter on this page has no daily limit at all.

Are my M4A files uploaded to a server?

No. The conversion runs inside your browser using FFmpeg compiled to WebAssembly, so your .m4a file is read and converted on your own device and never uploaded, which keeps private recordings private and means there is no waiting in an upload queue. The AI assistant only sees what you type and basic facts about the file: its name, format, duration and size.

Is there a file size limit for M4A to FLAC?

There is no plan or account limit, but the converter loads the whole M4A file into your browser's memory, so about 2 GB per file is the practical ceiling; larger files may fail to open. Long or high-resolution files also take longer, especially on phones.

Can I choose the FLAC settings myself?

Yes. Ask the AI assistant for a sample rate in your request. Audio track selection and every other setting are in the classic converter, one click away on this page.

Will converting M4A to FLAC reduce quality?

FLAC is a lossless format, so it stores the audio decoded from your M4A file without any further loss.

Which browsers support the M4A to FLAC converter?

It is built and tested on current desktop Chrome and Edge. The conversion itself runs in WebAssembly, which every current desktop browser supports, so speed depends mostly on your computer's processor.