Convert FLAC to M4A online and play lossless albums in Apple Music and on iPhone, with tags and artwork kept. Upload files up to 20GB and download the converted result in a few clicks.
Convert M4A to FLACDrag & Drop your FLAC file here
FLAC files, up to 20GB
Files stay private.
Automatically deleted after 24 hours.
Link
20GB upload limit.
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HOW IT WORKS
Three steps, no account, nothing to install.
01
Upload the FLAC files
Drag and drop your FLAC files or select them from your device. 16-bit and 24-bit files are accepted.
02
Convert to M4A
Keep M4A as the output and start. The audio is encoded as AAC at 256 kbps for stereo or 128 kbps for mono.
03
Download the M4A
Save each M4A when it is ready, or download a whole album together as a ZIP.
FLAC
FLAC is a lossless audio format that reduces file size without discarding decoded audio data. It is popular for music archives, CD rips and high-resolution downloads, but Apple Music and iTunes do not import it.
M4A
M4A is an audio-only MPEG-4 file, usually holding AAC audio. It is the format of iTunes Store purchases and plays in Apple Music and on iPhone, Mac, Android and Windows, as well as in web browsers.
FILE FORMATS
SOURCE
The Free Lossless Audio Codec was released by Xiph.Org in 2001 and is the standard for lossless music downloads and CD archives. It typically shrinks audio to 50 to 60% of WAV size, decodes back to the exact original samples, supports up to 32-bit and high sample rates, and carries full tags and cover art.
TARGET
M4A is an MPEG-4 audio file, usually AAC and sometimes Apple Lossless, with iTunes-style tags and album art. It is the format of iTunes Store music, iPhone voice memos and Apple Music libraries, and Android, Windows and browsers play it too. At the same bitrate, AAC in M4A sounds better than MP3.
| Feature | FLAC | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Developed by | Xiph.Org | Apple / MPEG |
| File extension | .flac | .m4a |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy (AAC) or lossless (ALAC) |
| Size vs uncompressed WAV | About 1/2 | About 1/10 (AAC) |
| Tags and cover art | Full tags and cover art | iTunes tags and cover art |
| Best for | Lossless music and archives | Apple Music and iPhone libraries |
| Plays on phones and browsers | Most phones and browsers | Yes, most devices |
USE CASES
Practical workflows where FLAC to M4A conversion is useful.
Add FLAC albums to Apple Music
Apple Music and iTunes do not import FLAC. Convert the album to M4A and drag it into your library.
Fit a high-resolution collection on an iPhone
24-bit 96 to 192 kHz FLAC becomes 48 kHz AAC at 256 kbps, a fraction of the original size.
Sync music to an iPod
iPod classic and iPod nano play AAC but not FLAC. Convert the tracks before syncing.
Keep album art and tags in Apple Music
Vorbis-comment tags, including non-Latin text, become iTunes tags, and the front cover becomes the album art.
Listen to surround FLAC in stereo
5.1 and 7.1 FLAC files are mixed down to stereo M4A for headphones and ordinary speakers.
Make listening copies of Bandcamp downloads
Keep the FLAC download as your archive and put the M4A copy on your phone.
Send a track to a friend with an iPhone
An M4A is small enough for messaging and plays in Apple Music without extra apps.
Play FLAC albums through CarPlay
CarPlay plays music from the iPhone's Music app, which does not take FLAC. M4A copies synced to the phone play in the car.
Convert mono recordings
Mono FLAC recordings, such as lectures or old radio shows, stay mono at 128 kbps.
Bring CD rips into the Apple ecosystem
CD rips made with tools like Exact Audio Copy are often FLAC. M4A copies go into Apple Music for everyday listening.
SUPPORTED FILES
FLAC files of any common bit depth and sample rate are supported.
16-bit, 44.1 kHz albums from CD rips and downloads.
24-bit files at 96 to 192 kHz become 48 kHz AAC.
Vorbis-comment tags and the embedded front cover become iTunes tags and album art.
5.1 and 7.1 files are mixed down to stereo.
Upload every track and download the M4A files together as a ZIP.
TROUBLESHOOTING
These explain most surprises when moving from lossless to AAC.
01
This converter writes AAC at 256 kbps, the iTunes Plus quality, not ALAC. Keep the FLAC files if you need lossless copies.
02
AAC in M4A is written at 48 kHz for high-resolution sources. The audible range is unaffected.
03
Only a front cover embedded in the FLAC carries over. Covers stored as separate folder.jpg files don't.
04
Check that track-number tags were set in the FLAC files, then re-add the album.
05
5.1 and 7.1 FLAC is mixed down to stereo in the M4A.
06
The FLAC is damaged or isn't really FLAC. Download or rip it again.
Audacity, foobar2000, fre:ac and Apple's Music app can all convert audio once they are installed and set up. dragdropdo is built for turning FLAC into M4A quickly, from any device.
| What matters | dragdropdo | Desktop Audio Converters |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing to install | ✓Yes. Runs in any modern browser. | ~Yes, a download, and sometimes an extra encoder or codec. |
| Works on phones and tablets | ✓Yes. Desktop, Android, iPhone and iPad. | ~Mostly desktop only. |
| Batch conversion | ✓Yes. Add many files and download one ZIP. | ~Varies. foobar2000 and fre:ac batch well; Audacity needs macros. |
| Share finished files | ✓Yes. Send a unique link from the result page. | ~You upload and share the files yourself. |
| Pricing | ✓Free with daily limits. $2.99 or $6.99 passes for unlimited use, no monthly plan. | ~Mostly free (Audacity, foobar2000, fre:ac). |
| Choosing bitrate and settings | ✓Fixed, high-quality settings chosen for M4A. | ~Yes. Most let you choose bitrate, sample rate and channels. |
Other tools use different pricing, limits and workflows. This comparison describes dragdropdo's own features without assuming every other tool works the same way.
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WHY DRAGDROPDO
Convert FLAC to M4A in your browser, with nothing to install and nothing kept after 24 hours.
Private by default
Files are encrypted in transit and deleted from our servers automatically after 24 hours.
No install required
Convert in any modern browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone or iPad. No app and no sign-up wall.
Big files and batches
Upload files up to 20GB each, add several at once, and download the results one by one or as a ZIP.
Share & download
Save finished files to your device or pass them on with a share link from the result page.
MORE FLAC TOOLS
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a popular audio format that compresses music without losing quality. Ideal for audiophiles, FLAC preserves the original sound integrity while reducing file size, making it perfect for digital music libraries and high-resolution audio. With widespread support across devices and software, FLAC is the go-to choice for lossless audio compression.
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FAQ
Answers to common questions about dragdropdo's FLAC to M4A converter.
