alac

.alac — Apple Lossless Audio Codec

Apple Inc. · 2004

Developer

Apple Inc.

Key Features

Lossless storage behavior for typical audio workflows
Common MIME type: audio/x-m4a
Recognizable file signature: N/A (Identified by metadata within MP4 container)
Associated with Apple Inc.

Best For

Listening across devices
Portable sharing
Streaming-friendly audio

Less Ideal For

Multi-track session editing
Complex project packaging
Image or document workflows

Common Use Cases

Music playback
Podcasts and spoken recordings
Sharing sound files online

How to Open It

On Windows, open the file with VLC Media Player or Foobar2000.
On macOS, open the file with Apple Music/iTunes or VLC Media Player.
If the file does not open, confirm that the extension really matches .alac and that the download or transfer completed without corruption.

What is a .alac file?

Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) is an audio compression format developed by Apple. It is a lossless codec, meaning that no audio quality is lost during compression or decompression. ALAC is commonly used for storing high-fidelity audio files on Apple devices and is supported by various audio players and software.

Programs That Open .alac Files

Platform	Program
Windows	VLC Media Player	Free
	Foobar2000	Free
	iTunes	Paid	Official
macOS	Apple Music/iTunes	Paid	Official
	VLC Media Player	Free
	QuickTime Player	Free	Official

Common Problems with .alac Files

⚠️ ALAC file won't play on an older device.

Ensure the device supports ALAC or convert the file to a more widely compatible format like AAC or MP3.

⚠️ ALAC file sounds distorted or corrupted.

Try re-downloading the file or using a different player. If the issue persists, the file may be damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main advantage of ALAC over other audio formats?▼

The main advantage of ALAC is that it is lossless, meaning you get the exact same audio quality as the original source, but with a smaller file size compared to uncompressed formats like WAV.

Is ALAC compatible with non-Apple devices?▼

Yes, ALAC is an open format and is supported by many third-party software and hardware players, including VLC, Foobar2000, and various Android applications.

How does ALAC compare to AAC?▼

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is a lossy format, meaning some audio data is discarded to achieve smaller file sizes. ALAC is lossless, preserving all original audio data, but resulting in larger files than AAC.

Technical Details

ALAC files are typically contained within an MP4 container. The header signature for ALAC is not a distinct magic byte sequence but is identified by specific metadata tags within the MP4 container, often related to 'alac' or 'apple-lossless'.

Did You Know?

ALAC was originally released by Apple in 2004 and was only available as part of iTunes until it was open-sourced in 2011.

While developed by Apple, ALAC files can be played on a wide variety of non-Apple devices and software.

Security Information

ALAC files are generally considered safe and do not pose a significant security risk. As with any file, avoid downloading from untrusted sources to prevent potential malware.