How to convert FLAC to ALAC with tags and cover art images

For audio enthusiasts who care deeply about preserving sound quality, FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) are popular choices. While FLAC is widely used and supported across various platforms, Apple devices favor ALAC for native compatibility, especially within the iTunes environment and on iOS devices. If you need to convert FLAC files to ALAC while retaining metadata such as song title, artist info, album details, and cover art, this guide will walk you through the process in detail.

Why Convert from FLAC to ALAC?

The primary reason users convert FLAC to ALAC is device compatibility. Apple’s ecosystem supports ALAC files natively, meaning these files can be added to iTunes libraries, synced to iPhones and iPads, and played within macOS and iOS without needing extra apps or plugins.

Although both FLAC and ALAC offer the same level of compression and audio fidelity, Apple devices do not support FLAC playback natively in many cases. Therefore, converting to ALAC is the most practical option for users deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem.

Tools You’ll Need

There are several reliable tools for converting FLAC to ALAC while preserving tags and album art. Some popular ones include:

• XLD (MacOS)
• dBpoweramp Music Converter (Windows and MacOS)
• ffmpeg (Cross-platform, command-line based)

Each tool has features that allow for accurate metadata transfer, including embedded cover art, track numbers, and album information.

Step-by-Step Conversion Using XLD

1. Download and install XLD
Visit the official XLD website and install the latest version. It’s a lightweight and free solution designed for high-quality audio conversions on macOS.

2. Set output format
Open XLD and navigate to the settings panel. Under the output format dropdown menu, select Apple Lossless.

3. Drag your FLAC files
Drag and drop the FLAC files or entire folder into the XLD window. The program will detect the files and prepare them for conversion.

4. Start conversion
Click the start button. XLD will handle the conversion and automatically retain metadata including artist, album, track titles, and most importantly, album artwork.

Preserving Tags and Album Art

Maintaining metadata is crucial for music collectors and audiophiles. When using tools like XLD and dBpoweramp, make sure the files being converted already contain the correct tags. You can use tag editors like Meta (macOS), Mp3tag (Windows), or Kid3 (cross-platform) to edit this data before conversion, ensuring no details are lost in transition.

Also, ensure your converter is configured to embed cover art during the conversion. Most converters display an option to embed or preserve album artwork.

Alternative Method: Using ffmpeg

For advanced users, ffmpeg offers a powerful command-line solution. Here’s a basic example:

ffmpeg -i input.flac -c:a alac -map_metadata 0 -map 0 output.m4a

This command tells ffmpeg to use ALAC as the audio codec, map metadata from the input file, and output to M4A (Apple’s container compatible with ALAC format).

Post-Conversion Tips

• Playback Test: Open the converted ALAC file in iTunes or your Apple Music app to ensure proper playback and metadata retention.
• Backup Metadata: Before bulk conversions, test with a small batch of files to confirm that all tag data and artwork is correctly retained.
• Check File Properties: Use a tag editor or media information tool to verify that cover art, track names, and other tags have been preserved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Will I lose audio quality when converting FLAC to ALAC?
  A: No. Both FLAC and ALAC are lossless formats. There’s no loss in audio fidelity when converting between them.
• Q: Can ALAC files store album artwork?
  A: Yes, ALAC in an M4A container can store embedded album art, just like FLAC.
• Q: Which tool is best for converting entire albums?
  A: dBpoweramp is highly recommended for batch album conversions due to its metadata accuracy and batch processing capabilities.
• Q: Do I need to re-tag files after converting?
  A: If the converter preserves metadata (and your original FLAC files were correctly tagged), there’s usually no need to re-tag anything.
• Q: Can I convert FLAC to ALAC on my iPhone?
  A: While possible via some third-party apps, it’s more efficient and reliable to convert the files on a computer first before transferring them to your mobile device.

With the right tools and a few minutes of setup, converting FLAC to ALAC while retaining all important metadata and artwork is simple and ensures seamless playback on all Apple devices.