Convert M4P to FLAC — Free Online Converter
Convert iTunes Protected AAC (.m4p) to Free Lossless Audio Codec (.flac) online for free. Fast, secure audio conversion with no watermarks or registra...
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How to Convert
Upload your .m4p file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .flac file when it's ready.
About M4P to FLAC Conversion
M4P is Apple's DRM-protected iTunes format using lossy AAC compression, while FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is the open-source lossless standard maintained by the Xiph.org Foundation. Converting M4P to FLAC decodes the AAC audio and re-encodes it using FLAC's lossless compression, preserving every decoded sample without any additional quality loss.
This conversion is popular among users migrating away from Apple's ecosystem toward open-source audio formats. FLAC is the de facto lossless standard on Linux, Android, and most non-Apple platforms. Audiophiles and archivists prefer FLAC for its open specification, error detection via MD5 checksums, and broad support in players like foobar2000, VLC, and Kodi.
Why Convert M4P to FLAC?
FLAC is universally supported outside the Apple ecosystem. Android plays FLAC natively, every Linux distribution includes FLAC support, and Windows handles FLAC through built-in codecs since Windows 10. If you are moving away from Apple devices or building a cross-platform music library, FLAC is the lossless format with the broadest non-Apple compatibility.
FLAC also offers better tooling for music library management. Its Vorbis comment metadata system is flexible and standardized, ReplayGain tags are natively supported, and tools like Picard, beets, and foobar2000 handle FLAC tagging and organization effortlessly. For users who want to maintain a well-organized lossless library outside iTunes, FLAC is the natural choice.
Common Use Cases
- Migrate an iTunes M4P library to FLAC for cross-platform lossless playback
- Build a Linux or Android music library from old iTunes purchases in a natively supported format
- Archive decoded iTunes audio in an open-source format with MD5 integrity verification
- Prepare old iTunes music for streaming via Plex, Jellyfin, or other DLNA media servers
- Create lossless working copies for audio editing in non-Apple DAWs like Audacity or Ardour
How It Works
FFmpeg decodes the AAC stream from the unprotected M4P container and re-encodes it using the FLAC encoder. FLAC compression levels range from 0 (fastest, largest) to 8 (slowest, smallest), with level 5 as the default. The codec uses linear prediction, Rice coding, and frame-level MD5 checksums. Output files are typically 40-60% the size of equivalent uncompressed WAV/AIFF, with compression ratio depending on the audio content complexity.
Quality & Performance
FLAC losslessly preserves the decoded AAC audio — every sample is bit-for-bit identical to the decoded M4P output. However, the quality ceiling is set by the original AAC encoding. A 128 kbps M4P has already discarded high-frequency information and stereo detail; FLAC stores what remains without further degradation. For 256 kbps iTunes Plus sources, the FLAC output is perceptually transparent to the original recording.
Device Compatibility
| Device | M4P | FLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Native |
| Linux | Partial | Native |
| Web Browser | No | No |
Recommended Settings by Platform
Spotify
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 320 kbps
OGG Vorbis preferred
Apple Music
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 256 kbps
AAC format required
SoundCloud
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 128 kbps
Lossless FLAC/WAV for best quality
Podcast
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 128 kbps
MP3 mono for spoken word
Tips for Best Results
- 1Use FLAC compression level 5 for the best balance of speed and file size
- 2Transfer metadata from M4P to FLAC using MusicBrainz Picard or beets after conversion
- 3FLAC is the best archival format for non-Apple ecosystems — use it for long-term preservation
- 4Verify DRM removal before batch converting; iTunes Match upgrades are the easiest legal path
- 5Keep original M4P files as backup until you verify the FLAC library is complete and tagged correctly
M4P to FLAC is the ideal conversion for users leaving Apple's ecosystem. You get lossless preservation of your decoded audio in the most widely supported open-source format, with excellent metadata and integrity verification tools.