Enhancing Audio Quality in Apple Music: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Apple Music stands out for its extensive cross-platform compatibility. Native applications are accessible on iOS and macOS, but users can also find well-designed versions for Android, Windows, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. The features available across different platforms remain largely consistent. While Android users may miss the karaoke function found on iOS, they’ll still have access to essential features, including lossless audio streaming. An equalizer feature is included as well, allowing users to further customize their listening experience. With high-quality audio enabled, Apple Music competes strongly as an alternative to Spotify.

Apple Music provides two levels of lossless audio, with the standard setting streaming at CD quality—24-bits at 48kHz. This quality is optimal for most consumer headphones and earbuds, especially those connected via Bluetooth. Users can opt for the even higher Hi-Res Lossless setting, which delivers 24-bits at 192kHz, but this is more suitable for audiophiles with specialized equipment.

Lossless audio isn’t activated by default due to increased data usage, so it needs to be manually enabled in the settings across devices. Users can also disable lossless playback if they prefer to save data or lack compatible playback devices. While the process is simple, it can be easily overlooked. Below are instructions for adjusting audio quality in Apple Music.

iOS:

1. Open the Settings app, then select Apps followed by Music.
2. In the Audio section, choose Audio Quality and toggle on Lossless Audio for high-res streaming.
3. Select your preferred quality settings for Wi-Fi, cellular data, and music downloads from the same screen.

To adjust the equalizer, navigate to Settings > Apps > Music and tap EQ in the Audio section. Choose a preset to modify the EQ settings.

Android:

1. Launch the Apple Music app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then select Settings.
3. Tap Audio Quality.
4. Turn on the toggle next to Lossless Audio.

Set your audio quality preferences for both Wi-Fi and cellular as well as for local downloads. Enabling Hi-Res Lossless will prompt a warning about needing specific hardware. Click OK to confirm.

Note that, unlike Android, iOS doesn’t support high-resolution Bluetooth codecs. Android users can enjoy Lossless audio quality with compatible wireless headphones, while iPhone users are limited to wired devices unless they use a high-res Bluetooth adapter.

macOS:

1. Open the Apple Music app.
2. Select Music from the menu bar and then click Settings.
3. Navigate to the Playback tab at the top.
4. Check the box next to Enable lossless audio if it’s not already marked.

Windows 11:

1. Launch the Apple Music app.
2. Click the three-dot menu next to the Apple Music logo and select Settings.
3. From the dropdown menus in the Streaming and Downloads sections, select your desired audio quality. The first controls streaming quality, while the latter influences downloaded songs’ quality. You might need to confirm your choice for Lossless or High Resolution Lossless.

An equalizer is also available in the Apple Music desktop apps. Both platforms offer a ten-band EQ with various presets, a preamp, and the option to save custom settings as new presets. On Windows, find it in the three-dot menu; on Mac, access it via Window > Equalizer.