Free online AIF to ALAC converter

Source format: AIF

AIF (Audio Interchange File Format) is an older uncompressed audio format developed by Apple. It is commonly associated with classic Mac systems and professional audio workflows. AIF files often store high-quality PCM audio and may include metadata such as loop points or markers. They are used in music production, sound design, archiving, and legacy audio exchange where preserving original audio quality matters.

Target format: ALAC

ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless compressed audio format designed by Apple. It preserves the full original audio quality while reducing file size compared with uncompressed formats like AIF. ALAC is widely supported in Apple devices and software, and it is a good choice for long-term storage, portable libraries, and playback in the Apple ecosystem.

How to perform the conversion

The best approach is to use a desktop audio converter or editor that supports both formats, such as iTunes/Music on macOS, ffmpeg, or Audacity with export support.

Using ffmpeg is often the most reliable method for a direct conversion:

ffmpeg -i input.aif -c:a alac output.m4a

This creates an ALAC-encoded file in an .m4a container, which is the most common way ALAC is stored.

Using Apple Music or iTunes on macOS or Windows:

1. Import the .aif file into the library.
2. Open Settings → Files → Import Settings and choose Apple Lossless Encoder.
3. Select the AIF track, then use File → Convert → Create Apple Lossless Version.
4. The new ALAC file will appear in the library, usually as .m4a.

Using Audacity:

1. Open the .aif file in Audacity.
2. Choose File → Export → Export Audio.
3. Select Apple Lossless if available in your build, or export to a lossless intermediate and convert with ffmpeg.

You can also convert the file on 101convert.com for free, without installing any software.

Notes on quality, compatibility, and limitations

AIF to ALAC is a lossless-to-lossless workflow only if the source AIF is PCM audio; the audio data is preserved exactly, but the file becomes smaller. If the AIF contains compressed audio or unusual legacy encoding, compatibility may vary and a re-encode may be required.

ALAC is typically stored in an M4A container, not as a standalone .alac file. Some players may show the file as .m4a even though the codec is ALAC. Metadata such as artist, album, and track number is usually preserved, but specialized AIF markers or loop data may not transfer perfectly in every tool.

If you need maximum compatibility with Apple devices and modern media players, ALAC is an excellent choice. If you need to preserve the exact original AIF container structure for archival purposes, keep a copy of the original file as well.