Free online ALAC to AU converter

Source format: alac

ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless audio format used to store music without quality loss compared with the original recording. It is commonly found in Apple ecosystems, including iTunes, Music, iPhone, iPad, and macOS libraries. ALAC is often used for archiving CDs, preserving studio masters, and keeping high-quality audio in a compact file size.

Target format: au

AU is an older audio container format originally associated with Sun and Unix systems. It is simple, widely recognized by many audio tools, and can store uncompressed or lightly compressed audio depending on the encoding used. AU is useful for compatibility with legacy software, Unix-based workflows, and some technical or embedded audio applications.

How to perform the conversion

The most reliable way to convert ALAC to AU is with a desktop audio tool that can decode ALAC and export AU, such as FFmpeg or Audacity. If you want a quick browser-based option, you can convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing any software.

Method 1: FFmpeg

1. Install FFmpeg on your computer.
2. Open a terminal or command prompt.
3. Run a command like ffmpeg -i input.m4a output.au or ffmpeg -i input.alac output.au.
4. Check the output file in an audio player or editor that supports AU.

If you need to control the audio encoding more precisely, you can specify the sample format or codec supported by AU. For example, some workflows use PCM output for maximum compatibility.

Method 2: Audacity

1. Open the ALAC file in Audacity.
2. Wait for the audio to import and decode.
3. Choose File → Export → Export Audio.
4. Select AU as the output format if available, then save the file.

Method 3: 101convert.com

1. Open the conversion page for ALAC to AU.
2. Upload your ALAC file.
3. Start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting AU file when it is ready.

Quality, compatibility, and limitations

ALAC is lossless, so the conversion itself does not need to reduce quality. However, AU compatibility depends on the audio encoding inside the container. Many AU files use PCM, so if your source ALAC is converted to a different sample rate, bit depth, or channel layout, the output may not match the original exactly in technical properties even though the audio remains clean.

Because AU is an older format, it is not as universally supported as WAV or MP3 in consumer software. Some players may open it without issue, while others may not. For best compatibility, use standard PCM settings when exporting. Also note that metadata support in AU is limited compared with modern formats, so tags such as album art, lyrics, and rich metadata may be lost during conversion.

If your goal is simple playback on modern devices, AU is usually chosen only when a specific application or legacy system requires it. If you need broader compatibility, consider whether another output format would be more practical.