While the HomePod and QuickTime player support FLAC, iTunes is still not.

The FLAC format compatibility in the latest versions of Apple devices and operating systems has been greatly improved. While both the HomePod, the Files app, and the QuickTime player on macOS support the FLAC format, the iTunes management app still isn't, preventing users from enjoying this type of format that offers us much more quality than the traditional MP3 format.

As we can see in the specifications that have been published of the HomePod on its website, now that its launch date is official, we can see how in the technical data this device supports the FLAC format. As usual, it is and will remain a mystery why Apple does not offer support for this format since it reached version 1.3 and its use became popular in 2013.

Files in FLAC format can be played through the QuickTime player on macOS, however, the use of VLC is much better, including list management and when providing details, an option that is not available through the native macOS player. The FLAC format reduces the volume occupied by music on a CD by up to 50%, depending on the tracks and the encoding options we set.

Apple's lossless format, ALAC, offers us similar audio quality, but it is not compatible with most third party players. Obviously this format similar to FLAC, owned by Apple, is compatible with iTunes. The first version of iOS 11 that supports this format is iOS 11, allowing us to play this format from the Files application directly with the default player of the eleventh version of iOS.


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