If you use Apple Music daily and feel that Your music could sound much betterMost likely, you have several options misconfigured or simply untouched since installing the app. Apple offers very high sound quality, but many of these enhancements aren't enabled by default, so a large number of people are paying for a subscription to listen to unnecessarily compressed audio.
The good news is that, by spending a few minutes reviewing audio settings, equalization, and some "hidden" parameters, you can achieve Apple Music sounds much closer to how the music was mastered in the studioAnd if you also choose your headphones, speakers and playback devicesThe leap in quality is noticeable even if you're not an obsessive audiophile.
What is lossless audio on Apple Music and why does it matter?
Apple Music offers part of its catalog on lossless audio, also called LosslessThis basically means that the song retains all the information from the original studio recording, without removing any data for compression. To achieve this, Apple uses the ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), which preserves fine details such as reverberations, note tails, and the nuances of instruments and vocals.
The difference compared to standard compressed audio is most noticeable in well-recorded vocals, complex productions, orchestral music, jazz, and albums with meticulous mixing.It's not a brutal "before and after" with any cheap headphones, but when you listen calmly and with a minimally decent system you perceive better separation between instruments, wider soundstages and less "graininess" in the treble.
However, this extra quality comes at a price: lossless audio. Streaming uses more data and takes up considerably more space if you download songs.That's why Apple leaves it disabled by default, and it's up to you to decide when and how to use it based on your data plan and available storage.
How to enable lossless audio on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
To enjoy this improvement, the first thing to do is Activate lossless audio in Apple Music settingsThe process changes slightly depending on whether you use an iPhone/iPad or a Mac, but the logic is the same: choose streaming and download quality.
On iPhone and iPad you have to go to Settings > Music > Audio QualityThere you'll see the option to activate "Lossless Audio," and below that you can select the quality for mobile data, Wi-Fi, and downloads. It's generally best to use a more moderate quality with mobile data and the highest possible quality with Wi-Fi and for downloaded songs.
On Mac, the path is within the Music app: go to Music > Preferences (or Settings) > PlaybackFrom there you can also manage the streaming and download quality, enabling ALAC when needed. This is especially useful if you listen with good desktop speakers, external DAC or mid/high range headphones.
Keep in mind that, when increasing quality, A library downloaded in Lossless format can multiply in sizeIf you have limited storage space on your iPhone, you might want to keep only your favorite albums in this quality and leave the rest in standard quality to avoid overloading the storage.
Dolby Atmos and spatial audio: when to turn it on and what to expect
In addition to lossless audio, Apple Music incorporates Dolby Atmos and spatial audioDesigned to envelop you in music rather than just sounding in flat stereo. Here, the key isn't so much absolute fidelity as the feeling of three-dimensionality: instruments and voices seem to surround your head, with more air and depth.
The Dolby Atmos option is in the same audio quality settings on both iOS and macOS, and you can Set it to Automatic, Always On, or OffAutomatic mode attempts to detect if you are using compatible headphones or equipment to activate the effect only when it makes sense.
The experience is clearly improved if you use AirPods or compatible headphones With spatial audio, since Apple optimizes the processing for its own hardware. On regular speakers or basic Bluetooth headphones, the effect may be less impressive and even strange in some tracks.
It's also important to note that not all songs are mixed on Atmos; the platform is expanding its catalog, but there are specific genres and albums where The spatial mix is very carefully curated (current pop, electronica, soundtracks) and others where it barely contributes. It's worth trying some of the featured albums in "Spatial Audio" to decide if it suits your listening style.
Volume normalization (Sound Check / Volume Adjustment): why it's usually better to turn it off
One of the options that most affects the character of the music is the volume normalization, called “Volume Adjustment” in iOS and macOSIts mission is to adjust the intensity of the songs so that there are no large jumps in volume between different tracks, typical when you jump from a ballad to a metal song or from a classical song to a trap hit.
This feature seems convenient, but in return it may crush the dynamic range of the songs and add an extra processing stage. In recordings with little compression or a lot of dynamic range, normalization can introduce noise, slight distortion, or simply reduce the punch and contrast between soft and loud parts.
If you want to hear music as close as possible to what the mastering engineer recorded in the studio, the best thing to do is Turn off normalization and accept that you will have to raise and lower the volume from time to time.This is especially important in genres such as classical, jazz, well-produced rock, or any album intended to be listened to in its entirety.
To disable it on iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Music > Volume Adjustment and turn off the switch. In the Music app on your Mac, go to Playback > Audio quality settings And remove the equivalent option. You'll immediately notice that your playlists regain more contrast and energy, and the spatial audio breathes better too.
Equalization (EQ) in Apple Music: how to use it without ruining the mix
Apple Music includes a equalizer with multiple presets (Rock, Hip-Hop, Classical, Bass Boost, etc.) that you can use to adjust the sound character to your tastes or the type of headphones you have. It's available in the Music app settings on iOS and in the Music preferences on macOS.
Although it's tempting to choose very pronounced equalizations, it's best to proceed slowly: An aggressive EQ can ruin a good recordingOverdriving the bass, making the treble shrill, or drowning out vocals. The idea is to correct minor flaws in your headphones or your room, not to redo the sound engineer's work.
As a quick guide, you can try soft profiles according to style: for Rock and metal, slight enhancements in the mids and presenceFor electronic and trap music, a slight bass boost is ideal, but don't overdo it; for classical or acoustic music, use flatter, more natural settings. Ideally, if fidelity is important to you, start with the EQ off and only adjust it if you notice clear deficiencies.
Remember that these settings are global: They affect all the music you playIf you frequently change genres and devices, you might prefer to use it as little as possible and let the mastering process do its job.
What headphones and devices do you need to notice the improvement?
A very common question is to what extent it makes sense to worry about lossless audio if you're listening via Bluetooth. As of today, Apple Music's lossless audio is not fully transmitted over BluetoothNot even with AirPods. The wireless protocol still applies compression, so you'll only get "perfect lossless" with a cable or a suitable DAC.
That doesn't mean you won't notice anything: when you increase the quality of the source, even with Bluetooth It may slightly improve clarity and the way transients are handled.However, the difference is smaller than with a wired connection. If you want to get the best quality, the ideal solution is to use:
- Good quality wired headphonesconnected to the jack or a External DAC ALAC compatible.
- A USB amplifier or DAC connected to the Mac or iPhone (via adapter) to power demanding headphones.
- Desktop speakers or Hi-Fi system connected by cable to the device where you use Apple Music.
In the case of spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, the situation is different: Apple designed it specifically to work well with AirPods and other compatible headphones.including features like spatial audio with head tracking. Here you can have a spectacular experience even without using a cable, as long as the content is mixed correctly.
When is it worth activating the highest quality options?
It doesn't always make sense to have all the settings maxed out. Indiscriminately enabling Lossless and Atmos can skyrockets mobile data consumption and fills up your phone's memory with huge downloadsThat's why it's interesting to consider in which situations you want to prioritize quality and in which you prefer comfort.
For quiet sessions at home, with decent headphones or sound equipment, it's definitely worth it. Enable lossless audio and disable normalizationAdjusting the EQ moderately provides the perfect context to notice details, nuances in the mix, and a wider soundstage.
However, in the car, on public transport, or with small Bluetooth speakers, many of those improvements They go largely unnoticed due to the ambient noise and the limitations of the equipment.In those cases, you can lower the streaming quality using mobile data or leave Lossless only for WiFi, and use a standard quality that saves you from unpleasant surprises with your data plan.
The key is to adapt Apple Music to your actual usage: You don't always have to listen to everything in the highest qualityInstead, use the advanced options when they'll offer you something tangible. By tweaking a couple of menus, you can easily switch between "audiophile mode" at home and "practical mode" when you're out and about.
How to choose sound quality based on connection and downloads
Within the Apple Music settings, you'll find a specific section for Choose the sound quality based on the type of connectionThis allows you, for example, to have high quality over WiFi and something more moderate over mobile data so as not to max out your data allowance.
On iOS, in Settings > Music > Audio Quality you can:
- Enable or disable lossless audio globally.
- Choose the streaming quality using mobile data (for example, High but not Lossless).
- Configure WiFi quality (Here you can use Lossless or even Hi-Res Lossless if your equipment supports it).
- Define the quality of the downloadswhich is crucial if you're short on space.
On macOS, the logic is similar, although the menu path changes slightly. The important thing to know is that The control is very granular: you can have different levels for each context.This way, you don't have to sacrifice top quality at home, but you also don't waste data when using 4G or 5G.
If you're someone who downloads a lot of albums to listen to offline, check how much space your library is taking up from time to time. Lossless albums eat up storage space quite quicklySo you might want to leave only your favorite albums in that quality and the rest in standard high quality.
Extra tips and tricks within Apple Music for a better experience
Beyond sheer audio quality, Apple Music has several features that influence how and what you listen to, and it's worth knowing them if you want to get the most out of your subscription. It's not just about sounding good, but about... find music that suits you and control your library to your liking.
The section Listen (or “For You” in earlier versions) It's the heart of personalized recommendations. Here you'll see playlists based on your most-played artists and genres, automatically generated stations, selections of new releases, and a "New Releases" section tailored to what you usually listen to.
Something interesting is that Apple tries not to push genres on you that don't suit you.If almost everything you listen to is rock, it's likely the algorithm won't recommend reggaeton indiscriminately, but rather variations like progressive rock, hard rock, or other related subgenres. The algorithm isn't perfect, but it's usually quite accurate.
In the Exploring You'll find the opposite: charts by country, general new releases, radio stations, and themed playlists that don't depend so much on your listening history. It's the ideal place to step outside your musical bubble and discover things beyond your usual tastes without mixing these suggestions with your personal recommendations.
Library, artist, and playlist management
The way Apple Music organizes your library is a little different from other services: You don't "follow" the artists as suchInstead, they appear in your Artists section when you add their songs or albums to your library. If you want someone to be there, you have to save at least one of their songs or albums.
You can create custom playlists Both on desktop and mobile. On Mac, right-clicking in the sidebar lets you create a new playlist or playlist folder for better organization; on iOS, when you add a song, you can choose to create a new playlist on the fly.
Besides putting any name you want, it is possible change the cover of each listYou can upload an image from your computer or choose an alternative to the one Apple generates. You also have options to create smart playlists on your desktop, based on filters such as number of plays, date added, or rating.
Another useful detail is that you can convert your current playlist into a permanent playlistIn the desktop version, you open the queue, select all the songs, and add them to a new playlist. Very convenient when you've put together an impromptu sequence you don't want to lose.
Profiles, friends, and social recommendations
While not reaching the level of social networking of other services, Apple Music lets you Create a profile with a username and photo and follow other people to see what they're listening to. In your Listening section, you'll find a block of music played by your contacts, which acts as an impromptu human recommender.
When creating playlists you can decide if they are public or privatePublic playlists can be found using the search function and appear on your profile, while private playlists are reserved for you. This gives you the flexibility to share some playlists with friends or the world, and keep others for personal use.
use button I like (the heart) Your favorite songs help Apple Music refine its suggestions. In addition to considering what you play, the system gives significant weight to tracks you explicitly mark as liked.
Similarly, you can indicate that something doesn't convince you with options such as “I don’t like it” or “Suggest less of this style” in the context menu. It's a useful way to train the algorithm to focus less on genres or artists you're not interested in.
Lyrics, metadata, and additional content
When you're playing a song, there's usually a button to display lyrics synchronized with the musicThe lyrics will scroll as the song progresses. If there are no synchronized lyrics for that song, you'll at least see the full text if the artist or record label has provided it.
In the Mac app, right-clicking on a song lets you choose “Obtain information” to access the metadataTitle, artist, album, year, genre, illustration, etc. You can edit many of these fields, change covers, or even manually enter lyrics if they are missing; the changes are only reflected in your library, but they allow you to have everything more polished.
Apple Music also integrates a video clip and live performance systemIf you go to an artist's profile, you'll see a specific section of videos that you can play directly from the app without going to other platforms.
In your library there is a section for “Music Videos” This is where all the videos you've added are grouped, and in settings you can choose the playback resolution to manage data usage. Again, you can opt for higher quality over Wi-Fi and slightly lower quality when using mobile networks.
Add your own music, buy digital albums, and enjoy quality on Windows
If an album is missing from Apple Music due to licensing issues, you can always add your own music to the libraryIn iTunes for Windows you have the option to import files; in the Music app on Mac, the File menu offers a similar "Import" command.
Once added, those themes will They sync with your collection This allows you to listen to them on other devices associated with your Apple ID, mixed in with the service's catalog. It's especially useful for albums purchased in MP3 format, your own recordings, or editions that aren't available for streaming.
If you want a record or song to be yours forever, Apple still has the integrated iTunes StoreFrom an album's page you can choose "Show in iTunes Store" and buy it in digital format, although you will not usually get it in high resolution comparable to Apple Music's Lossless.
On Windows, the Apple Music experience is more limited: There isn't yet a native app that can match the macOS one.You have to use iTunes (which is quite slow) or the web version, and the quality is usually limited to around 256 kbps, even lower than what other services offer in their standard plans. Third-party clients like Cider improve the interface, but they don't completely solve this quality limitation.
Play history, statistics, and scrobbling
If you're ever listening on shuffle and you come across a song you loved but can't remember the name, you can view playback history both in the mobile and desktop apps. On iOS, you can find it by clicking the song queue icon; on Mac, there's a history tab in the current playlist.
On macOS, within the library, the section “Songs” lets you see how many times you’ve played each songIf you sort by the plays column, you'll discover your true favorites, those you might not have thought you listened to that much.
On the other hand, if you're a fan of overall statistics, Last.fm is still the go-to, but Apple Music does not include official integrationOn Windows and Android you can use the official Last.fm scrobbling apps; on iOS and Mac you must use third-party clients that act as a bridge.
On iPhone, one of the most used is MarvisProA paid alternative to Apple Music that greatly improves the interface and adds scrobbling. On Mac, there are options like NepTunes, also with paid versions, which are responsible for sending your plays to Last.fm to unify your statistics.
How to find and exploit the catalog in spatial audio and Atmos
Not all Dolby Atmos and spatial audio content is clearly highlighted, but there is a fairly straightforward way to access a curated selection of these albumsIn the search section, within “Explore categories”, you will see a category called “Spatial Audio”.
From there you can navigate to Albums, playlists, and selections from different genres, specifically prepared in Atmos.It's a good entry point to try out how your favorite music sounds with this type of mix, and decide on a case-by-case basis whether you prefer the traditional stereo version or the spatial one.
Note that Not all albums gain the same with Atmos.Some sound more open and detailed; others, however, can sound somewhat artificial or with vocals that seem too "floating in the air." That's why it's advisable to compare versions and choose the one that sounds most natural to you for each album.
At this point, rather than following a fixed rule, the ideal is to use your own ears and your usual equipment. The best Apple Music setup is the one that balances fidelity, convenience, and personal taste.not just the one with all the highest quality buttons.
With all these settings finely tuned—lossless audio where it makes sense, Dolby Atmos where it adds value, normalization disabled to preserve dynamics, moderate equalization, and the use of good headphones or speakers—Apple Music can transform from a simple background service into a platform where your favorite albums They are much closer to how they were conceived in the studioAnd your subscription ceases to be underutilized, becoming a tool truly designed to enjoy music.
