Apple Music has evolved into one of the most technically advanced streaming platforms available, offering audio formats that go far beyond standard compressed streaming. However, many iPhone users never experience these improvements because the necessary settings are disabled by default. Adjusting a few key options can unlock lossless audio, high-resolution tracks, and immersive Spatial Audio, bringing Apple Music much closer to studio-quality playback.
Understanding Apple Music Audio Formats
Apple Music delivers music in several different formats, each designed for a specific balance of quality, compatibility, and bandwidth. Standard streaming uses AAC compression, which sounds good but prioritizes efficiency over absolute fidelity. Lossless audio removes compression entirely, preserving the original recording quality. Hi-Res Lossless goes even further, offering higher sampling rates that appeal to listeners using professional or audiophile equipment.
Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos adds another layer, transforming compatible tracks into a three-dimensional soundstage that adapts to head movement when supported hardware is used. Each of these formats serves a different purpose, and knowing how they interact is key to getting the best experience.
How to Enable Lossless and Hi-Res Audio
Lossless audio is not active by default on iPhone, primarily to reduce data usage. Enabling it allows Apple Music to stream tracks exactly as they were mastered, without compression artifacts.
Settings > Music > Audio Quality > Lossless Audio
Once enabled, separate options appear for streaming, downloads, and cellular playback. For the best experience on Wi-Fi, set streaming to Lossless. Hi-Res Lossless is available as an option but requires external digital-to-analog converters and wired headphones to function correctly.
It’s important to understand that Bluetooth headphones cannot play true Lossless or Hi-Res Lossless audio due to bandwidth limitations. For wired listening, a compatible DAC is required to unlock the full quality Apple Music offers.
Configuring Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
Spatial Audio transforms compatible tracks into immersive mixes that place vocals and instruments around the listener rather than directly in front. Apple Music automatically enables Dolby Atmos on supported devices, but the behavior can be customized.
Settings > Music > Dolby Atmos
Setting Dolby Atmos to Automatic allows Apple Music to activate Spatial Audio when supported headphones are connected. Choosing Always On forces Atmos playback even when external equipment may not fully support it, which can sometimes result in uneven mixes.
For users with AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, Spatial Audio integrates seamlessly with head tracking, adjusting sound placement as the head moves. This feature works best in quiet environments and is particularly effective for live recordings and cinematic mixes.
Choosing the Right Headphones and Hardware
The quality of Apple Music playback depends heavily on the listening hardware. Wireless headphones are convenient, but they limit audio fidelity due to Bluetooth compression. Apple’s AirPods models offer an excellent Spatial Audio experience but do not support true lossless playback.
For users prioritizing pure sound quality, wired headphones paired with an external DAC provide the most accurate reproduction. Even Apple’s own Lightning-to-3.5 mm adapter supports lossless audio up to CD quality, making it a simple upgrade for wired listening.
Speaker playback also benefits from these settings, especially when using AirPlay-compatible speakers that support higher bitrates and Dolby Atmos.
Managing Downloads and Storage
Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless files are significantly larger than standard streams. Downloaded tracks can consume several times more storage, which makes selective downloading important.
Settings > Music > Downloaded Music > Optimize Storage
This allows iOS to manage storage intelligently, removing older downloads if space is needed. Users who want maximum quality without storage concerns may prefer streaming lossless audio over Wi-Fi rather than downloading large files.
Balancing quality and convenience ensures that Apple Music remains responsive while still delivering improved sound.
When Each Setting Makes Sense
Lossless audio shines when listening through wired headphones or high-quality speakers in quiet environments. Hi-Res Lossless is best reserved for dedicated listening sessions with proper hardware. Spatial Audio works particularly well for albums mixed specifically for Dolby Atmos, while traditional stereo remains preferable for some genres.
Apple Music’s strength lies in its flexibility. The platform allows users to tailor playback to their equipment and listening habits rather than forcing a single audio standard.
As Apple continues expanding its lossless and Spatial Audio catalog, these settings ensure that iPhone users are prepared to experience those improvements without needing new hardware or subscriptions.
