How to get Hi‑Res Apple Music on your phone (DAC guide)

Apple Music offers Lossless streaming (CD quality at 16‑bit/44.1kHz) and Hi‑Res Lossless up to 24‑bit/192kHz at no extra cost. However, to enjoy the full quality on a phone you usually need extra hardware — typically a portable DAC (digital‑to‑analog converter) or a wired connection to headphones/speakers.

Quick facts

• Apple Music tiers: Lossless = 16‑bit/44.1kHz; Hi‑Res Lossless = up to 24‑bit/192kHz.
• iPhones do not support aptX Bluetooth codecs (they use AAC/Apple codecs).

Recommended portable DACs (2025)

• iFi GO Blu DAC/Headphone Amp — compact, Bluetooth + wired, balanced outputs, long battery life.
• iFi Go Link — USB‑C dongle with Lightning adapter, DSD256 & MQA support.
• AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt — tiny plug‑and‑play DAC, widely popular for clarity and compatibility.
• iFi hip‑dac3 — lightweight, balanced output, excellent for mobile hi‑fi listening.
• DUNU DTC‑480 — budget‑friendly dongle with warm signature and balanced outputs.

Why a DAC matters

A DAC converts digital music from your phone into analog sound. Many phones’ internal DACs/top audio interfaces are limited (often 44.1 or 48kHz), so a separate DAC that supports higher sample rates and bit depths can reproduce Hi‑Res files more faithfully. For true hi‑fi listening, wired headphones (or wireless headphones that support compatible high‑res codecs) are usually required.

About adapters and Bluetooth

• Cheap Lightning/USB‑C adapters often only support up to 48kHz/24‑bit. Active dongles with built‑in DACs may support higher rates — check device specs.
• Bluetooth limits depend on codecs. AptX (and variants like aptX HD/Adaptive/Lossless) and LDAC can deliver higher‑quality streams but both source and headphones must support the same codec. iPhones don’t support aptX.

Next steps

If you want personalized recommendations, tell us what phone and headphones you have and whether you prefer wired or wireless — we’ll suggest the best DAC or gear to suit your setup.

Originally reported on Engadget (article referenced; link removed).