Does the Match feature of Apple Music change files I import as lossless to their compressed AAC format?

Hi,

Your lossless files in your music library on your computer are not changed automatically by Apple Music. You would need to take specific action to change the files on your computer . For example, if you opt to remove download, the matched tracks will show as 256 Kbps and if you download you get that version. Likewise you get the transcribed 256 Kbps version for uploaded tracks.

As you are already aware tracks on other devices will be 256 Kbps. I use match and In my library, I have matched tracks that if have not modified and are still 320 Kbps mp3, Apple lossless or AIFF. These tracks are 256 Kbps on my other devices.

As already mentioned, keep a separate back up of your lossless files..

Jim

This is what I experienced:

with Apple Music in OS Catalina on a new MacBook, all my iTunes library AIFF files in OS Mojave on an older MacBook were changed to AAC files in my Apple Music library and on the hard drive.

Here is what I have learned:

1] iCloud Music Library is not meant for backups. Always keep a backup of your original files;

2] you have very little control over how Apple Music handles your music in the cloud with iCloud Music Library turned on. To keep (for example, AIFF versions) you would have to sync to your devices manually from the original AIFF files, or use a cloud-based service that would allow you to upload and play your original file from the cloud;

Hope that helps.

My reply was based on the following:

I have had an Apple Music Subscription for years;

I have never had an iTunes Match subscription.

Also, I have been told this about my experience: "...strange. Normally you have to convert the files manually. Haven't heard of any automatic conversions."

For me with OS Catalina, once I import a song(s) from a CD in AIFF format, Apple Music v.1.0.3.1 did not downgrade the quality of the file on my hard drive.

It appears as an AIFF file in the Apple Music Cloud Library and on my hard drive.

Sorry but I'm confused! I purchased a new MacBook Pro in October 2019. It had OS Mojave. After I upgraded to Catalina, on my hard drive in Users/my name/Music/Music/Media/Music all my files that are AIFFs in iTunes on my old 2013 MacBook Pro with OS Mojave were changed to "MPEG-4 audio" files. I do not know if this was supposed to happen or not.

Hi,

Apple music and iTunes Match use the same iCloud music library. iTunes Match will only cease to exist once your subscription expires. As you will be using Apple Music, you won’t be able to sync via a direct wired or wireless connection.

Jim

I had exactly the same problem, I don't know if it was converted automatically after my iTunes Match subscription finished , I didn't renew, then I changed my mind and renewed it. maybe it's the case, cause I didn't delete and re-download anything, I just had my beautiful HQ collection from HD tracks replaced with matched AAC 😢 , and it seems I cannot re-download it again. So, please watch out...

Hi,

Did you make a backup of your original library ? If you did not delete or redownload, the original tracks should still be on your computer. iTunes Match does not have a function to automatically convert tracks. The conversion only happens we you delete original and download the matched version. If you have to download from Apple server, you will get an AAC version. Likewise if you downloaded tracks on another device.

Jim

Hi,

There is no automatic conversion. You need to specifically select "remove download" then download the version from the iCloud Music library.

Jim

Hi,

When you bought the new computer, how did you transfer your music from the old computer to the new one?

Jim

I did not. I was not aware that my AIFF files would be changed to AAC files.

Have you had any success?

I have the same problem, can you help? What exactly should I do?