Can I listen to FLAC on Android?
What is FLAC?
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless audio format, meaning it retains the original quality of the audio when compressed (1). Unlike lossy formats like MP3 and AAC that compress audio by removing data, FLAC compresses audio without losing any information (2).
This means FLAC provides much higher audio quality than lossy formats at the cost of having a larger file size. When an audio file is encoded to FLAC, it can be decompressed into an identical copy of the original source audio. So FLAC provides all the benefits of lossless audio in a compressed format.
Because FLAC avoids lossy compression and retains more data, the file sizes tend to be significantly larger than lossy formats for the same audio duration. However, the superior audio quality makes FLAC a preferred format for audiophiles.
Why Listen to FLAC on Android?
FLAC files allow you to listen to high quality lossless audio on your Android device, taking advantage of your headphones or speakers even when on the go.
Unlike lossy formats like MP3 that compress audio by removing data, FLAC preserves CD quality audio in a compressed file without losing information. So you can experience music in its original full quality even on a mobile device.
While FLAC files take up more space than lossy formats, storage is less of a limitation on modern Android devices compared to the past. With expandable storage via SD cards or large internal storage on many phones, you may have room for a respectable FLAC music library.
For audiophiles who want access to high fidelity music anywhere without compromising on quality, FLAC on Android provides an excellent listening experience untethered from stereos and PCs.
Android Devices that Support FLAC
Most modern Android devices support playing FLAC files natively. This includes phones from major manufacturers like Samsung, Google, LG, Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, HTC, and more. Here are some of the most popular Android models that support FLAC:
- Samsung Galaxy S and Note series
- Google Pixel phones
- LG G and V series
- Motorola Moto Z, G, E and One series
- OnePlus flagship phones
- Sony Xperia series
- HTC U series
In general, most Android phones released in the past few years will have native support for FLAC, especially flagship and mid-range devices. The key is having Android version 3.1 or later. As long as your Android phone is relatively new and running a modern version of the OS, chances are good it can play FLAC files. You can quickly check by trying to open a FLAC file through your music player.
Enabling FLAC Support
FLAC support is usually enabled by default on most Android devices. However, some manufacturer skins like Samsung’s TouchWiz may disable FLAC support by default [1].
To enable FLAC support on your Android device, go to Settings > Sound and vibration > Advanced sound settings. Look for an option to enable FLAC audio or high-resolution audio and turn it on. This will allow your device to properly decode and play FLAC files.
If you don’t see an advanced audio option, your device likely already has FLAC enabled by default. Try playing a FLAC file to confirm. Most modern Android devices from the past few years support the FLAC format out of the box.
FLAC Compatible Apps
There are several great apps for Android that support playing FLAC files. Some of the top options include:
Poweramp (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maxmpz.audioplayer) – One of the most popular and full-featured music players on Android. Poweramp has excellent FLAC support and playback quality.
VLC (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videolan.vlc) – The popular open source media player handles FLAC files with ease. VLC is completely free with no ads.
Neutron (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neutroncode.mp) – Designed for audiophiles, Neutron has an impressive audio engine that can play FLAC up to 32-bit/384 kHz with studio-grade quality.
USB Audio Player Pro (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudioplayerpro) – Offers bit-perfect playback of FLAC and other lossless audio formats. Works great with external DACs.
There are many other excellent apps that support FLAC as well. The key is finding a player that sounds great on your particular Android device and offers the features you need. Most popular music player apps have added FLAC compatibility over the years.
Problems Playing FLAC Files
Despite FLAC being supported on many Android devices, you may encounter issues playing FLAC files on certain phones. This is often due to compatibility problems with some devices or buggy FLAC implementations.
For example, some users have reported playback issues with FLAC files on Samsung Galaxy phones, especially with files encoded at high sample rates like 192kHz (1). Trying to play these files results in popping and cracking sounds. One workaround is to convert the FLAC files to 48kHz or lower if possible.
There are also reports of problems with FLAC playback in apps like Signal due to bugs in the Android audio framework (2). The apps themselves support FLAC, but encounter decoding issues and distorted audio. Updating Android or the app itself can potentially fix these bugs.
Finally, some lower-end Android phones may lack powerful enough hardware to smoothly decode FLAC files, leading to skipping, stuttering or crashes. Using a different music app like VLC can help in some cases. Otherwise, converting FLAC to MP3 is an option if device compatibility is a concern.
Overall, FLAC support on Android can be hit-or-miss depending on your specific device and software version. Checking for app and system updates, trying different players, and converting to lossy formats are some troubleshooting steps if you experience playback issues.
Converting FLAC to MP3
While FLAC offers excellent audio quality, the files can take up a significant amount of storage space. Converting FLAC files to the more compressed MP3 format can help reduce file size.
FLAC files are typically 3-5 times larger than MP3 files. By converting to MP3, you can significantly reduce the storage space required for your music library. This can be especially useful if you have limited internal storage on your Android device.
However, converting from FLAC to MP3 will cause some loss of audio quality. MP3 is a ‘lossy’ format that compresses audio by stripping out some of the data. The higher the bitrate of the MP3, the less quality loss, but 320kbps MP3 is still not as good as the original lossless FLAC file.
So converting to MP3 involves a trade-off between quality and file size. It can be useful if you need to save space and 320kbps provides reasonably good audio quality for most listeners. But for the best listening experience, it’s better to use the original FLAC files if storage space allows.
There are many apps and online tools available for converting FLAC to MP3 on Android devices. Some popular options include FLAC to MP3 Converter, Free Audio Converter, and online converters like FLAC to Android Audio Converter.
Streaming FLAC Over Bluetooth
Streaming FLAC files over Bluetooth requires support for the AptX HD Bluetooth codec in order to maintain the high audio quality of FLAC files. Currently, there are very few Android devices that support AptX HD, as it is still a relatively new codec.
Additionally, to stream FLAC over Bluetooth, you need a headset or speaker that also supports AptX HD. Many Bluetooth headsets only support the standard SBC codec, which does not have the bandwidth to handle the high bitrates of FLAC files.
According to a XDA Developers article, Bluetooth technology itself is not capable of fully lossless transmission, even with AptX HD support. There will always be some quality loss streaming over Bluetooth versus a direct wired connection.
Overall, while streaming FLAC files over Bluetooth is possible with AptX HD support, it requires specific and currently uncommon hardware support. Most Android devices and Bluetooth headsets do not yet support AptX HD, making this an expensive and limited option for mobile FLAC streaming.
Alternatives to FLAC
While FLAC is a popular lossless audio format, there are some alternatives worth considering if you want lossless audio on your Android device.
Other lossless formats like ALAC (Apple Lossless) and WAV provide the same benefits of FLAC in terms of audio quality. They have widespread support on Android devices and apps. The main downside is larger file sizes compared to FLAC. Some consider FLAC to be the best balance of audio quality and file size.
For those willing to accept some loss of quality for reduced file size, high bitrate MP3 and AAC are good options. At 320kbps or higher bitrates, many listeners would be hard pressed to hear the difference from a lossless format, especially on mobile devices and Bluetooth headphones. The benefit is much smaller file sizes that take up less storage space on your Android device. Apps like Musicolet and VLC make it easy to play high bitrate MP3 and AAC files.
The choice between lossless and lossy formats ultimately depends on your listening equipment, how critical you are of audio quality, and how much storage space you have available.
The Bottom Line on FLAC and Android
In summary, FLAC can be a great choice for listening to lossless audio on Android, but it comes with some limitations:
- FLAC files take up quite a bit of storage space compared to compressed formats like MP3.
- Not all Android devices have native support for FLAC out of the box, so extra steps may be needed to enable support or capabilities like streaming over Bluetooth.
- Some popular Android apps don’t support FLAC files yet, so you may need to find alternatives for things like podcast apps or streaming services that typically use other audio formats like MP3.
So overall, FLAC works well for lossless quality music listening on Android, but make sure your device, streaming needs, and library management apps support it before switching. If space or compatibility is an issue, MP3 or other smaller formats may provide a good compromise. And there are always workarounds like converting FLAC to MP3 on the fly when needed. But for audiophile-quality music, FLAC is quickly gaining support across the Android ecosystem and makes for an excellent listening experience.