What is AIFF?
Audio Interchange File Format
AIFF is Apple's uncompressed audio format, equivalent to WAV but with better metadata support. It's the standard for professional audio work on macOS and a common output of Logic Pro and Final Cut.
History of AIFF
AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) was created by Apple in 1988, predating WAV. As Apple's uncompressed audio format, it stores audio bit-for-bit identical to the source. Logic Pro, GarageBand, and Final Cut Pro use AIFF as their native audio format on macOS.
Technical specs
- Format name
- Audio Interchange File Format
- File extension
- .aiff
- MIME type
- audio/aiff
- Category
- Audio
- Compression
- Lossless
When to use AIFF
Reach for AIFF when you need audio editing in logic pro, macos-based audio production, mastering and archival on apple platforms. It excels at these scenarios because lossless, studio-grade quality and better metadata support than wav.
Pros
- +Lossless, studio-grade quality
- +Better metadata support than WAV
- +Native on macOS
When to avoid AIFF
Avoid AIFF when very large file sizes, and less common on windows. In those cases, look at the alternatives below.
Cons
- −Very large file sizes
- −Less common on Windows
- −Not suitable for streaming or sharing
Common uses for AIFF
- Audio editing in Logic Pro
- macOS-based audio production
- Mastering and archival on Apple platforms
Alternatives to AIFF
FLAC offers the same quality as AIFF at roughly half the file size. WAV is essentially equivalent and more universally supported.
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AIFF — Frequently Asked Questions
Is AIFF still used in 2026?
Is AIFF still used in 2026?
Yes, primarily in Apple's pro audio ecosystem (Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro). FLAC has largely replaced AIFF for archival because it's smaller and equally lossless.
Can I open a AIFF file on my phone?
Can I open a AIFF file on my phone?
Yes on Apple devices. Android needs an app like VLC.
Why is my AIFF file so large?
Why is my AIFF file so large?
AIFF is uncompressed or lightly compressed — every detail of the original signal is preserved. That fidelity costs disk space. To shrink files significantly, convert to a more compressed format from the same category.
Can I convert AIFF to another format for free?
Can I convert AIFF to another format for free?
Yes — Zen Convert converts AIFF files to every other audio format we support, for free, in your browser. No signup, no watermark.
Is AIFF open-source?
Is AIFF open-source?
AIFF is openly documented by Apple and royalty-free.