iPod shuffle: Compatible audio formats
Summary
iPod shuffle can support a variety of audio formats. Here's a list of compatible and incompatible formats. For other iPod model audio formats, click here.
Products Affected
iPod shuffle
Compatible audio formats (codecs)
- AAC (M4A, M4B, and M4P up to 320 Kbps)
- MP3 (up to 320 Kbps)
- MP3 Variable Bit Rate (VBR)
- WAV
- AA (Audible spoken word, formats 2, 3, and 4)
A song encoded in AAC or MP3 format has near CD-quality sound, but takes up much less space than a song encoded in AIFF or WAV format. When you import music from a CD using iTunes, songs are converted to AAC format by default.
Using iTunes for Windows, you can convert non-protected WMA files to AAC or MP3 format. This can be useful if you have a library of music encoded in WMA format.
Incompatible codecs
- AIFF *
- Apple Lossless *
- MPEG Layer 1
- MPEG Layer 2
- WMA
- Audible format 1
For more information, open iTunes and from the Help menu, choose iTunes and Music Store Help.
* AIFF and Apple Lossless files can be copied to iPod shuffle if they are converted. Click here for more information.