I can play FLAC files on my MacBook Air. Files are played via Audirvana Plus through the USB port into a McIntosh C50 for D/A conversion. Works perfectly for me, very happy with the results. See my previous post on this subject.
Do Macs Play FLAC?
My my understanding was always that they could not play FLAC encoded files. I just installed a Synology NAS. I have a Bluesound Vault 2 with about 300 CDs that were ripped in FLAC and was able to transfer the contents of the Vault 2 to the NAS. These show up as FLAC files in the NAS index. To my surprise, they play on my MAcAir, purchased in in 2013, via usb into a Bryston DAC3. I had assumed I would need a music playing program to make these files playable on the Mac. I have no FLAC converting software loaded onto the Mac