In our latest video, available over on our YouTube channel, we took a look at apps and tools that are designed to help musicians use their iPhones and iPads to work on their craft and record high-quality music while wherever they are.

This is a bit of a niche video, but it is suitable for new musicians and those who want to find tools to better take advantage of their mobile devices.


Apple's GarageBand is the first app you'll want to delve into if you're new to making music on the iPhone, as it's loaded with different instruments for you to experiment with.

Music Memos, an app that's always gone under the radar, is super useful for recording song lyrics or making notes on your compositions. There's a one-tap record button so it's easy to get started, and Music Memos will record the exact notes you're playing so you can come back to your work in the future.

For actually recording high-quality audio that's similar to what you'd get in a studio, the iPhone's microphone just isn't good enough. You're going to want an accessory like iZotope's Spire Studio, which is basically a miniature recording studio that can go anywhere. It's not cheap at $349, but it can capture great sound.

There are tons of other apps and tools out there, so if you're a musician who records with an iPhone or iPad, make sure to let us know which accessories and apps you prefer to use in the comments.

Top Rated Comments

roguedaemon Avatar
97 months ago
Music Memos is such an amazing app, it’s just so annoying that Apple hasn’t updated it, among other things, to the iPhone X display. Absolutely ridiculous.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
97 months ago
You know what an awesome audio I/O on an iPhone would be? A 1/8" audio jack! Oh, wait.
Most use an external DAC rather than DI audio. ;)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrsaxomaphone Avatar
97 months ago
Since the iPhone lost the headphone jack it’s practically useless in a recording environment. Yes you could run another interface like a spire or class compliant device but why would you? Just pull out your notebook and instantly it’s a better machine. Just this morning I wanted to record a stereo sound with a mic on my phone whilst listening to a click to keep in time. GarageBand would totally do it. Except the latency between monitoring with Bluetooth headphones and a rode iXy mic plugged into the lightning port was useles.

My iPhone 6s would’ve nailed it!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H3LL5P4WN Avatar
97 months ago
I was hoping this article was how to bootleg concerts better. I am disappoint.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rpcclark Avatar
97 months ago
I was hoping this article was how to bootleg concerts better. I am disappoint.
Have you checked out these? https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLUE2ZM/A/apogee-sennheiser-ambeo-smart-headset definitely the best way to record a concert on an iPhone.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KazKam Avatar
97 months ago
You know what an awesome audio I/O on an iPhone would be? A 1/8" audio jack! Oh, wait.

Edit: On a serious note though, I really like using DM1 ('https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dm1-for-iphone/id526650611?mt=8') and FunkBox ('https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/funkbox-drum-machine/id350437349?mt=8') for drum sequencing and vintage drum machine libraries.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...