Need help? Email Dave Pickles, Mix Tape's developer, at
Please include your iPhone model, iOS version and what happened.
What you need
- An iPhone with iOS 18 or later.
- An Apple Music subscription to play songs.
Making a tape
- Tap + and give your tape a name. Every tape needs one. You can add a dedication too, like "for Sam".
- Pick a pen (felt-tip, biro or pencil) and an ink colour. Tap Rewrite to change how crooked the handwriting sits.
- Choose a skin: a classic colour, a music genre, a decade, a holiday, or a clear, glitter or gold finish. The skin also shows on the tape's spine and J-card.
- Choose a tape length: C60, C90 or C120 holds 30, 45 or 60 minutes on each side.
- Tap Start taping.
To change the label later, tap the cassette or choose Edit label from the ••• menu.
Recording songs
- Pick Side A or Side B, then press REC.
- The first time, tap Connect Apple Music and allow access.
- Search for a song or artist, then tap the record button next to each song you want.
The time left on that side is shown as you go. Swipe left on a song to remove it, or choose Edit from the ••• menu to put songs in a different order.
Playing your tape
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| REC | Records more songs onto this side. |
| PLAY | Plays the side. From the top of a side, you'll hear a few seconds of tape hiss first. |
| REW | Back to the start of the song, or the song before. |
| F.FWD | On to the next song. |
| STOP/EJ | Stops the tape. When it's already stopped, turns the tape over to the other side. |
| PAUSE | Holds the tape where it is. Press again to carry on. |
You can also tap any song in the track list to wind straight to it. Choosing Side A or Side B turns the tape over, just like taking it out and putting it back in.
Your tapes
- Playlists lists all your tapes. Touch and hold a tape to throw it away.
- Tape box shows your tapes stacked in a box. Tap one to see its J-card, then tap Open tape to play it.
Sharing and saving
- J-card: tap the share button on a tape to see its J-card, the paper insert listing every song. Share it, or choose Save Image to keep it in Photos.
- Apple Music: choose Save to Apple Music from the ••• menu to add the tape to your library as a playlist. After that, Update Apple Music playlist brings the playlist up to date with the tape.
Sounds
The keys clunk, and the tape whines as it winds. To turn sounds off, open the ••• menu on a tape and switch off Key sounds or Tape intro.
Troubleshooting
Search says it couldn't reach Apple Music
Check that you're connected to the internet and signed in to your Apple Account in the iPhone Settings app. If the message says Mix Tape isn't allowed to use Apple Music, turn it on in Settings › Apps › Mix Tape.
Songs won't play
- Playing songs needs an active Apple Music subscription.
- Open the Music app once and accept any terms it shows, then try again.
- If a message says a song couldn't be played, it may not be available in your country any more. Remove it and record a different version.
I can't add any more songs to a side
That side of the tape is full. Use the other side, or make the tape longer with Edit label.
Save Image isn't offered, or doesn't save
Allow Mix Tape to add photos in Settings › Apps › Mix Tape › Photos.
My saved playlist didn't update
If you deleted the playlist in the Music app, saving again makes a new one. Otherwise, choose Update Apple Music playlist again after making changes to the tape.
I can't hear the key sounds or tape hiss
Check that Key sounds and Tape intro are switched on in the ••• menu, and turn up the volume. The tape hiss only plays when you start a side from the top.
Privacy
Your tapes stay on your iPhone, and Mix Tape doesn't collect your data. Read the full Privacy Policy.