AirScrobble

AirScrobble is an iPhone and iPad app for identifying music and keeping track of what you discover. It suits listeners who play audio through device speakers and want Apple Music or Last.fm connections. The free tier is useful for occasional matching, while continuous background recognition and an unrestricted archive require a paid upgrade.

Overview

AirScrobble recognizes music playing around you, as well as audio coming from an iPhone or iPad itself. That includes videos, voice memos, and social-media feeds, so it can identify a track embedded in content already on your device rather than limiting you to music heard through an external source. The important limitation is that in-device matching does not work with earbuds or headphones, including AirPods.

You can use discovery and History without a Last.fm account. A free Last.fm account is required to scrobble songs and to use some Last.fm API shortcut actions. Apple Music users can open discoveries in Apple Music and add them to their library through a playlist; an option can save new discoveries automatically.

Key features

Matching and History

Single Match is the practical choice when you want to identify one song on demand. Auto Match continuously listens and can scrobble while AirScrobble runs in the background, which is much better for passive tracking, but it is reserved for AirScrobble+. Matched songs go into History, and entries synchronize between devices with iCloud. The free plan does not provide full History access, so free users get discovery without the complete long-term archive.

Shortcuts, widgets and alerts

Siri and Shortcuts extend the app beyond manual matching. They include actions for Last.fm music and profile data, trending tracks, and scrobbling, making AirScrobble a better fit for users who already automate tasks on Apple devices. Control Center widgets can launch Single Match or Auto Match, while Live Activities show matching status. Auto Match still depends on the paid plan.

Privacy

The maker says recordings are not stored and discoveries are not shared with third-party services. Its privacy policy says requested personal information remains on the device, while error logs collected through third-party products may include device and usage details. The policy describes commercially acceptable safeguards but does not promise absolute security.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and includes music discovery, Last.fm integration, Auto Scrobble, Apple Music integration, Siri, and Shortcuts. It is the sensible starting point for occasional identification, Apple Music saving, or users who do not need a complete History.

AirScrobble+ Monthly costs $0.99 a month, billed at $0.99 per month, and adds Auto Match and Full History Access. The Yearly plan costs $7.49 a year, billed at $7.49 per year, making it the lower-cost recurring option for regular users who expect to keep using background matching. Lifetime costs 24.99 USD once, billed as a one-time purchase, and suits committed users who want those two features without ongoing renewal. The paid tiers do not add a separate feature list beyond Auto Match and full History access.

Platforms

AirScrobble supports iPhone and iPad running iOS 16.2 or later. It has no macOS app, and the iOS app is unavailable for Apple Silicon Macs, so it is not a choice for Mac-based identification. The app is made by Tomás Martins in Campinas, Brazil, with support available at [email protected].

Who it's for

Choose AirScrobble if you use an iPhone or iPad as a listening source and want to capture songs from videos, voice memos, or social feeds. It is particularly well suited to Last.fm users who want automatic scrobbling, and to Apple Music listeners who want discoveries collected in a playlist or saved automatically.

It is less suitable if you primarily listen through AirPods or other headphones, need a Mac app, or only want a quick desktop identifier. Users who identify songs rarely can stay on Free; listeners building a persistent, cross-device listening record should consider AirScrobble+.

Pros and cons

• Pros: identifies audio from on-device videos, voice memos, and social feeds; connects discoveries with Apple Music and Last.fm; iCloud synchronizes History; Siri, Shortcuts, widgets, and Live Activities support automation and quick access; the free tier covers core discovery.
• Cons: speaker-based in-device matching does not work with earbuds or headphones; Auto Match and full History are paywalled; Last.fm scrobbling requires a separate free Last.fm account; there is no macOS app or Apple Silicon Mac availability; error-log collection may include device and usage details.

Alternatives

For a broad cross-platform option, Music Identification Apps is the relevant category. AHA Music is a better fit when you need Android, browser, Linux, macOS, or Windows support; its free Guest plan allows five recognitions per day, includes BPM and key detection, and omits recognition history and playlists.

WhoSampled suits users who want text search, track identification, and Spotify or Apple Music library scanning in an ad-free free plan. Choose SongRec for a free, open-source, Linux-focused desktop Shazam client. Audible Magic is aimed at organizations needing tailored enterprise services and existing-license integration, with custom pricing.

SoundHound is the alternative for Android and iOS users who prefer an ad-supported free app or a 6.99 USD one-time ad-free upgrade. Annie offers free music identification and universal links without a subscription on Android and iOS. Kooha is a free Linux desktop choice, while Audile is a free Android option for Android 8.0 or later, with AudD and ACRCloud potentially requiring their own API account or token.

Verdict

AirScrobble is a strong choice for iPhone and iPad listeners who want speaker-based identification tied to Apple Music or Last.fm, especially when automatic background scrobbling and synced History matter. Start with Free for occasional discoveries; choose Yearly or Lifetime if Auto Match and a complete archive become central to your routine. Look elsewhere if headphone recognition, Mac support, or broader platform coverage is essential.