Help & FAQ

Answers to the 43 questions we hear most about Loopback Audio — what it is, how it works, what it works with, and what makes it different. If you don't find your answer here, email strong>support@loopbackaudio.com</strong.

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What is Loopback Audio?

What is Loopback Audio?

Loopback Audio is a $39 consumer hardware device that records whatever audio is playing on your phone, tablet, or computer — Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, podcasts, anything — and saves it as AAC files on a microSD (TF) card. The card then plays in any car stereo, MP3 player, phone, or USB speaker. No subscription, no app, no internet required after recording.

Is it legal to record music from streaming services?

It depends on your jurisdiction and intended use. Personal, non-commercial offline backup of music you have legitimately subscribed to is generally permitted in many jurisdictions under 'fair use,' 'time-shifting,' or 'format-shifting' doctrines. However, redistributing or publicly performing recorded music without a license is generally illegal. Loopback Audio is sold for personal, lawful use only. You are responsible for understanding and complying with your local laws. We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice.

Technical & Compatibility

What audio format does Loopback Audio record in?

Loopback Audio records in AAC (M4A) format at 128, 192, or 256 kbps. AAC is supported by virtually all modern car stereos, iPhones, Android phones, and MP3 players. You can convert the AAC files to MP3, WAV, FLAC, or OGG using our free Audio Converter if you need a different format.

Does Loopback Audio work with iPhone and iPad?

Yes. Loopback Audio works with any iPhone or iPad with a Lightning or USB-C port. Plug it in, press the button, play your audio — it records automatically. No app or driver install required.

Does Loopback Audio work with Android phones?

Yes. Loopback Audio works with any Android phone that supports USB audio output. Plug it into the USB-C port (or USB-C to USB-A adapter for older devices), press the button, and start recording. No app needed.

Does Loopback Audio work with Mac and Windows PCs?

Yes. Plug it into any Mac (USB-C) or Windows PC (USB-A or USB-C), and it shows up as a USB audio input. Use any recording app, or just play audio — Loopback Audio captures it. No driver install required for macOS 11+ or Windows 10/11.

What size TF (microSD) card do I need?

Loopback Audio supports TF cards from 8 GB up to 1 TB. A 128 GB card holds roughly 2,000 songs at 192 kbps AAC, which is enough for a large offline music library. We recommend Class 10 / U3 cards for reliable recording. The card is not included in the box — you provide your own, or buy one from us at checkout.

How long does the battery last?

Loopback Audio records for up to 8 hours continuously on a single charge. Charging takes about 1.5 hours via USB-C. You can also use it while plugged in to a USB power source.

Can I use Loopback Audio while charging?

Yes. Loopback Audio can record while plugged in via USB-C. Useful for long recording sessions or in-car use where you have constant power.

Does it work with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and podcasts?

Yes. Loopback Audio records any audio that plays through your device's audio output. This includes Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Pandora, podcasts, audiobooks, lectures, YouTube videos, and more. It works the same regardless of the app or service.

Does it work with Bluetooth headphones or AirPods?

Yes — but with a caveat. If you're playing audio through Bluetooth headphones (like AirPods), Loopback Audio still records the audio being sent to the headphones. The audio quality is whatever the Bluetooth codec allows (typically AAC or SBC). For best quality, plug headphones into the device or use wired headphones during recording.

Can the firmware be updated?

Yes. Loopback Audio firmware can be updated via a connected computer. We release updates periodically to add features, fix bugs, and improve compatibility. Updates are free.

AAC vs MP3 — which is better for car stereos?

AAC is generally superior to MP3 at the same bitrate — better sound quality per file size. Most car stereos made after 2015 play AAC files without conversion. Older car stereos (pre-2010) may require MP3 — in that case, use our Audio Converter to convert the AAC files to MP3 in seconds.

Does it record in stereo or mono?

Loopback Audio records in stereo at 44.1 kHz, matching CD quality. The recording captures the full stereo mix as you hear it.

Car Stereo Compatibility

Will Loopback Audio work in my car?

Almost certainly yes. Loopback Audio creates standard AAC (or MP3 after conversion) files on a TF card. Every car stereo made after 2010 plays AAC files from a USB drive or SD card. For older cars with only CD/AUX/FM, see the related questions below.

My car only has an AUX input — can I use this?

Yes, but indirectly. Loopback Audio records to a TF card, which doesn't plug into an AUX jack. You have two options: (1) buy a $10-15 MP3 player that has both a TF card slot and an AUX-out, then play the recorded music through your car's AUX, or (2) transfer the files to your phone (via the included USB-C cable) and play from your phone through the AUX.

My car only has Bluetooth (no USB, no AUX) — what do I do?

Transfer the files from the TF card to your phone, then play them from your phone over Bluetooth. Most car stereos can connect to a phone via Bluetooth automatically. To transfer: plug the TF card into your computer (or use a USB-C card reader), copy the files to your phone, or use a cloud sync.

My car only has a CD player — what do I do?

Burn the recorded files to a CD-R disc using any computer's CD-burning software. The TF card reader on your computer (or a USB-C card reader) lets you access the files, then iTunes / Windows Media Player / Brasero can burn them to CD. CDs hold about 80 minutes of audio at standard quality.

Can I use an FM transmitter with this?

Yes, indirectly. Record to the TF card, transfer the files to your phone, then play the phone through an FM transmitter plugged into your car's 12V outlet. The FM transmitter broadcasts the audio over an empty FM frequency, which your car stereo picks up. FM transmitters cost $10-25 and are widely available.

What file format does my car's USB port need?

Most car stereos play MP3 and AAC files. Some newer ones (2018+) also play FLAC and WAV. Check your car stereo's manual for the specific list. If your car only plays MP3, convert the AAC files using our Audio Converter before copying them to a USB drive.

What filesystem format does my car stereo need for USB drives?

Most car stereos require FAT32 (maximum 4 GB per file, max 32 GB drive) or exFAT (larger files and drives supported). Format your USB drive in FAT32 for maximum compatibility — most computers can do this from the disk utility. exFAT is needed if you have files larger than 4 GB or a drive larger than 32 GB.

How do I organize music for car playback?

Most car stereos read music in folder order. Create folders named by artist, album, or playlist, and place the AAC/MP3 files inside. Some car stereos (Sony, Pioneer, JVC, Kenwood) read ID3 tags and let you browse by artist, album, or genre. Loopback Audio records files with proper ID3 tags (title, artist, album) when available from the source.

Comparison With Alternatives

How is Loopback Audio different from software downloaders like AudFree or NoteBurner?

Software downloaders (AudFree, NoteBurner, TuneFab, Sidify, DRmare) install on your computer, interact with the streaming service's API or app to download tracks, and require a paid subscription. They work for Spotify Premium, Apple Music, etc., but often break when the service updates. Loopback Audio is a hardware device that records the audio output of any device — it doesn't need to interact with any service, so it can never be blocked by an update. It also works for free-tier Spotify, YouTube Music, podcasts, and anything else that plays audio.

How is this different from online converters or YouTube downloaders?

Online converters and YouTube downloaders (like Y2Mate, SaveFrom, etc.) typically violate the streaming service's Terms of Service, and many are illegal under copyright law. They also expose you to malware, phishing, and privacy risks. Loopback Audio records audio for personal use, doesn't interact with any service, doesn't require uploading files anywhere, and works offline. Your recordings stay on your own TF card.

Why use a hardware device instead of an app?

Three reasons: (1) Privacy — apps collect data about what you listen to; Loopback Audio doesn't collect anything. (2) Compatibility — apps require a paid subscription, can break with OS updates, and are blocked by streaming services. (3) Simplicity — no app install, no account, no updates, no internet required after recording.

How is this different from a regular MP3 player?

A regular MP3 player only plays files you load onto it. Loopback Audio records audio from your streaming services directly onto the TF card, then plays it. Think of it as 'recorder + player' in one device. After recording, the TF card is interchangeable with any standard MP3 player or car stereo.

Is this like the old iPod?

Similar concept — a portable music player with storage — but with a critical difference. The iPod required you to manually sync music from a computer. Loopback Audio records directly from streaming services, so you don't need a computer, and you can capture any music you have access to via streaming. The iPod also doesn't record audio itself.

Does it work with Spotify Free (not Premium)?

Yes. Spotify Free plays music with occasional ads — Loopback Audio records everything, including the ads. (You can edit out the ads later with the Audio Converter.) Software downloaders typically require Spotify Premium because they need access to the download API.

Does it work with Apple Music?

Yes. Play Apple Music on any device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Android), and Loopback Audio records the audio output. No subscription beyond your existing Apple Music is needed.

Are AAC files smaller than MP3 files at the same quality?

Yes. AAC achieves better sound quality than MP3 at the same bitrate, or equivalently smaller file sizes for the same quality. A 4-minute song at 192 kbps AAC is about 5.5 MB, while the same song at 192 kbps MP3 is about 5.5 MB too — but AAC at 128 kbps sounds closer to MP3 at 192 kbps. So you can use lower bitrate AAC and save space.

Legal Questions

Is it legal to record music from streaming services?

It depends on your jurisdiction and intended use. Personal, non-commercial offline backup of music you have legitimately subscribed to is generally permitted in many jurisdictions under 'fair use,' 'time-shifting,' or 'format-shifting' doctrines. However, redistributing or publicly performing recorded music without a license is generally illegal. Loopback Audio is sold for personal, lawful use only. You are responsible for understanding and complying with your local laws. We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice.

Does recording from Spotify violate Spotify's Terms of Service?

Spotify's Terms of Service prohibit 'copying, redistributing, reproducing... any part of the Spotify Service.' Recording for personal offline use exists in a gray area — Spotify has not historically pursued individual users who do this for personal use, but their TOS technically prohibits it. We recommend using Loopback Audio for personal backup, not redistribution.

Can I use recorded music commercially?

No. Recording music via Loopback Audio does not grant you any commercial rights. To use music commercially (in a YouTube video, podcast, advertisement, etc.), you need a license from the rights holder — typically through your streaming service's commercial license, a sync license from the publisher, or a direct license from the artist/label.

Purchase & Shipping

How much does Loopback Audio cost?

Loopback Audio is $39 USD plus shipping. Pre-orders are open now. The price is locked at the time of pre-order; if it changes before your unit ships, you'll pay the lower amount.

When does Loopback Audio ship?

Pre-orders ship in Q2 2026. You'll get a shipping confirmation email with tracking the day your order leaves our warehouse.

How much does shipping cost?

US Standard shipping is free on orders $35+ (otherwise $5). Expedited is $15, overnight is $30. International shipping is calculated at checkout (typically $10-60 depending on destination). See Shipping & Returns for details.

What is the warranty?

Loopback Audio comes with a 1-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects. See the full Warranty page for details on what's covered, what's not, and how to make a claim.

Can I return it if I don't like it?

Yes. You have 30 days from delivery to return the product for a full refund. The product must be unused and in original packaging. US customers get a free return label. See Shipping & Returns for full details.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes — to most countries. International shipping is calculated at checkout. Customers are responsible for any customs duties or VAT charged by the destination country. See the Shipping page for the full list of supported regions and shipping costs.

Troubleshooting

Loopback Audio isn't recording — what do I do?

Check the following: (1) the device is fully charged, (2) the TF card is properly inserted and not full, (3) the TF card is formatted as FAT32 or exFAT, (4) audio is actually playing on the source device, (5) the device is recognized as a USB audio input on the source. If it still doesn't work, email support@loopbackaudio.com with your device model and OS version.

I'm playing back the recorded files but no sound comes out. Why?

Check: (1) the TF card is inserted correctly in your playback device, (2) the playback device supports AAC format (most modern devices do), (3) the volume is up on both the playback device and your speakers/headphones, (4) the file is not corrupted (try playing on a different device). If the file plays on a computer but not your car stereo, your car may only support MP3 — use the Audio Converter to convert.

My computer or car stereo doesn't recognize the TF card. What do I do?

Try: (1) re-inserting the card, (2) formatting the card as FAT32 (most compatible), (3) trying the card in a different device, (4) using a different card. Some very old car stereos only support cards up to 32 GB — check your car stereo's manual. Email support@loopbackaudio.com if the issue persists.

The recorded audio sounds low quality or has static. How do I improve it?

Low quality is usually caused by: (1) Bluetooth audio compression — use wired headphones or speakers during recording for best quality, (2) low source quality (e.g., 96 kbps Spotify stream — record from the highest quality source available), (3) interference from a nearby electronic device — move away from phones, laptops, etc. during recording. If quality remains poor, email support with a sample file.

I recorded a song and it has a Spotify ad in the middle. How do I remove it?

Use the Audio Converter — load the recorded file, see the waveform, drag the start/end handles to skip the ad, and re-export. The whole process takes about 30 seconds per song.

Still Have Questions?

• Email: support@loopbackaudio.com — we respond within 1 business day
• Pre-sales questions: hello@loopbackaudio.com
• Press / media: press@loopbackaudio.com
• Phone support: Not available at this time. All support is via email.

See also

• Product page — full specifications
• Guides — how-to articles for common use cases
• Tools — free browser-based audio utilities
• Contact — all the ways to reach us
• Warranty, Shipping, Returns, Privacy, Terms

Still have a question?

Last updated: 2026-10-18 · 43 questions across 7 categories.