How to Add Music
Here's how to get songs into Livenue. Songs in your device's Music library play with nothing to import. Audio files can be added from Files, via AirDrop, or from a computer, all in the free version. Adding from Google Drive and Dropbox shared links is part of Livenue Pro.
Methods at a glance
| Method | Best for | How it's stored | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music library | Songs bought on the iTunes Store, and CD rips synced to your device | Nothing to import. Played straight from your library | Free |
| Choose from Files | Audio files saved in iCloud Drive and other locations | Copied into the app | Free |
| AirDrop and the share menu | Files on a Mac or another iPhone or iPad, or files you received by email or in other apps | Played in place from the “Livenue” folder | Free |
| Computer (Mac / Windows) | Adding many songs from your computer at once | Played in place from the “Livenue” folder | Free |
| Add from URL | Google Drive and Dropbox shared links, and direct links to audio files | Copied into the app | Pro |
With any method, songs from subscriptions such as Apple Music and DRM-protected songs can't be used. Supported formats: mp3 / m4a / aac / wav / aiff / caf / flac.
1. Play songs from your Music library
- Switch the Library screen to "Music"
- Find a song by song, album, artist, or playlist
- Tap a song to start playing it right away
The first time, you'll be asked to allow access to Media & Apple Music. If you didn't allow it, you can change it under Livenue in your device's Settings. No copies are made in the app, so it doesn't use extra storage.
Songs that can't be played (subscription songs, DRM-protected songs, and songs in the cloud that aren't downloaded) are hidden. Tap "… songs hidden" at the bottom of the list to see them and why.
2. Import from Files
- Tap + at the top right of the Library
- Choose "Choose from Files"
- Select audio files in Files / iCloud Drive. You can select several at once
Each file is checked with the actual playback engine when you import it, and files that can't be played aren't added. Imported files are copied into the app, so they keep playing even if you move or delete the original.
3. Send via AirDrop or the share menu
- AirDrop — AirDrop an audio file from a Mac or another iPhone or iPad, and choose Livenue as the app to open it with
- Share menu — Open an audio file in Mail, Messages, or another app, and choose Livenue from the share menu
The file is added as a song automatically and saved in the “AirDrop” folder inside the “Livenue” folder.
4. Add files to the “Livenue” folder from a computer
On a Mac (Finder)
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac with a cable
- Select your iPhone or iPad in the Finder sidebar
- Open the Files tab and drag audio files onto “Livenue” in the list
On Windows (Apple Devices)
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to your PC with a cable and open the Apple Devices app, available from the Microsoft Store
- Select your iPhone or iPad in the sidebar and open Files
- Drag audio files onto “Livenue” in the list
From the Files app on iPhone or iPad
Copy or move audio files into the “Livenue” folder under “On My iPhone” (“On My iPad” on iPad).
Whichever way you use, new files in the “Livenue” folder are added as songs automatically when you open Livenue. Files in subfolders are imported too.
How files in the “Livenue” folder are handled
Files added via AirDrop, the share menu, a computer, or the Files app aren't copied. Livenue plays each file right where it is in the folder.
- Deleting a song in the app also deletes its file from the “Livenue” folder (you'll be asked to confirm first)
- If you delete a file in Finder or Files, the song stays in the list and shows that its file can't be found
- Renaming a file or moving it within the folder keeps it as the same song
- Files that are the same as a song already in Music are skipped so the song isn't listed twice
- Deleting the app also deletes the “Livenue” folder and the files in it
5. Add from a shared link (Pro)
- Tap + at the top right of the Library and choose "Add from URL"
- Paste a Google Drive or Dropbox shared link, or a direct link to an audio file that starts with https, and tap Check
- Check the file name and size, then tap Download
- Up to 4 GB per file. Downloads continue in the background; check progress under "Add from URL" in the Library
- Files download directly between your device and the linked service. They never pass through the developer's servers
- If you see "The file isn't shared publicly," set the link's sharing to "Anyone with the link"
- Turn on "Large Files over Wi-Fi Only" in Settings to download files over 500 MB only while you're on Wi-Fi
Folder links, links from services such as OneDrive, iCloud Drive, and WeTransfer, and links to streaming services such as YouTube can't be used. For details, see the FAQ.
If songs aren't added
- A song in Music doesn't appear — check that it's downloaded to your device, that it isn't a subscription or DRM-protected song, and that access to Media & Apple Music is allowed
- A file isn't added — check that it's in a supported format (mp3 / m4a / aac / wav / aiff / caf / flac) and isn't damaged
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