AirScrobble

AirScrobble identifies music playing nearby and can log discoveries to Last.fm. Its iPhone and iPad app can also match audio coming through device speakers, including sound from videos, voice memos, and social feeds; this matching does not work with earbuds or headphones such as AirPods. Matched tracks appear in History, which syncs between devices with iCloud, though full history access requires AirScrobble+. Users can view discoveries in Apple Music and add them to its library through a playlist, with an option to save new discoveries automatically. A Last.fm account is not required to discover music or view history, but a free account is needed to scrobble songs and use some Last.fm shortcut actions. The free plan includes discovery, Last.fm integration, Auto Scrobble, Apple Music integration, Siri, and Shortcuts. AirScrobble+ adds Auto Match and full History access. It costs $0.99 a month, $7.49 a year, or $24.99, paid once. The app requires iOS 16.2 or later and has no macOS app.

AirScrobble combines music identification with Last.fm logging and Apple Music options. Its free plan covers discovery, while background matching and full History access require a paid AirScrobble+ plan.

It suits iPhone and iPad users who want to identify music and optionally save or scrobble discoveries. Those who want background Auto Match or full history need AirScrobble+.

AirScrobble is an iPhone and iPad app for identifying music and keeping a record of discoveries. It is a strong fit for listeners who want to recognize audio playing through their device speakers and connect finds with Last.fm or Apple Music. Occasional identification is free; continuous background matching and unrestricted History access require AirScrobble+.

Overview

AirScrobble can identify music around you or audio playing through an iPhone or iPad’s speakers, including tracks in videos, voice memos, and social feeds. That gives it a useful role beyond identifying a song heard in a room: it can catch music already playing on the device. The limitation is that in-device matching does not work with earbuds or headphones such as AirPods.

Discovery and History do not require a Last.fm account. To scrobble songs or use some Last.fm Shortcut actions, you need a free account. Apple Music users can view discoveries and add them to their library through a playlist, with an option to save new matches automatically.

Key features

Matching and History

Single Match supports deliberate, one-at-a-time identification. Auto Match listens continuously and can scrobble songs while AirScrobble runs in the background, which suits listeners who want a more automatic record of what they hear. It requires AirScrobble+. Matched songs go into History and sync across devices through iCloud, but complete History access is also reserved for subscribers or lifetime purchasers.

Shortcuts and controls

Siri and Shortcuts support actions for Last.fm music and profile data, trending tracks, and scrobbling. Control Center widgets can launch Single Match or Auto Match, and Live Activities show matching status. These controls make the app easier to fit into an iPhone workflow; Last.fm actions that rely on the service still require a free Last.fm account.

Privacy

The maker says recordings are not stored and discoveries are not shared with third-party services. Its privacy policy says requested personal information stays on the device, while error logs may be collected through third-party products and may include device and usage details. The maker uses commercially acceptable safeguards but does not guarantee 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 listeners who identify tracks occasionally and do not need continuous background matching or full History access. A free Last.fm account is needed for scrobbling.

AirScrobble+ adds Auto Match and full History access. Monthly costs $0.99 a month, billed $0.99 per month, and suits listeners who want to try the paid features without a longer commitment. Yearly costs $7.49 a year, billed $7.49 per year, for those who expect to use them throughout the year. Lifetime costs $24.99, paid once, billed $24.99 one time purchase, for listeners who prefer a single payment. Each paid option unlocks the same two listed benefits; the choice is between billing terms.

Platforms

AirScrobble supports iPhone and iPad running iOS 16.2 or later. There is no macOS app, and the iOS app is unavailable for Apple Silicon Macs. Its speaker-based matching is also unsuitable when the audio is playing through headphones or earbuds.

Who it's for

AirScrobble suits iPhone and iPad listeners who want to identify music from nearby sound or audio playing on their device, then keep discoveries in History or connect them to Last.fm and Apple Music. It is especially appealing to Last.fm users who want background scrobbling, provided they are willing to pay for AirScrobble+. Listeners who mainly use headphones, need a Mac app, or want full History without paying should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Identifies audio from the device itself: It can recognize music in videos, voice memos, and social feeds, not only sound playing nearby.
• Useful discovery connections: Apple Music playlist saving and Last.fm scrobbling give identified tracks a path into listening and tracking workflows.
• Automatic matching costs extra: Auto Match and full History access both require AirScrobble+.
• Headphone playback is excluded: In-device matching does not work through AirPods or other earbuds and headphones.
• Apple-only availability: It requires iOS 16.2 or later and has no macOS app.

Alternatives

Music Identification Apps is the broader category to browse if AirScrobble’s Apple-device focus or paid background matching does not fit.

AHA Music is a better fit for people who need recognition across Android, browsers, desktop systems, and the web. Its free Guest plan allows five recognitions per day, includes BPM and key detection, and has ads, with no recognition history or playlists.

WhoSampled may suit listeners who want text search, track identification, and Spotify and Apple Music library scanning on Android, iOS, or the web. Its free plan is ad-free.

Annie is a free Android and iOS option for music identification and universal links, with no subscription required for those features.

Audile is a free Android alternative; it requires Android 8.0 or later, and AudD or ACRCloud may require separate API accounts or tokens.

Earworm is a free iOS option while it is in TestFlight beta, with iPhone and Apple Watch support.

Google Pixel Now Playing is a free Android alternative.

Snag is a free iPhone alternative.

SoundHound is available on Android and iOS, with a free ad-supported plan and a $6.99 one-time SoundHound∞ option for an ad-free experience.

Verdict

Choose AirScrobble if you use an iPhone or iPad and want music identification tied to Last.fm or Apple Music, especially when you want to recognize audio playing through the device speakers. Its free plan makes occasional discovery accessible, while AirScrobble+ adds the automatic background matching and full History that make it a stronger tracking tool. Look elsewhere if you need headphone-based in-device matching, Mac support, or those paid features at no cost.