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How to record yourself with a metronome on iPhone — click in your AirPods, not in the recording
Short answer: connect your earbuds, open Metronome & Recorder, start the metronome and tap record. The click plays only in your ears, and the iPhone's built-in microphone records your instrument in full quality.
Why this is harder than it sounds
Practising with a click and recording the result are two things most phones do separately. Put them together with Bluetooth earbuds and three problems show up:
- The click ends up in the take. If the metronome plays through the phone speaker, the microphone records it.
- The recording drops to call quality. When an app records while Bluetooth earbuds are connected, iPhone usually switches to the earbuds' headset microphone — a mode made for phone calls. Listening and recording both become call quality.
- Two apps fight over the audio. Running a metronome app and a voice recorder at the same time often stops one of them or changes where the sound goes.
Step by step
- Connect AirPods or other earbuds. Bluetooth or wired both work.
- Open Metronome & Recorder. The line at the top shows where sound goes, for example Mic: iPhone · Sound: AirPods Pro.
- Set the tempo (40–240 BPM) with the slider or the −5 / −1 / +1 / +5 buttons, and choose 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 beats per bar. The downbeat has a higher click.
- Tap "Start metronome" and play a bar or two to settle in.
- Tap the red record button at the bottom. The time and input level appear beside it.
- Tap again to stop. The take appears under My recordings with the tempo you used. Play it back, drag to scrub, tap the title to rename, or share it to Files, Messages or your teacher.
What you get
| Earbuds connected | Phone speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| You hear the click | In your earbuds, full quality | From the speaker |
| Recorded with | iPhone's built-in mic | iPhone's built-in mic |
| Click in the recording | No | Yes |
| Format | AAC (.m4a), 48 kHz mono, kept only on your phone | |
Questions
How do I record myself while listening to a metronome on iPhone?
Connect your earbuds, open Metronome & Recorder, start the metronome and tap the red record button. The click plays in your earbuds and the iPhone's built-in microphone records your playing.
Will the metronome click be in my recording?
Not when you listen on earbuds — only your playing is recorded. If the metronome plays through the phone speaker, the clicks are recorded too, which is handy for checking your timing later.
Why do recordings sound bad when AirPods are connected?
Most recording apps switch to the earbuds' headset microphone, a call-quality mode made for phone calls. Metronome & Recorder keeps recording with the iPhone's built-in mic, so the take stays in full quality while the click plays in your AirPods.
Does it work with wired earphones or other earbuds?
Yes. With AirPods, other Bluetooth earbuds or wired earphones, the click goes to your ears and the iPhone's built-in mic records. The top of the screen shows the current mic and output.
Is it free?
Yes. A small banner ad keeps it free. There is no account and no subscription.
Where are my recordings saved?
Only inside the app on your iPhone — they are never uploaded. Use the share button next to a take to save it to Files or send it. Each take is an AAC (.m4a) file.
Does it keep running with the screen off?
Yes. The metronome and recording continue when the screen locks or you switch apps. If a call comes in, the recording so far is saved and the metronome stops.
Free · iPhone · iOS 16 or later · 한국어