# GarageBand — Make great music anywhere

> Mobile music creation studio with virtual instruments and multi-track recording. (iPhone/iPad app by Apple.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garageband/id408709785 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353)
- Category: Music, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.10/5 from 116,512 App Store ratings · 3,109 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 1.7 GB
- Languages: Australian English, Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Canadian French, German (Germany) and 23 more
- Released: 2011-03-10
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garageband/id408709785/reviews.md

## What is GarageBand?

GarageBand turns your iPad, and iPhone into a collection of Touch Instruments and a full-featured recording studio — so you can make music anywhere you go. And with Live Loops, it makes it easy for anyone to have fun creating music like a DJ. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play keyboards, guitars, and create beats that make you sound like a pro — even if you’ve never played a note before. Plug in a guitar or bass and play through classic amps and stompbox effects. Use a Touch Instrument, microphone, or a guitar to instantly record a performance, with support for up to 32 tracks. Use the Sound Library to download additional free instruments, loops, and sound packs created by some of the biggest producers in the world. And then share your song with friends and family.

Live Loops. Make music like a DJ
• Use Multi-Touch to tap and trigger a Live Loop cell or group of cells
• Get started with templates or build your own grid from scratch with Apple Loops
• Create custom loops by recording directly into a cell using any Touch Instrument
• Use Remix FX to perform DJ-style effects
• Tap record to capture your performance

Play your iPad, and iPhone, like a musical instrument
• Play a variety of musical instruments on the innovative Multi-Touch keyboard
• Play and record using the Alchemy Touch Instrument
• Build grooves inspired by classic electronic drum machines with the Beat Sequencer
• Download free instruments, loops, and sound packs for GarageBand with the Sound Library
• Capture any sound and apply studio-class effects
• Recreate legendary guitar or bass rigs using virtual amps and stompboxes
• Record performances from third-party music apps directly into GarageBand using Audio Unit Extensions*

Drummer
• Add virtual session drummers to your song, who take direction and play realistic grooves
• Choose from acoustic, electronic drummers and percussionists**
• Each character provides their own sound and the ability to create over a million realistic grooves and fills

Sound like a virtuoso with Smart Instruments
• Play an entire string orchestra using Smart Strings
• Perform with Chord Strips and autoplay using any keyboard instrument
• Groove with a variety of Smart Basses using upright, electric, and synth sounds
• Strum chords or trigger autoplay patterns on an acoustic and electric Smart Guitar

Create a song anywhere you go
• Record, arrange, and mix your song with up to 32 tracks using Touch Instruments, audio recordings, and loops***
• Record multiple times over any song section and choose your favorite using Multi-Take Recording
• Use professional mixing effects, including Visual EQ, Bitcrusher, and Overdrive
• Recording, mixing and exporting a song can be done at 24-bit audio resolution
• Trim and place musical regions exactly where you want them to play
• Automate the volume and record the movement of controls on Touch Instruments
• Add comments or lyric ideas to your song with an integrated notepad

Share your songs
• Keep your songs up to date across all devices using iCloud Drive
• Create custom ringtones and alerts for your iPad, or iPhone
• Share your songs using email or to social media sites like SoundCloud****
• Remotely add new tracks to your Logic Pro project from your iPhone, or iPad via iCloud

* Requires compatible third-party Audio Unit Extensions apps from the App Store.
** Requires free download from GarageBand Sound Library.
*** Multitrack recording requires a compatible third-party audio interface.
**** Sharing to some social media sites may require apps like iMovie, Clips or other third-party apps

## Key features

- Virtual instruments (keyboard, guitar, drums)
- Multi-track recording (up to 32 tracks)
- Live Loops for DJ-style creation
- Sound Library for free instruments and loops
- Virtual amps and stompbox effects
- Smart Instruments for easy playing
- Multi-Take Recording

## What do users think of GarageBand?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎹 Powerful music creation tools
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🎨 Wide variety of instruments and sounds
- 💰 Free to use with no ads
- 🎶 Helps inspire and develop musical skills

**Cons**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches causing crashes and data loss
- ⏱️ Long download and optimization times
- 🔇 Issues with audio recording and playback
- 🔒 Requires latest iOS version to function
- 💾 Takes up a lot of storage space

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Sustain pedal issues causing incorrect playback
- Recorded audio not saving or getting corrupted
- Compatibility problems with iOS 11 and newer
- Inconsistent behavior when editing and duplicating tracks
- Delays and lags when using external audio apps

**Most requested features**

- Add more guitar, wind, and percussion instruments
- Improve MIDI support and automation capabilities
- Implement better mixing and mastering tools
- Allow custom time signatures and tempo changes
- Add a built-in tuner and metronome

## Recent user reviews (10 of 3,109)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garageband/id408709785/reviews.md

### 2/5 — What ???

*2026-08-28, version 2.3.16*

I’ve been using Garage Band for years on my ipad to sketch ideas then I finish them in Logic.   All of a sudden I can’t open my old songs and I can’t update. 

- I feel betrayed by Apple.

### 5/5 — Music fun

*2026-08-27, version 2.3.19*

I accidentally made a banger

### 3/5 — Not enough diversity?

*2026-08-27, version 2.3.19*

So, I don’t really write reviews. But, I had really wanted to write a song and decided I should use this app. I slowly found out that they have very limited instruments for the kind of song I wanted to make, most was just more upbeat instruments. For example, why isn’t there a flute? Or any other kinds of percussion like that to make more flowy music instead of all upbeat. It’s a good app, and amazing for beginners just, can be annoying.

### 5/5 — Developers, fix this please

*2026-08-27, version 2.3.19*

Whenever I use a specific synth sound (tight punch lead) from edges and angles pack, it makes my music files completely inaccessible..

I have the pack downloaded, but whenever I exit out of my song, it doesn’t let me back in, telling me something along the lines of “missing sound pack” 

I have the pack.. please fix this because I can no longer access some of my greatest songs and I want to be able to make music with this pack. (Edges and Angles.)

Thanks.

### 2/5 — BAD JUST BAD

*2026-08-27, version 2.3.19*

It took forever to download and I had the best inter net 
Why the hell does this thing take forever!?
this company should be fired

### 5/5 — Weird beat

*2026-08-27, version 2.3.17*

So i used the Chinese drum kit and id use the suspense kinda clicking noises but when id record them then listen it would sound doubled anyway cool app might just be me dont know

### 4/5 — Plz bring it back

*2026-08-26, version 2.3.19*

Hello! I’ve been using GarageBand loops a lot so I like to practice music with it, but I was looking for some loops that you do not have so I made some research and heard that you used to have the Middle Eastern pack and I would love it if you brought the pack back to the sound library and I will leave you a higher rating.

### 5/5 — So good

*2026-08-26, version 2.3.16*

I love it it’s so good and I love

### 4/5 — hey

*2026-08-26, version 2.3.19*

I sm an artist on Spotify and this app is great to help me make songs <33

### 5/5 — Great for making music 🤩

*2026-08-26, version 2.3.19*

U can recreate music from any song or game like sprunki

## Frequently asked questions about GarageBand

### What can I do with this app?

This app transforms your device into a portable music creation studio. You can play virtual instruments, record audio like vocals or guitars, and arrange and mix songs with up to 32 tracks. It also features Live Loops for DJ-style music creation and a Sound Library for additional free instruments and loops.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, this application is completely free to download and use. It offers a full suite of music creation tools without any upfront cost or subscription fees.

### What kind of instruments can I use?

You can play a wide variety of virtual instruments, including keyboards, guitars, basses, and drums, using Multi-Touch gestures. The app also offers Smart Instruments that simplify playing complex musical parts, and you can download additional instruments and loops from the Sound Library.

### Can I record external instruments like a guitar?

Yes, you can plug in a guitar or bass and play through classic virtual amps and effects. You can also record any sound using a microphone or a guitar, and even record performances from third-party music apps using Audio Unit Extensions.

### How many tracks can I use in a song?

You can record, arrange, and mix your song using up to 32 tracks. This allows for complex arrangements with multiple instrument layers, vocal tracks, and audio recordings.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.19 — 2026-08-13

This update includes stability improvements and bug fixes

### 2.3.18 — 2025-11-03

This update includes stability improvements and bug fixes

### 2.3.17 — 2024-09-26

This update includes stability improvements and bug fixes

### 2.3.16 — 2024-05-14

This update includes stability improvements and bug fixes

### 2.3.15 — 2023-09-19

This update includes stability improvements and bug fixes

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*