# Lightning DS > iOS control app for AURALiC Lightning hardware, managing digital music libraries and playback. (iPhone/iPad app by AURALIC LIMITED.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-ds/id887436741 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [AURALIC LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/887436744) - Category: Music, Entertainment - Price: Free - Rating: 2.30/5 from 12 App Store ratings · 64 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 195 MB - Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Chinese (Simplified, China), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan) - Released: 2014-06-30 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-ds/id887436741/reviews.md ## What is Lightning DS? Lightning DS is the iOS control app for Lightning-enabled hardware from AURALiC. It’s an intuitive interface for browsing and searching your digital music library, controlling playback, creating playlists, adding favorites and much more. ## Key features - Browse digital music library - Search music library - Control playback - Create playlists - Add favorites - Manage AURALiC hardware ## Recent user reviews (10 of 64) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-ds/id887436741/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Intuitive! *2024-06-19* Came to this app from others as a result of ongoing frustrations. Glitchyness! (Word?) Simple, straightforward, stable. Apparently this app initially had issues which they all do. Ironed out clearly. ### 1/5 — Big disappointment!!! *2024-06-09* For a $6K streamer I would expect much much more! It keeps dropping wifi connection. The app is not connecting with the streamer so 90 % of itme I see a message „searching for streamer” The whole system, app including, is a big disfunctional piece of junk. Feels like a cheap Chinase piece of work ### 1/5 — Awful *2024-04-15, version 8.0* I’ve been using the app to try and reconnect and it just doesn’t work ### 1/5 — V *2024-03-18* No album cover shows up on my cd’s I downloaded,all of them. Terrible ### 1/5 — AirPlay broken *2024-03-13* Have to use old iPhone using 17.3 iOS version in order to stream Apple Music or anything via airplay! Streaming from NAS is fine streaming from USB is fine just not AirPlay! This company really needs to up its game regarding coding principal! Using Aries G1! AirPlay Support broken on iOS 17.4 ### 1/5 — Stopped working..Can’t find Server *2024-02-10, version 8.0* I loved this unit & app until the last update. Now, it doesn’t work at all. ### 1/5 — Aurilic Lightening DS *2024-02-09* Terrible,the app won’t load on my apple iPhone device. Tried everything possible rebooting,etc. but to no avail. ### 2/5 — Aries G2.1 *2024-01-20, version 8.0* Working fine for last couple years. Did not change anything with my home network or equipment. Latest update has caused the streamer to constantly drop connection. Support not helpful. Hopefully this gets resolved as I previously enjoyed the app. ### 1/5 — Needs updating *2023-12-29* Like the other review says, this app does not work properly with the newest iOS. Please fix asap!!! ### 1/5 — Dreadful *2023-12-23, version 7.9.2* Latest version of this app is just dreadful, lightning ds won’t scan my library properly, 5 mins into scanning and the streamer freezes and goes offline, never did this in the past, lightning ds has always been a bit buggy but this is ridiculous I can’t even use my streamer to play my music anymore, I bought the streamer (Auralic Aries G1)new awhile ago, I paid what is a lot of money for me and now I can’t even play my own music, what’s the point, might as well sell the Auralic and buy Lumin or Innuos.. ## Frequently asked questions about Lightning DS ### What does Lightning DS do? Lightning DS is an iOS control application designed for AURALiC's Lightning-enabled hardware. It provides a user-friendly interface to manage your digital music collection, control playback, and organize your audio experience. ### What are the key features of Lightning DS? Key features include intuitive browsing and searching of your digital music library, precise control over playback functions, the ability to create and manage custom playlists, and the option to mark and access your favorite tracks easily. ### Is Lightning DS free to use? Yes, Lightning DS is a free application. There are no upfront costs to download or use the core functionalities of the app. ### What devices is Lightning DS compatible with? Lightning DS is specifically designed for iOS devices and is intended to control Lightning-enabled hardware manufactured by AURALiC. It allows you to manage your music directly from your iPhone or iPad. ### How can I use Lightning DS to manage my music? You can use Lightning DS to connect to your AURALiC hardware and access your digital music files. The app allows you to browse your library, search for specific songs or artists, play music, create playlists for different moods or genres, and save frequently played tracks as favorites for quick access. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 8.1 — 2024-04-30 Add setup guide for S1 and ALTAIR G2.2 ### 8.0 — 2023-12-29 - Optimize the lunching sequence, app will wait longer till showing 'searching for streamer' window. - Adding new elements for input menu and preparing for future firmware update. - Change out misleading vTuner connection error message window. ### 7.9.2 — 2023-10-24 - Add support for loudness leveling feature - Add support for TIDAL MAX - Add option to view file path for local music library track - Fix issue related to iCloud backup - Improve operation of handling online streaming playlist and favorite (collection) - General interface optimization THIS IS THE LAST UPDATE FOR iOS 12, FUTURE UPDATES WILL REQUEST iOS 13 AND ABOVE. ### 7.9.1 — 2023-09-23 - Fix crash issue for old iOS 11 and iOS 12 devices - For other changes, please refer to version 7.9's release note. ### 7.9 — 2023-09-19 - Tested for iOS 17 - General performance improvement - Minor UI optimization - Initial support for Replay Gain function and be ready for future firmware ## Apps similar to Lightning DS | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Linn Kazoo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linn-kazoo/id848379604) | 2.6 (33) | Free | Music | | [Audirvāna Remote](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audirvana-remote/id1008281758) | 4.6 (817) | Free | Music | | [Roon](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roon/id1014764083) | 3.6 (547) | Free | Music | | [Roon ARC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roon-arc/id1555549544) | 3.3 (191) | Free | Music | | [JPLAY](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jplay/id1608773457) | 4.3 (47) | Free | Music | | [mconnect Player](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mconnect-player/id503760460) | 3.5 (77) | $5.99 | Music | --- *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 2026-06-10.*