# McIntosh AP1 Audio Player — user reviews > 152 indexed App Store user reviews of McIntosh AP1 Audio Player by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc., rated 2.90/5 from 118 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mcintosh-ap1-audio-player/id411263894/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mcintosh-ap1-audio-player/id411263894.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 32 · 4★ 18 · 3★ 10 · 2★ 17 · 1★ 41 ## What do users think of McIntosh AP1 Audio Player? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Great music player - 🎨 Beautiful design and UI - 💿 Plays music from device library - 🔊 Provides VU meters like McIntosh hardware **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes and bugs - 🔍 Lacks search and album browsing features - 🔊 VU meters not synced with music - 🔋 High battery consumption - 🔊 Playback issues (stops, jumps songs) - 🔧 Outdated and no longer supported **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes on launch - Playback issues (stops, jumps songs) - VU meters not working correctly - Incompatible with newer iOS versions **Most requested features** - Add EQ and crossfading options - Implement AirPlay support - Improve album and playlist browsing - Add portrait mode for iPad - Synchronize VU meters with music ## Newest reviews (18 of 152) ### 2/5 — Please update *2026-02-12, version 1.8* You guys are missing an opportunity here to have an app that people can use that would be more aspirational than you can imagine. Just spend a little and make it work across platforms like Spotify and the rest. ### 3/5 — Spotify access *2024-10-29, version 1.8* If it can go to apple app why not Spotify on my phone Like the graphics ### 4/5 — Why bother? *2024-02-20* i love my vintage McIntosh integrated amp (from 1975!) i'm sorry to say i don't love this app. it plays for 5 seconds, then quits. every time i use it. (used it, that is.) Part 2. this app remains a disappointment. it quits randomly, and is very easy to confuse. still needs a lot of work. a lot. Part 3. seems to have exterminated whatever bug what was keeping it from working. seems to work as intended now. ### 4/5 — Please add the ability to cast this *2023-05-25, version 1.8* Please add the ability to cast this app for the people that use casting technology please !!! 🙏😊 ### 4/5 — Doesn’t play the track displayed *2023-05-10, version 1.8* It shows a track, but is playing a different song. I don’t store music locally on my device but it asked permission to use Apple Music, so maybe the issue is centered around the Apple Music API? I’ll try it on another device next. ### 4/5 — Needs an Equaliser *2022-08-20, version 1.8* A great app. However reading other post, it definitely needs an equaliser and crossfading choices. I would be happy to pay a one off price to have these added facilities. It would then be able to compete with other apps that offer these choices. After all these years, I’m surprised there’s not being any real updates and a paid version with added features. ### 4/5 — Improved version is great *2022-03-16, version 1.8* I have had this app for a couple of years but it is only recently that the app has been developed to a high enough standard that it is actually usable. In its current state it is as usable as the Apple Music app is and it accesses the same music that is downloaded on my phone. I love the classic Macintosh look… In fact I love it so much that I spent $5000 on a Macintosh amplifier two years ago. My only wish is that this app were available on CarPlay with the same look and feel. ### 2/5 — Some Issues Need Resolved *2022-01-31, version 1.8* I actually really like the way that this app allows you to play music from the library on your phone, and get the cool blue McIntosh meters! However, as other reviewers have stated, this is not a good Music player. If you open another app while music is playing, and then go back to the McIntosh app, the music will stop playing altogether which basically makes this app unusable in my opinion. ### 4/5 — Needs improvement *2022-01-16, version 1.8* It is a very good app but crashes and consonant find my self reinstalling it but overall good app ### 1/5 — Really? *2021-07-23, version 1.8* No reverse or forward makes this pretty useless to music oriented people who purchase said type of electronics. Stupid to release a player with a name like this and no function. lol. Whatever ### 2/5 — Buggy *2021-07-16, version 1.8* Great app if I didn’t need to delete and reinstall every time I close it Premium amps and subpar app. Sad to see. ### 3/5 — Second vu meter *2021-03-13, version 1.8* Please add another vu meter for landscape mode on phones. To give people the experience who cannot afford McIntosh system in their room or cars. ### 2/5 — Over and Out *2021-01-17, version 1.8* This could have been something wonderful, but it is obvious that development was dropped before the product was allowed to mature. Sad. As it stands, AP1 is primitive in functionality and I would recommend going elsewhere for a music player. ### 1/5 — Why Bother? *2020-12-15, version 1.8* I have a MA5300 is OK at best. Don’t want to reminded of spending too much $$$ on a super hyped product. ### 2/5 — Beautiful app, but glitchy and no longer supported *2020-12-11, version 1.8* Beautiful UI, but unfortunately you need to keep it open for it to work. If you switch to another app, the music stops playing if you try and return to the player. If your phone display is set to turn off after a minute or two, again the app will stop playing and the music must be re-started. The only way around it is to keep your iPhone display on indefinitely and not switch to another app. Looks like McIntosh, has stoped supporting it sadly. Understandable as it’s a free app. I would have paid good money for this if it was working properly. This was too good to be true, sadly. The only to have to have that McIntosh experience is to shell out big bucks I guess. ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2020-11-15, version 1.8* I was so disappointed in this app I thought coming from McIntosh I would be better but this app is buggy the meters work some of the time music don’t recognize all my song on the iPad. I give it two stars cause it do look cool to bad it didn’t work well. ### 1/5 — Can’t find my music. Total junk *2020-09-25, version 1.8* The title says it all. It won’t see my music installed on my iPad Pro. ### 4/5 — Great, but needs an update *2020-08-12, version 1.8* I love using this with the rest of my Mc Intosh gear. Would love to have a search option! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Phần mềm rất hay mà bị lỗi trên app store, trên mac os mở được phần mềm mà không mở được nhạc *2026-02-21, version 1.8* Phần mềm rất hay mà không hiểu sao bị lỗi ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-11-28, version 1.8* It simply does not work. Meters do not match music being played. Your device will play whatever it had paused in Apple Music regardless of what you select in AP1. ### 1/5 — Outdated App *2025-03-27, version 1.8* Wish it could connect to Apple music stream service. ### 1/5 — Play button non-functional *2024-04-20, version 1.8* Beautiful app… just doesn’t work. All other functionality seems fine e.g. skip forward/backward, library, etc. but when you press the play button… nothing. ### 1/5 — Could Be Revived With StandBy Mode! *2023-10-17, version 1.8* Somewhat of a novelty app. Functionality has waned without any updates and there’s almost zero reason to use it. If they could update to take advantage of new StandBy mode it might actually be used. It could be what this app has been waiting for to shine. ### 1/5 — Nice idea, bad execution. *2023-10-04, version 1.8* Not much else to say. ### 1/5 — Stupid app *2023-05-24, version 1.8* This app is totally stupid the meter isn’t synchronized to the music or volume level. Like what’s the point. Really! ### 1/5 — Depressing *2022-10-11, version 1.8* Sadly, for all the emphasis on quality this company seemingly prides itself on, this ince great app has grown outdated and buggy as one version after another of ios passes it by… It hasn’t been updated in years, so I’d ask why even keep it out there at this point. Update it or take it down. Sad. ### 1/5 — Pointless *2022-08-07, version 1.8* Come on McIntosh, is there even a need to have this app at all? What’s the point in it? It adds nothing to the iOS experience, adds zero music listening functionality, none. And because it is so buggy, the mere ability of users to download this and put it on their phone or pad simply tarnishes the brand. Terrible software floating out there with your name on it. ### 1/5 — No workey *2021-12-10, version 1.8* I couldn’t get the app to work at all. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great Music App *2026-01-15, version 1.8* Easy to use and gives you all the controls you need to enjoy the music. I’ve had for over 3 years. ### 5/5 — The Best for Audio Quality *2022-10-12, version 1.8* I have tried all of the “Audiophile Quality” music players on the app store and this one, to me, sounds the best. Detail, “air”, and musicality are all there. I recommend it highly! ### 5/5 — Love it! Thank you! *2019-04-24, version 1.8* I bought a C26, MC2105, MR77, and MI3 almost 50 years ago and they are all still going strong! Love your gear! And now I have your VU meter on my iPhone X. Looks great on the black glass. And your app is much better laid out than the Apple iTunes app. I’m delighted. Thank you! ### 5/5 — carplay please *2019-01-29, version 1.8* please ### 5/5 — Beautiful audio interface experience *2017-11-18* I’ve used this app periodically for years, from the iPhone 3 I think. Earlier iterations were definitely buggy, but this version, just downloaded on to a recent generation iPad works seamlessly. Folks complaining have to have other issues with their gear. It’s pretty, informative and well, so very McIntosh. 5 Stars. ### 5/5 — GREAT APP! PLEASE ADD PORTRAIT MODE🙏🙏🙏 *2017-09-16, version 1.8* I have an iPad Pro mounted vertically for my McIntosh sound system. This app looks great and matches the look of my system. Now I just need portrait mode and my life is complete! 😋 ### 5/5 — Great app *2017-07-03, version 1.8* The best music app out there! * easy to navigate * no advertising to unwanted streaming services * doesn't forget what song you were playing * doesn't play a random song when docked * gapless playback ### 5/5 — Great Audio Player App *2017-06-26, version 1.8* Now compatible with iOS 10.3.2 ### 5/5 — The Best Audio Player *2017-06-23* I've used this app for many years. I feel it's the best and most convenient audio player in the App Store. Not only is it simple to use, it has the look of the McIntosh Meters when you are using it. Just like the equipment they make, it's awesome to look at! ### 5/5 — Nicely designed music player with retro feel *2016-01-06, version 1.7* If you miss VU meters you'll love the design of this player. Sounds good with a nicely put together GUI which promotes the brand without overdoing it. --- *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 2026-08-18.*