# TapeBoy: Retro Cassette Player — Mixtape widget for your music

> Animated cassette tape player widget for Apple Music and Spotify. (iPhone/iPad app by Mykyta Ivaniushchenko.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tapeboy-retro-cassette-player/id6781805772 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Mykyta Ivaniushchenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/6781805774)
- Category: Music, Lifestyle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 59 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish
- Released: 2026-07-03
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tapeboy-retro-cassette-player/id6781805772/reviews.md

## What is TapeBoy?

Your music deserves better than a list of track names.

TapeBoy turns whatever you're playing — on Apple Music or Spotify — into a fully animated cassette deck, right on your Home Screen. The reels spin, the playback head drops, the pinch roller clamps the tape, and the spools wind in real time as the song plays. It's the warmth of a mixtape, synced to your modern streaming library.

WORKS WITH YOUR MUSIC
 • Spotify and Apple Music both supported — link your account once and TapeBoy follows along.
 • Live now-playing sync. Skip, pause, or change songs and the deck updates automatically — no refreshing.
 • Transport controls built in: play, stop, previous, and next, on tactile hardware-style buttons.

A REAL DECK, NOT A GIF
TapeBoy isn't a looping animation — it's a simulation. The tape moves at a constant speed, so the empty spool spins faster than the full one and slows as it fills, exactly like the real thing. The head engages when you hit play and lifts when you pause. The pinch roller and guide rollers turn only while the tape rolls. Every detail is modeled.

MAKE IT YOURS
Build a cassette that looks like you:
 • Bodies — plastic in any color, translucent, camo (olive or pink), graffiti, or pride.
 • Two label styles — show the album artwork, or go full mixtape with hand-labeled stickers.
 • 12 sticker designs — stripes, rainbow, brownie, paper tape, pride sprinkles, and more.
 • 5 handwritten fonts — Caveat Brush, Permanent Marker, Walter Turncoat, Nerko One, and Marker Felt.
 • 3 reel faces — solid, dots, or lines.
 • Two deck looks — stand the cassette upright behind the glass, or lay it flat.
 • Custom colors for the body, tape, label text, and widget background.
A live preview updates as you tweak, so you can dial it in before it hits your screen.

NOW PLAYING, BEAUTIFULLY
The label shows the track title and artist in your chosen handwriting, with album art tucked alongside — or hidden, if you prefer the clean mixtape look.

HOME SCREEN WIDGETS 
 • Medium and Large widget sizes.
 • Live, animated reels that spin in sync with your music (one-time unlock).
 • Battery-friendly — the deck rests when playback stops.

Whether you grew up dubbing tapes or just love the aesthetic, TapeBoy gives your Home Screen a soulful new rhythm.

Press play. Watch it spin.

—
Apple Music features work with the Music app. Spotify control support requires the Spotify app and a Spotify Premium account. TapeBoy is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Spotify or Apple.

## Key features

- Real-time animated cassette deck simulation
- Works with Apple Music and Spotify
- Live sync with playback controls
- Customizable cassette bodies, labels, and stickers
- Multiple handwritten font options
- Home Screen widgets with animated reels

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Live Cassette Widget | $2.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tapeboy-retro-cassette-player/id6781805772/reviews.md

### 5/5 — app is nice and was a great surprise to find

*2026-08-01*

I like the retro style and feeling you get from it but it is still high quality and easy to interact with and customize

### 4/5 — So good! But plz fix Spotify!

*2026-07-25*

I love the app sm! And I invested in the live widget thing so it looks good with my new lay out, but I’ve notice when I leave the app and my playlist has gone onto the next song, I noticed the widget is still on the last song and stops moving. Plz fix this!

## Frequently asked questions about TapeBoy

### Does TapeBoy have ads?

No, TapeBoy does not contain advertisements. It is a free app with optional in-app purchases for additional customization features.

### How does TapeBoy sync with my music?

TapeBoy syncs live with your music playback from Apple Music or Spotify. It automatically updates the cassette animation when you play, pause, skip, or change songs, requiring no manual refreshing.

### What music services does TapeBoy support?

TapeBoy supports both Apple Music and Spotify. You can link your account once, and the app will follow along with your current playback.

### Can I customize the look of the cassette in TapeBoy?

Yes, TapeBoy offers extensive customization. You can choose from various cassette bodies, label styles, sticker designs, handwritten fonts, and reel faces, as well as custom colors for different elements.

### Does TapeBoy require a Spotify Premium account?

Yes, Spotify control support within TapeBoy requires a Spotify Premium account. Apple Music features work with the standard Music app.

### What are the Home Screen widget options for TapeBoy?

TapeBoy offers Medium and Large widget sizes for your Home Screen. These widgets feature live, animated reels that spin in sync with your music, and they are battery-friendly, resting when playback stops.

### Is TapeBoy available on Android devices?

Based on the provided data, TapeBoy is currently supported on iPhone devices only.

### How often is TapeBoy updated?

TapeBoy was last updated on July 29, 2026, indicating a recent update. The app is generally reliable and receives updates to enhance its features and compatibility.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.1 — 2026-08-19

- New vertical deck — your cassette now stands on end behind the glass. It's the default look.
- Prefer the classic? Switch between the vertical and horizontal deck any time in Customize → Deck.
- Both decks refreshed — real glass over the tape, machined interior behind it.

### 1.3.0 — 2026-08-06

• New vertical deck — your cassette now stands on end behind the glass. It's the default look.
• Prefer the classic? Switch between the vertical and horizontal deck any time in Customize → Deck.
• Both decks refreshed — real glass over the tape, machined interior behind it.

### 1.2.0 — 2026-07-29

• New Pride body — dress your deck in rainbow.
• New Pride Sprinkles sticker for your mixtape label.

### 1.1.1 — 2026-07-19

• Added a new sticker.

### 1.1.0 — 2026-07-14

• Now available in 4 more languages
• Small styling improvements

## Related topics

[cassette](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cassette)

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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 2026-08-27.*