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How to Make a Karaoke Version of Any Song on iPhone
You do not need a karaoke subscription or a special file. With an AI stem-separation app you can turn almost any song you own into a sing-along track, in your key, in a few minutes. This guide uses Riftone, the app we make.
Step by step
- Pick a song you can importSongs bought and downloaded to your iPhone, files in the Files app, a direct audio URL, a recording or a video from your camera roll all work. Apple Music subscription (streaming) songs are copy-protected and cannot be imported.
- Tap Import and choose a sourceOpen the Import tab and pick iTunes, Files, URL, Record audio or Camera Roll. Riftone sends the track to the cloud for separation.
- Wait while the stems are preparedThe AI splits the song into vocals, drums, bass, guitar, piano and other. A typical song takes a minute or two; you see progress in your Library.
- Open the song and mute VocalsIn the editor you get one control per stem. Mute the vocals stem and play: what you hear is your karaoke backing track.
- Change the key to fit your voiceUse Pitch to move the key up or down by up to 12 semitones, and Tempo (BPM) if the song is too fast to sing along. The two are independent.
- Trim the clip (optional)Use Trim to cut to just the chorus or the part you want to practise.
- Export the backing trackIn Export choose Audio mix to save the karaoke version with the vocals muted, or Separated tracks to save each stem. Save to Files or share it to another app.
Free to download. Separating your own songs needs a subscription (see FAQ).
Karaoke mix versus a plain instrumental
A good karaoke track is more than "no singer". With stem separation you decide how much of the original vocal remains. Mute the vocals stem for a full backing track. For learning a song, leave vocals on at a low volume as a guide, then mute them when you are ready to sing alone. Because the guitar, piano and bass are separate stems, you can also turn one down if it clashes with your voice.
Tips for best results
- Start from the best source. A lossless or high-bitrate file separates more cleanly than a low-quality download or a video rip.
- Expect small leftovers. Reverb tails and backing harmonies sometimes stay partly in the music, and a faint vocal "ghost" can be audible on dense mixes. This is a limit of every AI separator, not just this one.
- Studio recordings beat live ones. Crowd noise and a live room mix everything together, so the split is less clean.
- Use a direct file, not a URL, when you can. Importing from iTunes or Files gives better results than a URL.
- Keep the key in a range you can sing. Move it a few semitones rather than the maximum 12; large shifts sound more processed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a karaoke version of a song on iPhone?
Import the song into an AI stem-separation app such as Riftone, wait for it to split into stems, mute the vocals stem and export the audio mix. The result is a karaoke backing track, and you can change the key to fit your voice while you play it.
Is making a karaoke version free?
Riftone is free to download and you can try the built-in demo tracks. Separating your own songs needs Riftone Premium, an auto-renewing subscription. The weekly plan includes a 3-day free trial; the price is shown in the app before you subscribe, and you can cancel any time in iPhone Settings. You can try the built-in demo tracks without paying.
Can I make a karaoke track from an Apple Music or Spotify song?
Not directly. Streaming songs are copy-protected, so the app can only import music you own as a file, songs purchased and downloaded to the iPhone, or your own recordings.
Will the karaoke track keep backing vocals?
Usually the lead vocal is removed while some backing vocals or reverb may remain, depending on how the song was mixed. There is no separate backing-vocals stem; the six stems are vocals, drums, bass, guitar, piano and other.
Can I change the key and speed of the karaoke track?
Yes. Pitch shifts up to 12 semitones either way and tempo can be changed separately, so you can fit a song to your voice without it sounding chipmunk-fast.
What file formats can I export?
Export is M4A by default, and lossless WAV is available on iPhone. You can export the full audio mix or the separated tracks.
How long does it take?
A typical song takes about a minute or two, depending on its length and your connection. Separation runs in the cloud, so you need internet while it processes.
Is it legal to make and use a karaoke version?
For private practice and personal karaoke this is generally fine. Publishing, performing commercially or selling the backing track needs permission from the rights holders.