How To Add A Song From YouTube On Mobile
Yes, you can do it on your phone. Play the song on your iPhone or Android phone and Riffloop records it as it plays, ready to split into parts. On a computer, you can paste the YouTube link into Riffloop Studio instead.
Short answer
Can you add a song from YouTube on mobile?
Yes. On iPhone or Android, use Record: start a recording in Riffloop, play the song, then stop. The recording lands in your songs, ready to split like any other. On a computer, paste the YouTube link into Riffloop Studio instead, with nothing to record.
Before you start
- A Riffloop account. Use the same one on your computer and your phone, and your plan comes with you.
- On a phone: the Riffloop app for iPhone (iOS 26 or later) or Android (Android 12 or later).
- On a computer: any browser for Riffloop Studio, or Chrome for the extension.
Which way should I use?
| Where you are | What to use | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone or Android | Record, in the Riffloop app | Riffloop records the sound your phone plays, up to 10 minutes. |
| Mac or PC | Riffloop Studio, or the Riffloop Chrome extension | Paste the link, or open the video. Nothing to record. |
On iPhone: record it with Record
- Open Riffloop, tap Add, then Record.
- Tap Start recording, then Start Broadcast. iPhone calls it a screen broadcast because it has no audio-only option. Riffloop keeps the sound and nothing else.
- Switch to the app that plays the song, for example YouTube, and play it from the start.
- When the song ends, switch back to Riffloop and tap Stop recording.
- Drag the ends to trim the silence, then tap Save. The recording joins your Songs, ready to split.
You'll find the recording at the top of your Songs, named with the date and time. Tap it and choose Remove vocals, Stem separation or Backing track.
On Android: record it with Record
- Open Riffloop, tap Add, then Record, then Start recording.
- The first time, Android asks for the microphone permission, because that is where Android keeps access to the phone's own audio. Riffloop records what your phone plays, not the room.
- Android then asks to share your screen, because it has no audio-only option. Tap Start now (on Android 14 and later, Start). Riffloop keeps the sound and nothing else.
- Switch to the app that plays the song, for example YouTube, and play it from the start.
- When the song ends, come back to Riffloop and tap Stop recording, or tap the Riffloop recording notification.
- Drag the ends to trim the silence, then tap Save. The recording joins your Songs, ready to split.
You'll find the recording at the top of your Songs, named with the date and time. Tap it and choose Remove vocals, Stem separation or Backing track.
Tips for a clean recording
- Start the recording first, then press play. That way you never miss the first notes, and you can trim the silence before you save.
- Let the ad finish first. Start recording when the song itself begins, or trim the ad out before you save.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb so nothing interrupts the song while it records.
- Up to 10 minutes per recording. Riffloop stops there by itself.
- Silent recording? Some apps protect their audio, and it records as silence. Use Riffloop Studio on a computer instead.
On the free plan, your first song splits in full, then you split sections of up to 60 seconds. Pro splits whole songs. Riffloop is for personal practice and study, so use it with music you have the right to use.
On a computer: paste the link in Riffloop Studio
At a Mac or PC, you can skip the recording: the sound comes straight from the link.
- On your Mac or PC, open studio.riffloop.app and sign in with the same account you use in the app.
- Click Start a new song and paste the YouTube link. Riffloop shows the song, ready for you to pick a part.
- Choose the part of the song you want to work on, then separate it.
- Use the mixer as usual: mute your part, loop the hard bar, slow it down or change the key.
Songs brought in from a link are for practising in the Studio. To export stems as files, upload your own audio. The Studio guide covers everything else.
Or use the Chrome extension
With the Riffloop extension for Chrome, you split the song right on the YouTube page, on the video you are watching. Sections go up to 1 minute free, or 10 minutes on Pro. See Split a song into stems.
Frequently asked questions
Can I paste a YouTube link into the Riffloop phone app?
No. The iPhone and Android apps add songs from files, videos and Cloud Storage links to a file. For a song on YouTube, paste the link into Riffloop Studio on your Mac or PC, or use Record on the phone.
Does Record use the microphone?
No. On iPhone, Record never uses the microphone; it takes the sound your phone is playing. Android asks for the microphone permission because that is where Android keeps access to the phone's own audio, but Riffloop records what the phone plays, not the room.
Why did my recording come out silent?
Some apps protect their audio, and it records as silence. If that happens, use Riffloop Studio on a computer instead.
How long can a recording be?
Up to 10 minutes. Riffloop stops the recording there by itself.
Can I export stems from a YouTube song in the Studio?
Songs brought in from a YouTube link are for practising in the Studio. To export stems as files, upload your own audio.
Still need help? Contact the Riffloop support team →