Exporting a track from an iPhone means rendering everything in your project (all tracks, effects, and the mix) down to a single audio file you can share, upload, or move into another app. Here's how that process works and which format to pick.
What You Need
- A finished (or finished enough) project in a music app that supports audio export
- A sense of where the file needs to end up: a streaming platform, another app, a message to a collaborator, or just your own files
Step 1: Finish Your Mix First
Export captures exactly what's currently playing, mute states, solo states, and all, so get your mix into a state you're happy with before exporting. Anything left muted or soloed will carry into the exported file.
Step 2: Choose WAV or a Compressed Format
WAV is uncompressed and preserves full audio quality, which matters if you plan to master the track further, upload it somewhere that re-encodes audio anyway, or archive the highest-quality version. A compressed format like AAC or MP3 is smaller and plays back at close to the same quality for most listening situations, which is usually enough for sharing a track directly.
Step 3: Set the Export Scope
If your app organizes music into loops or sections, decide whether you're exporting a single loop or an entire arranged song. Exporting the wrong scope is a common mistake, especially after building multiple sections.
Step 4: Choose Fade and Extra Options
Many apps offer a fade-out option for loop-based exports, since a loop that just stops abruptly rarely sounds intentional. If your project includes a drone or ambient layer, check whether it's set to be included in the export or not.
Step 5: Render the File
Start the export and let it process. Longer exports (a full arranged song versus a short loop) naturally take more time to render.
Step 6: Save or Share Immediately
Exported files are often placed in a temporary location on iOS rather than permanent storage, since export is usually followed immediately by sharing. Use the share sheet to save to Files, send to another app, upload somewhere, or message it to someone right away, rather than assuming the file will still be there later.
WAV vs MP3/AAC: Quick Reference
| Format | Best For | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| WAV | Further mastering, archiving, uploading to platforms that re-encode anyway | Larger file size |
| AAC / MP3 | Sharing directly, quick listening, smaller file sizes | Slight quality loss versus WAV, generally inaudible for casual listening |
ARC-24 exports both formats directly from the app, for a single loop or a full arranged song, with an optional fade-out and control over whether the drone layer is included in the render. Files are shared immediately after export rather than stored permanently on the device. Learn more at arc24.app.
FAQ
Should I export as WAV or MP3?
Export as WAV if you plan to master the track further or want the highest possible quality preserved. Export as AAC or MP3 if you're sharing the track directly and want a smaller file size, since the quality difference is generally inaudible for casual listening.
Why isn't my exported file showing up in my Files app?
Some apps save exported files to a temporary location rather than permanent storage, expecting you to share or save the file immediately after export. Check your app's share sheet right after exporting rather than looking for the file later.
Can I export just part of a song instead of the whole thing?
Yes, if your app supports exporting a single loop or section separately from a full arranged song. Check the export settings for a scope option before rendering.
Does muting a track affect the exported file?
Yes. Export generally captures the mix exactly as it's currently set, so any muted or soloed tracks at the time of export will be muted or soloed in the final file as well.