Have you ever tried using the Shazam app on your iPhone XS Max only to find it doesn’t recognize songs? This can be incredibly frustrating when you’re trying to identify a catchy tune. There are a few reasons why Shazam may not work properly on an iPhone XS Max running iOS 12.1.4. In this blog post, we’ll explore the likely causes and solutions so you can get back to discovering music with Shazam.
Shazam is a popular song identification app that listens to music playing around you and tells you what song it is. It uses the built-in microphone on your iPhone to capture audio fingerprints of songs that it matches against its extensive database of music.
When Shazam is working properly, it can identify songs playing on speakers, TV commercials, the radio, and more. However, many users have reported issues getting accurate results when trying to use Shazam on an iPhone XS Max running iOS 12.1.4.
If you’ve recently upgraded to this iPhone model and operating system version, you may be wondering why the Shazam app won’t recognize songs like it used to. There are a few key troubleshooting steps you can try to get Shazam working again.
About the Shazam App
Before we dig into why Shazam isn’t working, let’s do a quick overview of what this app is and how it functions.
Shazam is an audio recognition app owned by Apple. It uses the microphone on your iPhone to capture audio samples and creates acoustic fingerprints to match against its database of over 40 million songs.
Within seconds of hearing a song, Shazam can identify the song title, artist name, and other useful information, which it displays on your phone screen. You also have the option to play song previews, view music videos, and connect to Spotify or Apple Music to save songs you’ve tagged.
Shazam has been around since the early 2000s and its core audio matching technology continues improving over time. The app is free to download on the App Store and is compatible with most Apple devices running up-to-date operating systems.
Now let’s look at some of the common issues that could explain why Shazam isn’t working properly on your iPhone XS Max after upgrading to iOS 12.1.4.
Common Reasons Shazam Won’t Recognize Songs
Here are some of the most likely explanations for why Shazam can’t identify songs on your iPhone XS Max:
- Incompatible or outdated iOS version – Shazam may not fully support iOS 12.1.4 yet or could have bugs causing problems. Updating to the latest iOS can help.
- Outdated app version – If you haven’t updated Shazam recently, an outdated app could be the culprit. Try deleting and reinstalling Shazam.
- Microphone access disabled – Make sure Shazam has permission to use your iPhone microphone in Settings.
- Poor internet connection – Shazam requires an internet connection to match audio fingerprints. Switch off Wi-Fi and try a cellular data connection.
- Too much ambient noise – Loud environments make it hard for Shazam to isolate the audio of a song. Move to a quieter spot.
- Low volume of song – Shazam needs a certain audio quality to recognize a song. Turn up the volume and move microphone closer to song source.
- Device compatibility issues – Though rare, there may be device-specific bugs affecting Shazam on your iPhone model. Check with Shazam support.
Now that we’ve covered some possible reasons, let’s go through steps to troubleshoot and fix Shazam to get it working properly again.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re wondering why does Shazam not work on my iPhone XS Max with iOS 12.1.4, try these troubleshooting tips:
Check Device Compatibility
Start by visiting the App Store listing for Shazam and scroll down to check the compatibility. Make sure your iPhone XS Max running iOS 12.1.4 is listed as a supported device. If you see any reviews mentioning issues with your device and operating system, it may be a widespread compatibility problem.
Update to the Latest iOS Version
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates for iOS. Even going from iOS 12.1.4 to 12.1.5 could include bug fixes impacting Shazam’s functionality. Keep your operating system up-to-date.
Reinstall the Shazam App
Sometimes glitches within the app can cause problems recognizing songs. Try deleting Shazam from your iPhone and reinstalling a fresh copy from the App Store. Before deleting, make sure any songs you’ve tagged are backed up.
Allow Microphone Access
Shazam requires microphone access to function properly. Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and make sure Shazam is on the list of apps allowed to use your microphone. Toggle the setting for Shazam on if it’s disabled.
Use Airplane Mode
Since Shazam relies on an internet connection, try switching on Airplane mode before using the app. This will eliminate any connectivity issues as a cause. Shazam can still identify songs without an internet connection.
Ensure Adequate Volume
Shazam needs to adequately hear a song to identify it. Make sure to turn up the volume on the source playing the music. Also try moving your phone’s microphone closer to speakers or headphones. This improves the audio quality going into the app.
Try Different Environments
Very loud or echoing rooms can make it hard for Shazam to accurately recognize songs. If possible, go into a quiet enclosed space like a library, office, or closet when using the app. This minimizes interfering ambient noises.
Contact Shazam Support
If you still can’t get Shazam working after trying these tips, reach out to Shazam’s customer support online or on social media. They may be able to diagnose a problem specific to your iPhone model and iOS version. Provide details on troubleshooting you’ve tried.
Following these troubleshooting steps should help you isolate why Shazam isn’t working and get the app recognizing music again on your iPhone XS Max with iOS 12.1.4.
FAQ’s about Shazam Not Working
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about problems getting Shazam to identify songs:
Why does Shazam not work on my iPhone XS Max with iOS 12.1.4?
Some common reasons are an outdated Shazam app version, disabled microphone access, poor internet connection, too much ambient noise, low volume of the song source, or compatibility issues with your specific iPhone and iOS models.
What should I try first to fix Shazam?
Start by updating to the latest available version of iOS in case bugs were fixed. Also delete and reinstall Shazam, then allow microphone access. Move to a quieter spot and turn up the volume before trying again.
Does Shazam require internet to work?
Shazam needs an internet connection to match the audio fingerprints it captures against its online database. Try switching to a stable Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. Airplane mode allows it to identify songs offline.
Why does Shazam work better in some environments?
Loud or echoing rooms make it difficult for Shazam to isolate the audio sample. Use Shazam in enclosed quiet spaces for best results. Get closer to speakers or singing to pick up a cleaner audio source.
How do I backup my tagged songs in Shazam before deleting the app?
Open Shazam and tap on My Shazam > Settings icon > Sync My Shazam. This will securely back up your library. You can restore it after reinstalling Shazam from a backup.
Conclusion
In summary, Shazam may fail to recognize songs on an iPhone XS Max running iOS 12.1.4 for issues like an outdated app or operating system, disabled microphone access, connectivity problems, too much ambient noise, or even device-specific compatibility bugs.
Follow the step-by-step troubleshooting guide provided to systematically isolate and resolve the problem. Make sure to keep Shazam and iOS updated and allow microphone permissions. Move to quieter environments closer to the audio source. Reinstalling Shazam often helps too.
With the right troubleshooting and settings, you should be able to get Shazam working again reliably on your iPhone. If problems persist, reach out to Shazam customer support or search for newer iOS updates that may contain fixes.
I hope these tips help you discover why Shazam isn’t working and the solutions to fix it on your iPhone XS Max with iOS 12.1.4 installed. Now you can get back to quickly identifying any catchy tune that comes your way.