Let's Do This Thing

ZOMG! Let's Get You Started with OnSong (Finally!)

In this guide, we're gonna hold your hand through the absolute bare-minimum stuff you need to know to actually use OnSong without crying. We'll throw a lotta links at the gigantic user manual, but mainly we're here to get you from "huh?" to "oh, I GET it!" — fast. You're welcome.

The Fine Print (aka Requirements)

OnSong^® runs on iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch with iOS/iPadOS 15 or newer. It also works on Intel & Apple Silicon Macs runnin' Big Sur or fresher. Got a crusty old device? Time to upgrade, bestie — Apple & OnSong aren't waitin' around for your ancient hardware. BUT if you already bought the old stuff, you can like, totally download that ancient version from the App Store on whatever dinosaur OS you're rockin'. Nostalgia, amirite?

Get It Installed

OnSong^® is ONLY on the App Store & Mac App Store. Search "OnSong" or snag it here. Free download, but features are locked behind an OnSong^® subscription (shocking, we know). You get all the shiny new stuff, features, & that fancy premium tech support that actually responds.

Already paid for OnSong back in 2020 when it was a one-time thing? Cool. You can still run OnSong 2020 — just sign in with your original Apple ID & grab it from the App Store. Fair warnin': it's missing like ALL the new hotness & doesn't get all the bells & whistles, but we patch it sometimes so it doesn't totally explode on your device.

Pro tip: Buy OnSong once with your Apple ID? Download it free on your other devices (same Apple ID required). Subscribe to OnSong? Log in to ANY OnSong^® App with your OnSong^® Account & boom — all your premium stuff follows you around like a clingy friend.

Fire It Up

Once it downloads, you'll see the icon on your home screen (genius, right?). Tap it. Boom. App opens. You get a sign-in prompt.

Open Says Me

Gotta sign in to use OnSong. You can skip it & use the free version if you hate having nice things. But to unlock the fun stuff? You're signin' in, buddy.

Take a Look Around

Open the app & ZOMG there's a whole interface starin' at you! Most of the screen's got a demo song called Welcome to OnSong (so creative, right?). Up top is the Hamburger Bar — that's where literally EVERYTHING lives. Bottom right corner? That's the Live Bar where you flip on stuff like Autoscroll, Backing Tracks, & the Metronome. Let's add an actual song before you lose your mind.

Your Hoarder's Collection (aka Song Library)

Tap Songs in the top left to open the Songs Menu. You'll see a list. Tap the icon in the top left corner to pop open the drawer & see all your weird organizational schemes.

Snag Some Songs

Hit the import button in the bottom right to get to the Add Songs screen. Lotsa ways to grab files from storage or content sites. OnSong's cool with like, a million file formats. We're gonna use Dropbox cuz it's wireless & works anywhere with internet. You gotta set up Dropbox & let OnSong access it one time — that's it. Then just poke around & pick files & tap Import. They download & appear in your library. Boom. All Songs list shows your new imports in the Song Viewer.

Wanna pull from the internet? OnSong's got the Add To OnSong Extension so you can grab from chord & lyrics sites. Some bands are extra & post backing tracks & loops too! Extension handles any file format OnSong supports.

Look at Your Song

Pick a song from the Songs Menu & it loads into the Song Viewer. Scroll up & down or tap the top & bottom of the screen. Looks good? Or nah? You can fix it or switch files. Tap the pages icon with the checkmark to peek at Attachments & see what else is attached.

Messing with Your Songs

Plain text chord charts are OnSong's jam (though you can import Word, PDF, & other stuff too). To edit text-based charts, tap Edit Chords & Lyrics at the bottom to get to the Song Editor. Nerd out about OnSong & ChordPro formats if you're feelin' spicy.

Other formats? Tap the + button at the bottom to import more, or edit 'em yourself. Check the Attachments Menu for the deets.

Make It Pretty

Tap the sliders icon in the Hamburger Bar to open the Style Preferences Menu. Change fonts, sizes, highlight chords or capo & transposition stuff. Mess around & watch the magic happen. Use the document tab to tweak how songs look & toggle Low Light Mode when you're bein' all dramatic.

Stick a Sticky Note on It

Wanna annotate? Tap the annotations icon in the Hamburger Bar to open the Annotations Menu. Pick Sticky Note & plonk it on screen. Use the Note Editor to write your genius thoughts. Tap Done, then drag the note where you want it. Double-tap to edit again. Tap the "A" to open the Appearance Menu & change colors & stuff. Tap Done to lock it in.

Build a Set List

Got two songs? Time for a set! Tap Songs in the Hamburger Bar to open the Songs Menu. Tap the button top left to open the Drawer & pick Active Sets under Sets. See all your active sets? Tap the + button at the bottom to make a new one. Set the date & optional title, tap Done.

Empty set? You'll get a screen to add songs. If not, tap the set to view it & tap + bottom right to pick songs. Checkmark both songs, tap Done. Now you got a two-song set! Rearrange 'em by tapping Edit top right to enter edit mode where you can drag & drop to your heart's content. Tap Done to save.

Don't Lose Everything (Backup!)

As your song library becomes your most precious possession, make a backup so you don't lose your mind when disaster strikes. You can always restore from that file & sleep soundly again.

Need Help? We're Here (Sort Of)

Ton of resources for learnin' OnSong. Hit our Resources page for video tutorials & the knowledge base. You can also Get Support straight from inside the app. Members of OnSong Premium? You can Fast Track your support request so we actually respond before the heat death of the universe.

Keep Goin' Down the Rabbit Hole

OnSong's packed with stuff you probably don't need but will use anyway. Check the Features section of the manual to level up. Wanna learn about a specific screen or button? Dig into the User Interface section & prepare to have your mind blown.