App to host media files / Apple Watch

[Mcrumors David]

Is there any app that can host media files (mp3) for the Apple Watch to be played offline?

(Do not want to use Apple Music, too limited)

 

[pacorob]

I know this is an old post but did want to answer since the location or the internet are so limited that there are some options in the App Store that can offer this are (i)Cloud based apps that can get your mp3 files from e.g. iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive:

- Videwatch (1.99 dollar / 2.49 euro, yes it's video focused but also supports music not sure about playlist options or so)
- BeatsBuddy (8.99 dollar / 10.99 euro)
- FlowTune: smart music player (0.99 dollar / 1.19 euro)
- Audify Music Player (free, not sure if this works offline on Apple Watch as well and reviews indicate there are issues to download from cloud services)

Both of the apps above are pay once. I know there are also a few subscription based apps around (VOX) but then you can better subscribe with e.g. a streaming app such as Spotify, Deezer, Pandora or iHeart in my opinion (although their catalogs aren't complete).

I'm still hoping my favorite iPhone offline player CloudBeats Pro (by Roman Burda) will offer it one day in the near future but for now they don't.

See also my Apple Watch audio collection (not online offline apps) which currently includes 60 apps and I'm actively maintaining.

 

[Mcrumors David]

I know this is an old post but did want to answer since the location or the internet are so limited that there are some options in the App Store that can offer this are (i)Cloud based app.......

Thank you for your reply, it's appreciated 🌠

My main problem was (is) that music files are not crossfaded and there is no equalizer. (Who can honestly run to music when after each track the music stops to cue the next, what a motivation-killer 🤢)

...I have since helped myself by just playing Spotify tracks and recording that (using Audio Hijack).
...I then cut the hours-long file into 1h bits (yes you cannot fast forward on the Apple-Watch, omg 🤢).
...I then use Audition to apply the Hard Limit and Equalizer to it, producing an .aac file and syncing that through to the Apple Watch (which is a fk... pain in the ...).
...I end up with what I can live with: going on runs and not having to carry my 300g phone like an idiot, wrist free (yes I carry the Apple Watch without band on my running shorts-pocket).


For shi.. and giggles 👉🏻

#thankyouforthisshitshowapple

 

[pacorob]

Oh wow that is quite some work to listen to your favorite tracks during a run. I do agree with you that a crossfade function would make a lot of sense.

The only apps that have Apple Watch support and have a crossfade feature (or at least in the main iOS not sure if this also applies to the Apple Watch) that I know are:
- VOX (subscription based)
- djay (I don't think it has offline functionality, it is subscription based for Pro features so no go for me unless the basic app

However I'm not certain if these offer offline functionality on the Apple Watch which is crucial of course and the expensive subscription price would be a no go for me as well.

I did find this:
- Stop&Go Music Player (free and paid version) which offers a crossfade option and has iCloud support (not sure if this is also on the Watch though but the app hasn't been updated since 2019 and unclear if it support offline feature on the Watch. Maybe good to reach out to the developer to ask as well (as I have).

I still hope my favorite CloudBeats Pro (pay once) would add Apple Watch support which I e-mailed the developer about before (which did add the Apple Automation support to listen to a playlist via headphone or car with a press of a button earlier when requested). The app does lack crossfading which I will request as well. It would help a lot if you also would contact the developer.

I'm still using a Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music but since the battery is getting worse and has sometimes messages that there is no GPS connection. It's time to upgrade soon and I was first thinking of the Apple Watch SE but decided to instead switch to a newer Garmin watch again since I would only use it during my runs together with my Shokz OpenMove (see also my post here).

 

[Mcrumors David]

I did try VOX - it only acts as Remote-Music control from the Apple Watch, 0 other features, same as Djay.

 

[pacorob]

I've reached out to a couple of developers to see if they can update their app since they do seem to tick a few of your boxes and many other runners with an Apple Watch. Maybe you could do the same the see if they can upgrade their apps to support the requested features and work with the latest WatchOS.

The best of the bunch as far as feature requests, however not up to date and reviews are bad due to this:
- Stop&Go Music Player (limited free and paid version available, offline, crossfade, not updated since 2019, no equalizer?, cloud sync problems according to App Store reviews) - have you tried the free version of this one?

Others:
- MixTape Audio Sync (offline cloud music on Watch, no equalizer or crossfade, last update 2018)
- Videwatch (offline iCloud music on Watch, no equalizer, crossfade and it seems no option for multiple playlists, had update in March '22)
- Watch Media Player (offline music on Watch via iCloud or otherwise local phone storage, no equalizer or crossfade, last update June '22)

There are also two apps (USB Disk SE - File Manager, File Manager - Exchange files) which could be an option as well if they added a crossfade and equalizer but slight chance they will since their focused on File Manager.

See also my updated list of Apple Watch supported music apps. Some offer offline Apple Watch support and the amount that offer equalizer and crossfade are even more limited as you have noticed.

It's sad that there are so many Apple Watch supported music apps in the store which haven't been updated in ages let alone offer offline, crossfade and equalizer functionality on the watch.