GarageBand is a great way to quickly create music on your iPhone or iPad. We show how to get started with one of Apple's best software offerings.
Learn what’s new in GarageBand for iOS
Get free sound packs from the Sound Library, build grooves with the Beat Sequencer, share and store songs and audio files with the Files app, and more.
Featured topics
Use Drummer Loops in GarageBand for Mac
Quickly add drums to your song using Drummer Loops, a type of Apple Loop that you can customize to fit your song.
Learn how to use Drummer Loops in GarageBandWork with percussionists in GarageBand for Mac
Use Drummer to add dynamic percussion parts to your song, available in three percussion styles—Latin, Pop, or Songwriter.
Add percussion to your GarageBand song using DrummerIf you can't record audio after a macOS Mojave update
After installing macOS Mojave on your Mac, you might not be able to record audio in Logic Pro X, MainStage, GarageBand, Final Cut Pro X, or third-party audio and video apps.
Learn what to do if you can't record audio after updating to macOS MojaveAbout GarageBand 6.0.5 compatibility in macOS
Learn about changes coming to macOS and how to update to GarageBand 10 for macOS.
Find out how to update to GarageBand 10 for macOSLearn more
Have a question? Ask everyone.
The members of our Apple Support Community can help answer your question. Or, if someone’s already asked, you can search for the best answer.
Ask about GarageBand for MacAsk about GarageBand for iOSTell us how we can help
Answer a few questions and we'll help you find a solution.
Making Music On Garageband Ipad
Get support
GarageBand is a music composition and playing app that has been pre-installed on Mac computers for a while, and now it’s available for iPad. You have to buy the app for about $5 from the App Store. After you install it, you can start making music as follows:
1Tap GarageBand on the Home screen where it appears.
A menu of instruments appears. Swipe left or right to scroll through the instruments.
2Tap an instrument, such as Keyboard, to display it.
Each instrument has slightly different options, but all allow you to record what you play on the virtual instrument, play it back, visit any songs you have saved, control volume, and return to the main menu of Instruments. Tapping the Instruments button allows you to change to a different instrument.
3Tap the Instrument Settings button to control settings such as echo and reverb.
These options let you give your music cool effects. The Song Settings button lets you add sounds or adjust the tempo.
4Tap the instrument to produce sounds.
If you want to record what you’re playing, tap the Record button to start recording and tap it again when you’re done.
5Playback what you've recorded by tapping My Songs, tapping an item, and then tapping the Play button.
Play with all the instruments and sounds. You can’t break anything and the great built-in help system can help you figure out most features!