Apple TV as a karaoke machine: this is how you sing along (with yourself on screen since tvOS 17)

With Apple Music you can view song lyrics on all your devices. The lyrics also scroll along, making it easier to sing along with the music, which is especially useful on the Apple TV. In this tip we show you how to do karaoke on the Apple TV and what you need for it. The best way to do this is with Apple Music Sing, which since tvOS 17 has been given additional features that allow you to even put yourself on screen.

• New! Apple Music Sing expanded in tvOS 17
• Supplies
• To use
• Apps

Apple Music Sing also with yourself in the picture via the camera since tvOS 17

If you have an Apple TV 4K 2022 or newer, you can use Apple Music Sing on it. This is Apple Music’s karaoke feature for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV that lets you mute the vocals or leave them out altogether. Apple Music Sing also makes it easier to sing a duet, because it clearly indicates what person 1 and 2 should sing.

With tvOS 17, the karaoke function on the Apple TV becomes even more fun. You can use your own image by connecting an iPhone or iPad with iOS/iPadOS 17. You then use the camera of your device to capture your own face. The lyrics will then appear next to your head. There are also several filters to choose from, with a nice effect to complete your party.

The new function can be found in the camera icon, next to the Apple Music Sing button. You can also set the filters you want to use here. This function only works on the Apple TV 4K from 2022, with at least tvOS 17.

Below we will explain how to use Apple Music karaoke on the Apple TV, both on the latest model with Apple Music Sing and on earlier models. Because even though Apple Music Sing only works on the newer models, you can also sing along to the lyrics on older Apple TVs.

Don’t have Apple Music at all? Then you can use some apps that we mention at the bottom of this article. And if you don’t have an Apple TV, you can also use your iPhone in your hand to sing along to the scrolling lyrics in Apple Music.

This is what you need for karaoke on Apple TV

To sing along to the lyrics via the Music app on Apple TV, you need the following:

• Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K
• Only for Apple Music Sing: Apple TV 4K 2022
• Apple Music
• Alternative: special app

This is how you use Apple TV karaoke

Read below how to use it and choose the Apple TV you have:

• Sing on Apple TV 4K 2022
• Lyrics on Apple TV 4K 2021 and earlier

Apple Music Sing on Apple TV 4K 2022

With Apple Music Sing you can reduce the volume of the vocals or turn them off completely, so you can sing everything yourself. You then have, as it were, a special karaoke version. There is also a special duet display, so that it is clear who should sing what. And the animations with the scrolling lyrics also show when you need to sing something, just like with a real karaoke machine. Since tvOS 17, you can also use the image of your own face via the camera on your iPhone or iPad, so you can see yourself singing.

Here’s how to use Apple Music Sing on the Apple TV 4K 2022:

1. Open the Music app and choose the song you want to play.
2. Then press the menu or back button to reveal the additional options. Make sure you turn on the lyrics at the bottom. This button can be recognized by the “ symbol.
3. A button with microphone will appear at the bottom. Press this to adjust the vocals.
4. Use the + and – buttons on the remote control to change the volume of the original vocals. Set this as low as possible to only hear the music itself.
5. Look at the screen and sing.

If you also want to see yourself on television since tvOS 17, you can do this:

1. Enable Sing mode as described above.
2. Next to the Sing button you will find a Camera button. Press this and connect your iPhone or iPad to your Apple TV. Place it near the television, for example in a holder or with a cover.
3. Stand (or sit) in front of the television and sing. The song lyrics appear on the left of the screen, as it were, in front of your own face.
4. If you want to adjust the filter or effect, click on the Camera icon again and choose a filter.

Sing along to karaoke on older Apple TV

If you do not have an Apple TV 4K 2022 and therefore do not have Apple Music Sing, you can use Apple Music Sing in a detour. You can then forward the image from a suitable device to your Apple TV via AirPlay Mirroring. But we can imagine that this is not ideal, especially if you are with a group.

The usual scrolling lyrics are also available on older models. Some songs animate the lyrics and the duet view is also available. You can still sing along and use the karaoke function. But the original singing voice will still be present. So you will have to shout a little louder to drown this out. This works on Apple TV models from the Apple TV HD up to the Apple TV 4K 2021.

To use the Apple TV as a karaoke machine without Apple Music Sing, do the following:

1. First make sure that the screen saver is not activated automatically. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > General > Screen Saver.
2. Set the Show during music and podcasts option to No.
3. Now open the Music app and find the song you want to play.
4. Play the song. Then press the menu or back button to reveal the additional options.
5. Swipe down and go to the lyrics button at the bottom right. Press this to select the chat bubble.
6. The scrolling lyrics appear next to the album cover.

The great thing about this feature is that you only have to enable it once. The setting remains active until you turn it off yourself. This means that all music tracks are automatically played with moving lyrics, ideal for an evening of karaoke.

You can also scroll through the song by swiping on the remote control. You then immediately scroll to a part of the lyrics and the song, so that they always stay in sync.

If you really want to make the party complete, you can add a complete music system with microphone.

Apple TV karaoke with apps

Alternatively, you can also use karaoke apps that are suitable for the Apple TV. Some even let you use your iPhone as a microphone to sing along through your television. These are some apps you can choose from:

• Smule: Karaoke Music Studio (Free + IAPiPhone/iPad/TV, iOS 14.0+) – One of the most popular karaoke apps, with over 100,000 songs. You can link the iPhone version to the Apple TV version, so you can use it as a microphone.
• Karaoke One (Free + IAPiPhone/iPad/Mac/TV, iOS 17.0+) – This app offers a wide range and can be tried for free for a week. You create an account and can even gain followers (thanks to recordings via your iPhone).
• Karaoke on Demand (Free + IAPiPhone/iPad/TV, iOS 12.0+) – This app has a wide selection of special karaoke versions of well-known songs. Unfortunately, the app does not get the best reviews.