Apple Buying Shazam: The Real Story

Yes, Apple officially acquired Shazam in 2018. The purchase, announced in December 2017 and completed on September 24, 2018, brought the popular music recognition app under Apple’s umbrella for a reported $400 million. This article explains why Apple made the deal, what has changed for users since then, and what it means for the future of music discovery.

Background: Why Apple Wanted Shazam

Before the acquisition, Shazam was already a massive success. Launched in 2002 as a text-message-based song identification service, it had grown into one of the most-used mobile apps in the world, with over 100 million monthly active users by 2017. The app’s core function—identifying a song from a short audio clip—was both technically impressive and deeply integrated into the daily lives of music fans.

Apple had several strategic reasons for buying Shazam. First, Shazam was already deeply integrated with Apple Music, offering a button that let users add identified songs directly to their Apple Music library. Apple wanted to deepen that integration and make it seamless. Second, Shazam’s massive user base and data on listening habits provided valuable insights into music trends and emerging artists, which could inform Apple Music’s editorial playlists and recommendations. Third, the acquisition removed a popular app from the hands of competitors, particularly Spotify, which also had a Shazam integration.

Regulators in the European Union initially raised concerns that the deal could reduce competition in the music streaming market, but they cleared it in September 2018 after concluding that Shazam’s data and user base would not give Apple an unfair advantage.

How Shazam Works Technically

Shazam uses an audio fingerprinting algorithm. When you tap the Shazam button, the app records a short sample (usually 10-15 seconds) and creates a unique digital fingerprint based on the audio’s spectrogram—a visual representation of frequencies over time. This fingerprint is then compared against a massive database of known tracks. The algorithm is designed to work even in noisy environments because it focuses on the most prominent peaks in the audio spectrum, which are less likely to be masked by background noise.

Once a match is found, Shazam returns the song title, artist, album, and often a link to listen on Apple Music or other platforms. The entire process takes just a few seconds. The technology was originally developed by Avery Wang, a Stanford researcher, and has been refined over the years to handle millions of queries per day.

What Has Changed Since Apple Bought Shazam

After the acquisition, Apple gradually integrated Shazam deeper into its ecosystem. Some of the most notable changes include:

• Removal of ads: The Shazam app became completely ad-free in 2018, a clear benefit for users.
• Apple Music integration: Shazam now offers a direct “Add to Apple Music Playlist” feature, and identified songs can be automatically added to a user’s library.
• Control Center integration: On iOS and iPadOS, users can add a Shazam toggle to the Control Center, allowing them to identify music without opening the app.
• Apple Music recognition: Shazam can now identify songs playing on Apple Music and other apps, and it can sync your Shazam history with your Apple Music account.
• Shazam on Apple Watch: The app is available on watchOS, letting users identify songs directly from their wrist.

Despite these changes, the core functionality remains the same. The app still works on Android and other platforms, and Apple has not forced users to switch to Apple Music—though the integration is clearly a selling point for that service.

How to Use Shazam Effectively

Using Shazam is straightforward, but there are a few tips to get the best results:

1. Make sure your device’s microphone is on and the app has permission to access it.
2. Hold the phone near the music source, but not so close that it distorts the audio.
3. For best results, wait until the song is clearly audible and avoid loud background noise.
4. If the song is not recognized, try again later or in a quieter environment.
5. On iOS, you can use the Control Center Shazam toggle to identify music without opening the app.
6. On Android, you can use the Google Assistant’s “What’s this song?” feature, which is powered by Shazam technology.

Shazam vs. Other Song Identifiers

Shazam is not the only song recognition service on the market. Google’s “Now Playing” feature on Pixel phones and the Google Assistant’s song search use similar audio fingerprinting technology. SoundHound is another popular app that offers song identification, but it also includes a live lyric display and the ability to hum or sing a tune to identify it.

In practice, Shazam is often considered the most accurate and fastest, thanks to its massive database and refined algorithm. However, Google’s integration with Android is more convenient for many users. Since Apple acquired Shazam, the app remains available on Android, but some users worry that Apple may eventually prioritize iOS features. As of now, both platforms receive updates and core functionality is the same.

Privacy and Data Concerns

One common concern after the acquisition was about privacy. Shazam collects audio fingerprints, not the actual audio recordings, and it does not store your microphone data. However, it does collect metadata such as your device ID, location (if enabled), and the songs you identify. Apple has stated that this data is used to improve the service and personalize recommendations, and it is subject to Apple’s privacy policy.

Users can control some of this by adjusting location permissions and limiting ad tracking (though Shazam is now ad-free). If you are concerned about privacy, you can use Shazam without an Apple ID, but you will not be able to sync your history across devices.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

If Shazam is not working, here are some common issues and fixes:

• No sound: Check that your device’s volume is up and that the microphone is not blocked.
• Cannot connect: Shazam requires an internet connection to search its database. If you are offline, it will not work.
• App crashes: Make sure you have the latest version of the app and that your device’s operating system is up to date.
• Song not recognized: Some obscure or live versions may not be in the database. Try again later or use the app’s “Lyric Search” feature if available.
• History not syncing: Ensure you are logged in with the same Apple ID across devices and that iCloud sync is enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shazam free to use?

Yes, Shazam is completely free. There is no premium tier, and the app is ad-free since the Apple acquisition. You can identify an unlimited number of songs.

Can I use Shazam without an Apple device?

Yes, Shazam is available on Android, and it also has a web version at shazam.com where you can identify songs by uploading an audio file. The core features are the same across platforms.

Does Shazam work with Spotify?

Shazam can identify songs and offer links to listen on Spotify, but the integration is not as deep as with Apple Music. You can still share identified songs to Spotify, but you cannot add them directly to your Spotify library from within Shazam.

Will Apple shut down Shazam?

There is no indication that Apple plans to shut down Shazam. In fact, Apple has continued to invest in the app and its integration across its devices. It remains a standalone app and is also built into iOS as a feature.

How accurate is Shazam?

Shazam is highly accurate for studio recordings and most popular tracks. It can struggle with live recordings, remixes, or very obscure songs. Accuracy also depends on audio quality and background noise.

Does Shazam store my recordings?

No, Shazam does not store the audio it records. It only stores the audio fingerprint, which is a mathematical representation of the sound, not the actual audio. This fingerprint is used solely for matching purposes.

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