To export a song from an app, finish your project, open the share or export menu, choose an audio file format (usually WAV for quality or MP3 for size), then save it to Files, your camera roll, cloud storage, or send it straight to a distributor. The exact menu wording changes from app to app, but the steps below work the same way across GarageBand, FL Studio Mobile, BandLab, Cubasis, n-Track Studio and most other mobile DAWs.
Exporting is the moment your project becomes a real, playable audio file. Get the settings right once and you will not have to re-do it.
Mixdown vs. project file: know the difference
Before you export, understand what you are creating. Your project file holds every track, edit and setting so you can keep working on it. A mixdown (also called a bounce or render) flattens everything into one stereo audio file that plays anywhere. When people talk about how to export a song from an app, they almost always mean the mixdown. Keep the project file too, in case you need to make changes later.
Choose the right file format
Most mobile music apps offer at least two export formats:
- WAV (or AIFF) — uncompressed, full quality, larger files. Use this for mastering, sending to a collaborator, or uploading to a distributor.
- MP3 (or AAC/M4A) — compressed, smaller files, slightly lower quality. Fine for quick demos, messaging apps and casual sharing.
If you plan to master the song on your phone or send it for mastering, always export WAV. For a rough idea you want to text to a friend, MP3 is perfect. When in doubt, export WAV — you can always make an MP3 from it later, but you can never add back quality you compressed away.
Get the levels right before you export
Your exported file is only as good as your mix. Before bouncing, check that nothing is clipping (the meters should not slam into red) and leave a little headroom — aim for your loudest peaks to sit a touch below the top. If you are unsure, our guide to mixing a song on your phone walks through balancing levels so the export sounds clean rather than distorted.
How to export in popular apps
The wording differs, but the path is similar everywhere.
- GarageBand (iOS/iPadOS) — tap the projects view, press and hold your song, choose Share, then Song. Pick the quality, and it lands in Files or another app.
- FL Studio Mobile (iOS/Android) — open the project menu, choose Export, then select WAV or another format and a destination.
- BandLab (iOS/Android) — from the editor, use the share/export option to render the mix or save it to your library and downloads.
- Cubasis (iOS/iPadOS) — open the Media or export panel and choose Mixdown, then set the format.
- n-Track Studio (iOS/Android) — use the export/mixdown option in the file menu.
If you are new to any of these, the walkthroughs on using FL Studio Mobile and using BandLab cover the rest of the workflow.
Where to save and how to share it
Once exported, you can save the file to your device’s Files app, cloud storage like Drive or Dropbox, or AirDrop it to a computer. From there you can attach it to an email, upload it to a streaming distributor, or drop it into a desktop DAW for a final polish. On Android, exported files usually appear in a Music or Downloads folder you can browse with a file manager.
Common export problems
- Track sounds quiet or cut off — check that the export range covers the whole song and that no fade is trimming the end.
- File won’t upload to a distributor — most platforms want 16-bit or 24-bit WAV; re-export in that format.
- Effects missing — some apps need you to “freeze” or commit certain effects before they print to the mix.
Frequently asked questions
What format should I export for Spotify or Apple Music?
Upload a high-quality WAV (typically 16-bit or 24-bit) to your distributor and let them handle the streaming conversion. Never upload an MP3 if you can avoid it, because the platform will compress it again and quality suffers twice.
Why is my exported song quieter than other tracks?
Your mix probably needs mastering to bring it up to a competitive loudness. Export a clean WAV with headroom first, then run it through a mastering app or service rather than just turning everything up in the mix.
Can I export individual tracks instead of the full mix?
Many apps let you export stems — separate files for drums, vocals and so on — usually through a “stems” or “tracks” export option. This is useful when a collaborator or mixing engineer wants to work on your song in another program.
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