# Square Waves

> Listen to your favorite games!

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1502166212](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1502166212)

## Overview

- **ID:** `id1502166212`
- **Platform:** Apple
- **Type:** Apple app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Alex Busman
- **Category:** Music
- **Rating:** 3.70 / 5 (34 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.2.6
- **Last updated:** 2021-10-06
- **First published:** 2020-03-12
- **Size:** 6.71 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-21
- **Store listing:** [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/square-waves/id1502166212)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://github.com/a-busman/SquareWaveSwift/blob/master/privacy\_policy.md](https://github.com/a-busman/SquareWaveSwift/blob/master/privacy_policy.md)

## Description

Ever wanted to listen to music from your favorite retro video and computer games? Trying to learn how to play one of those songs on your guitar and want to just hear the bass line? Well now you can with Square Waves! Build your library of music by simply adding your files through your iCloud documents.

Supported file formats:
• NSF - NES
• VGM - Genesis/Mega Drive/Master System
• GYM - Genesis/Mega Drive
• GBS - GB
• SPC - SNES
• AY - ZX Spectrum
• HES - Turbografx-16/ PC Engine
• KSS - MSX
• SAP - Atari 800

Files can be imported from ZIP, RAR, and 7ZIP too!

## Rankings

- #220,106 — Overall

## Review summary

Square Waves is praised for a clean, focused retro/VGM music player with solid baseline playback and a favorable premium option. However, it suffers from stability and OS compatibility issues, frequent import/import-related data loss, and several missing features (search, playlists, tagging, album art). Its format/channel support is limited (SNES/Genesis primary), and premium gating adds friction. The app has strong niche appeal but needs reliability improvements and feature enhancements to meet broader expectations.

### Pros

- Clean, minimal UI that makes playback easy and intuitive
- Excellent support for retro/VGM/chiptune music, including channel isolation and native game soundtracks
- Solid baseline features with reliable playback for local files
- Premium upgrade is worth it and easy to purchase
- Niche, focused player with strong appeal for fans of game music

### Cons

- Frequent stability issues and crashes, including during playlist use, with reported OS compatibility problems (e.g., iOS 15)
- Importing/loading problems and data loss: NSFs not loading, ZIP/archive import failures, and cloud/drive import issues
- Missing essential features and metadata support: no reliable search or playlists in some versions, lacking tag editor, artist metadata, and album art uploading/management
- Limited format and channel support: mainly SNES/Genesis coverage with insufficient NES/FDS control and no support for newer platforms
- Pricing friction and premium gating: emphasis on upgrading and paid features to access more content, causing user frustration

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1502166212)