Does your iPhone have trouble properly hearing you play piano? In some instances, your iPhone microphone won't reliably detect the notes you’re playing. Connecting your instrument directly to your iPhone will help it detect your playing more reliably.
There are 2 ways to connect your instrument to your iPhone:
A) MIDI via cable
Here’s what you’ll need:
USB-C to USB-B cable or USB-C to MIDI In/MIDI Out cable (check your piano's outputs)
For models with a Lightning port
USB-A to USB-B cable or In-Out MIDI/USB cable (check your piano's outputs)
Your setup will look something like this:
Connect the Lightning to USB adapter to your iPhone's Lightning port.
Plug the USB-A end of the USB or MIDI/USB cable into the Lightning to USB adapter.
If your piano has a USB-B port (often labeled To Host), plug the USB-B end of the USB to USB-B cable into it. You need a USB 2.0 cable for this. If your piano has a 5-pin MIDI output, plug the In and Out ends of the cable into it.
That's it! Open flowkey and enjoy playing with flawless note recognition!
B) MIDI via Bluetooth
Note: Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth audio are becoming more common in digital pianos and keyboards. If your instrument has Bluetooth MIDI, you can connect it directly to your device and the flowkey app—no adapter needed. Just open the MIDI/Bluetooth Setup in your app settings. This option is currently only available on our mobile app for iOS, not on Android or the browser app.
If your instrument doesn’t have Bluetooth MIDI built in, please follow the steps below.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Your setup will look something like this:
Connect your MIDI Bluetooth adapter to your keyboard. Depending on the outputs of your keyboard, you may need a 5-pin MIDI adapter.
Ensure your iPhone’s Bluetooth is on. To check, swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone's screen to open the Control Center. If the Bluetooth icon is white, tap it to turn on your Bluetooth. You can also turn on/off your Bluetooth via Settings > Bluetooth.
Open the flowkey app.
Open a song so that you’re in the player section of the app.
Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings.
Select MIDI/Bluetooth Setup.
Tap Configure Bluetooth MIDI to find your MIDI device. You also have the option to enable MIDI sounds here if your instrument doesn't produce sound.
Your device will connect and start communicating with your instrument via MIDI. You’ll now enjoy smoother note recognition. Happy playing!