In 16 Bars Support
Contact
Found a bug, or have a question or idea? Email us and we’ll get back to you, usually within two business days.
Please include your iPhone model, iOS version and the app version (shown in the App Store listing).
How it works
What is In 16 Bars?
A freestyle rap trainer. You get three random words (a verb, an adjective and a noun), the beat drops after a one-bar count-in, and you have 16 bars to work them into your verse while the camera records. When the beat ends, every bar is scored on how well it uses your words.
How is my score worked out?
Your verse is split into bars by timing. Each bar earns points when it’s relevant to your keywords, and consecutive relevant bars build a streak multiplier. The total is normalised to a score out of 100.
What’s the difference between NEXTGEN and CLASSIC scoring?
NEXTGEN uses Apple’s on-device Foundation Models to judge relevance and needs an Apple Intelligence–capable iPhone with Apple Intelligence turned on. Otherwise the app uses CLASSIC, an on-device keyword matcher. The label on the recording screen shows which one is active and, for CLASSIC, why.
Daily Challenge vs Random Challenge
- Daily Challenge: everyone gets the same three words. One attempt per day, and it resets at midnight US Eastern Time. Complete it on consecutive days to build a streak.
- Random Challenge: fresh words every time, unlimited attempts.
How do I save or share my video?
On the results screen, export your take. The video includes the beat and karaoke-style lyrics. You can save it to Photos or share it with any app through the share sheet. You can also edit the transcript before exporting if a word was misheard.
Troubleshooting
The app says ACCESS NEEDED
In 16 Bars needs the Camera, Microphone and Speech Recognition. Open Settings › Apps › In 16 Bars and turn them on, or tap OPEN SETTINGS in the app.
My words aren’t being transcribed accurately
- Use headphones with a built-in mic, such as AirPods or wired earbuds. The beat then doesn’t bleed into the mic and your voice is clearer.
- Record somewhere quiet and keep the phone within arm’s length.
- Transcription is English (US) only for now.
The app is stuck on the loading screen
On first launch, the app downloads Apple’s on-device English speech model, which needs an internet connection once. Connect to Wi-Fi and reopen the app. After that, everything works offline.
I’m not getting streak reminders
Reminders are optional. The app sends at most one a day, six hours before the Daily Challenge resets, and only while you have a streak going. Turn them on in Settings › Apps › In 16 Bars › Notifications.
Does it work on iPad?
In 16 Bars is designed for iPhone. It requires iOS 26 or later.
Privacy
Where do my recordings go?
Nowhere. Recording, transcription and scoring all happen on your iPhone. There’s no account, no ads, no analytics and no uploads, and your videos only leave the device if you share them. Deleting the app removes its data; videos you saved to Photos stay there until you delete them.
Read the full Privacy Policy.