Support
Last updated: June 2026
Get in touch
For bugs, feature requests, or anything else: chris@showboard.app
You'll hear back from the person who built the app, not a support team.
System requirements
- macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
- Apple Silicon or Intel Mac
- 4 GB RAM minimum
- 200 MB disk space
- Internet for streaming sources (local playback works offline)
Download Showboard
Every feature, free. No credit card required. Download for Mac →
What's new
See what shipped in the latest version. Release Notes →
Frequently asked questions
How do I get Showboard?
Download it free from showboard.app. Every feature is included. No credit card, no sign-up.
What are the system requirements?
macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are both supported. 4 GB RAM minimum. No internet connection required for local playback.
Why isn't Showboard on the App Store?
Bit-perfect playback requires CoreAudio HAL exclusive mode, which bypasses the macOS audio mixer entirely. Apple's App Store sandbox blocks this. Showboard is notarized by Apple and updates automatically via Sparkle.
Do I need subscriptions to the streaming services?
You need your own accounts for TIDAL, Qobuz, and nugs.net. Archive.org and Phish.in are free. Local files work without any account.
What audio formats are supported?
FLAC (up to 384kHz/32-bit), DSD (DSD64 via DoP), ALAC, WAV, AIFF, WavPack, MP3, AAC, and OGG.
How do I get bit-perfect playback?
Enable exclusive mode in Showboard's audio settings. This locks your DAC to Showboard and bypasses the macOS mixer. Sample rate switches automatically to match each file.
Can I use Showboard with my DAC?
If macOS sees it, Showboard can use it. USB DACs, Bluetooth (though not bit-perfect), AirPlay, and built-in audio all work. No drivers required.
Do I get free updates?
Yes. Every future update is free. No subscriptions.
Can I point Showboard at my NAS or network drive?
Yes. Add any mounted volume as a library folder, including NAS shares over SMB or AFP. Showboard monitors them for new files and handles disconnects gracefully with automatic reconnection.
How do I find recordings from a specific venue?
Open Venue Explorer and search by name. Showboard indexes venue data across all your sources, so you can pull up every show at Red Rocks, The Gorge, MSG, or any venue in your collection and see them grouped by date.
Can I import my existing collection from etree or Archive.org?
For etree downloads you already have on disk, just point Showboard at the folder. It reads the folder structure, detects live show formatting, and imports everything. For Archive.org, Showboard streams directly from the Live Music Archive with no downloading required.
Does Showboard work offline or on the road?
Local files play without any internet connection. Streaming sources (nugs.net, TIDAL, Qobuz, Archive.org, Phish.in) require a connection. You can build playlists from local files for offline listening.
Can I use Showboard on more than one Mac?
Yes. There is no device limit. Install it on every Mac you own, desktop and laptop alike. Your favorites, Concert Diary, playlists, ratings, and play history sync between them over iCloud.
Does my library sync across my Macs?
Yes, over iCloud. Your favorites, Concert Diary, playlists, ratings, and play history follow you from one Mac to the next. Pause a show on one machine and a Continue Listening card resumes it on another. You need iCloud Drive turned on; the sync rides your own iCloud account, so nothing routes through us.
Can I play to a BluOS or whole-home system?
Yes. Showboard streams to BluOS systems (Bluesound, NAD, and other BluOS speakers) and to AirPlay devices, both discovered automatically on your network. Send a recording to the room you are in, or fill the house. Wired USB DACs stay the bit-perfect path; AirPlay and BluOS trade exclusive mode for reach.
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