Disclaimers
Last updated 6 August 2026
Overtone is an audio player with an equalizer, a gain stage and a limiter. This page states plainly what it does, what it cannot do, and where its content comes from.
1. Overtone cannot boost other apps
Overtone processes only the audio it plays itself. It cannot raise the volume of, equalize, or otherwise affect audio playing in Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or any other application. iOS does not permit any app to process another app's audio output, and streaming catalogues are encrypted at the source. No application on the App Store can do this. Any app claiming otherwise cannot deliver it.
2. What the boost actually does
The boost applies up to +24 dB of gain to the audio signal inside Overtone's own processing chain, ahead of a peak limiter that prevents clipping. It raises the level of the recording, which is why quiet material becomes genuinely louder.
It does not and cannot raise the maximum output of your iPhone's speaker or headphone jack. That ceiling is hardware and, in the European Union and other regions, is additionally enforced by iOS itself for hearing safety. Overtone applies its gain only once the device's own volume is already at maximum, so it extends the range rather than duplicating a control the system already provides.
3. Hearing safety
Sustained loud playback can permanently damage hearing. Overtone displays a warning the first time the boost is engaged while headphones are connected, and the boost is off by default. Users are responsible for the levels they choose. Overtone does not override any system-level volume limit.
4. Where the content comes from
Overtone does not host, own or rebroadcast any audio. It is a client for services that publish their own content:
SoundCloud — tracks, artwork and metadata are provided by SoundCloud through their API and are streamed directly from SoundCloud. Overtone is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by SoundCloud. Signing in is optional and is used only to show the user their own likes, playlists and follows. Overtone does not download or store SoundCloud audio.
Internet radio — station listings come from radio-browser.info, a community-run open directory. Streams are played directly from each station's own server. Overtone does not host, record or rebroadcast any station.
Podcasts — shows are found through Apple's public podcast directory. Episodes are listed and served from each publisher's own RSS feed and servers. Downloads for offline playback use the enclosure URLs those feeds publish for that purpose.
Music genres — genre names and category artwork come from Deezer's public API.
Your own files — imported through the system file picker or the device media library.
5. DRM and protected content
Overtone plays only unprotected audio. It cannot play DRM-protected material, including Apple Music subscription downloads. It contains no mechanism for removing, circumventing or working around digital rights management of any kind, and none is intended.
6. Trademarks
Apple, Apple Music, AirPlay, Siri and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc. SoundCloud is a trademark of SoundCloud Global Limited & Co. KG. Spotify and YouTube are trademarks of their respective owners. These names are used here only to describe compatibility and limitations accurately. Overtone is an independent product and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of them.
7. Purchases
Overtone offers a short free listening preview, after which continued playback requires a purchase. Auto-renewing subscriptions and a one-time lifetime purchase are available. Prices are shown in the App Store in your local currency.
Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel at any time in your Apple Account settings; Overtone cannot cancel a subscription on a user's behalf. Purchases can be restored on any device signed in to the same Apple Account. Payment is handled entirely by Apple. Use of the app is governed by Apple's Standard End User License Agreement: Apple Standard EULA.
8. Privacy
Overtone has no user accounts of its own and no advertising. Library, playlists, playback positions and audio settings are stored on the device only and are never uploaded.
A few services receive limited technical data: Apple (payment processing), RevenueCat (subscription status verification), Appstack together with Apple's Ad Services framework (install and purchase attribution for marketing measurement), and Firebase Analytics from Google (anonymous usage statistics). None of them receives your name, email address, or any information about what you listen to. Full detail is in the Privacy Policy.
9. Availability and age rating
Overtone is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish and Portuguese. It is not directed at children under 13. Content reached through internet radio, podcasts and SoundCloud is published by third parties and is not curated, moderated or reviewed by Overtone.