I need help with USB audio interface, microphone detection, or audio routing on iPad.

This page explains USB audio interface compatibility on iPad with KaraFun, including how inputs, outputs, and microphones are detected, and why some interfaces may be recognized as simple audio devices.

How USB audio interfaces are detected on iPad

Audio interface compatibility on iPad is fully handled by iPadOS. KaraFun cannot control how a device is identified or which audio inputs and outputs are detected by the system.

In practice, most recent USB audio interfaces work correctly. Older or more limited devices may be partially detected by iPadOS and appear in KaraFun as generic “headphones”, which can prevent access to microphone inputs.

Microphone usage and feedback prevention

To avoid unwanted audio feedback (Larsen), KaraFun follows a simple rule:

As long as the audio input is the device’s internal microphone and the audio output is routed to the device’s built-in speakers, the microphone signal is not captured.

This prevents feedback when using the device without an external audio setup.

In some situations, feedback can still occur if the audio interface or mixer internally routes its output back into an input (monitoring or loopback). This behavior depends on the hardware itself and usually must be disabled using the manufacturer’s configuration software.

If no external microphone is detected for the selected input/output (for example HDMI for a TV, USB for a sound card), KaraFun blocks microphone usage and displays a warning button in the settings. Tapping this button provides additional information.

Tips

• If you are not using microphones, keep inputs disabled to reduce the risk of feedback.
• Make sure your audio interface does not internally route output back to input.
• For best results, use a recent USB audio interface that is fully supported by iPadOS.
• If you are unsure whether your audio interface is compatible, or if you would like support added, please contact Apple directly.
• Sound cards may sometimes be detected as headphones, so if you cannot find your soundboard, try checking if you can see an unknown headset of the matching output (HDMI, USB etc).
• Since iOS 26, you can select the audio output directly from the device. We recommend using the in-app settings instead, as system-level routing can cause issues. However, it can be useful to confirm whether your audio interface is recognized by your iPad.

Need help using USB audio interfaces on iPad? Feel free to contact our support team.