In 2025, the Sony Walkman continues to be a preferred choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who value portability and high-quality sound. Tidal, known for its high-fidelity audio, pairs well with the Sony Walkman. However, getting these two to work together seamlessly can be a challenge for some users. For them, the key to enjoying Tidal Music is figuring out how to stream Tidal on Sony Walkman more effectively.
This guide will show you how to effortlessly play Tidal music on your Walkman, whether you're connected to the internet or enjoying your tunes offline.
Part 1. How to Stream Tidal on Sony Walkman Online [Only Some Specific Models]
With Sony's technique updates, certain modern Sony Walkman models can now directly download the Tidal app. These models run on an Android-based operating system, which allows them to connect to Wi-Fi and access the Google Play Store. This means you can easily download the Tidal app and stream Tidal on your Sony Walkman directly, just like you would on a smartphone.
You may ask what the features of the modern Sony Walkman models are? The key feature of modern Sony Walkman devices is that they are essentially specialized smart players for audiophiles. They run on an Android OS, which provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, making them versatile for streaming music from platforms like Tidal. And here's the list of some modern Sony Walkmans:
- NW-A105
- NW-A306
- NW-ZX507
- NW-ZX707
- WM1AM2
- WM1ZM2
💡 Tip: If your Sony Walkman has a large touch screen with app icons and a Wi-Fi setting, it is mostly a modern Android Walkman model. These devices can easily access the Google Play Store, where you can download the Tidal app and start streaming music right away.
Now, we'll take the Sony NW-A306 as an example, giving you a step-by-step breakdown to play Tidal on Sony Walkman directly:
Step 1. Make sure that you're in an active Tidal subscription.
Step 2. Also, you need to connect your Sony Walkman to the internet. You can connect via Wi-Fi or use a mobile data connection if available.
Step 3. Go to Google Play Store on your Sony Walkman, search for the Tidal app and install it.
Step 4. Launch the Tidal app on your Sony device and sign in using your Tidal account credentials.
Step 5. Once you are signed in, you can browse and stream Tidal music on your Sony NW-A306 directly.
If your Sony Walkman is excluded from this list and does not support the Tidal app directly, don't worry! You can still enjoy Tidal music on your Walkman by following the general offline playback method discussed in the next part.
✅ Pros
- Direct access to the Tidal app via Google Play Store on Android-based Walkmans.
- No need for a computer or third-party software, making it a convenient solution for streaming.
- Support for high-fidelity audio formats, including Tidal HiFi and Master Quality (MQA).
- Seamless user experience, just like using Tidal on a smartphone.
❌ Cons
- Only available on select models, most Walkman models are not supported.
- Requires Wi-Fi connectivity at all times for online streaming.
- Battery drain can be faster when streaming high-quality music continuously.
- Performance limitations that some Android Walkman models may run slower due to limited system resources.
Part 2. How to Stream Tidal on Sony Walkman Offline [General]
As mentioned above, there are some Sony Walkmans not compatible with Tidal locally. So, if your Sony Walkman model does not support downloading the Tidal app directly, or if you prefer an alternative method to enjoy Tidal music offline, using a third-party tool like AudFree Tidal Music Converter is an excellent option. This method allows you to download and convert Tidal music into common formats like MP3, FLAC, and WAV, which are compatible with your Walkman. Once the music is converted, you can easily transfer it to your Walkman for offline playback.
But why Choose AudFree Tidal Music Converter? To be short, it enables you to batch download Tidal tracks, albums, and playlists for offline use at 37X speed. With it, you can convert Tidal music into high-quality audio files that will work seamlessly on your Sony Walkman, even if your model doesn't support the Tidal app.
AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Losslessly download Tidal songs as local audio files for Sony Walkmans
- Batch convert Tidal to FLAC, MP3, WAV, M4A, etc.
- Help to play Tidal on Sony Walkman, Astell & Kern, HiBy, etc.
- Run at 37X faster speed, keeping the original ID3 tag
How to Download Tidal Tracks to Sony Walkman-compatible Audio Formats and Transfer them to Sony Walkman
- Step 1Add Tidal Tracks to Conversion List on AudFree Tidable
- Download and install the AudFree Tidal Music Converter on your computer. Launch it, you will find built-in Tidal web player simultaneously. Find the songs/playlists/albums you need to convert, and hit the button "+" to upload them to conversion list.
- Step 2Set Output Format of Tidal Music for Sony Walkman
- On the top-right of the Menu window, you can find a button labeled "Preferences", and click it. After that, you can select the "Conversion" tab to set the output format as WAV, MP3, FLAC, etc. for better Tidal playback on your Sony Walkman. Moreover, the AudFree software allows you to customize the audio channel, bit rate, and sample rate. If you want to reset the output folder, you can just tap on the "Output" icon at the bottom.
- Step 3Convert Tidal Songs for Sony Walkman
- Press on the "Convert" button to start the conversion about Tidal music. The process will be shown to you on the window. Once the conversion ends, the converted Tidal files can be located in the output folder on your computer. You will finally convert Tidal to MP3 or others losslessly with ID3 tags kept.
- Step 4Transfer Tidal Music to Sony Walkman
- Once the conversion is complete, locate the saved Tidal files on your computer. Connect your Sony Walkman to your computer via USB and transfer the converted music files to your device. Now you can enjoy your favorite Tidal tracks on your Walkman even without an internet connection.
✅ Pros
- Works with all Sony Walkman models, including traditional non-Android ones like NW-A55 and NW-E394.
- Enables permanent offline playback of Tidal music, even after subscription expiration.
- Keeps original sound quality, lyrics, and full ID3 tags for better organization.
- Supports multiple output formats such as MP3, FLAC, or WAV - compatible with any audio device.
❌ Cons
- Requires a computer to install and operate the conversion software.
- Free version has limitations, such as length restrictions.
- Does not support live streaming or dynamic Tidal features, only downloaded static lossless files.
Part 3. FAQs about Sony Walkman Tidal
Q1: Does Tidal work on Sony Walkman?
A: Yes, Tidal can work on some Sony Walkman models, but only some selected models, such as NW-A105, NW-A306, etc. For non-Android models, you may need to use alternative methods like a third-party converter AudFree Tidal Music Converter to enable playback.
Q2: Can I download songs from Tidal for offline playback on a Walkman?
A: Yes, as long as you can download Tidal on your Sony Walkman, you can download songs from Tidal on your Sony device. Or, you can download your Tidal lossless tracks via AudFree Tidable on your PC and transfer them to your Sony Walkman for offline listening. But no matter which way, you'll need a Tidal subscription for offline downloads.
Q3: Is a Sony Walkman better than a phone for Tidal?
A: For a true audiophile, yes. Sony Walkmans are built with superior Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) and more powerful headphone amplifiers than standard smartphones. This results in a cleaner, more detailed, and more dynamic sound.
Q4: Can I use Tidal Connect with my Walkman?
A: Yes, but only on the Android Walkman models that can install the official app (e.g., NW-A306). And your Sony Walkman needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your controlling device.
Q5: How can I fix Tidal crashing on my Sony Walkman?
A: If Tidal crashes, ensure that your Walkman is running the latest system and that the Tidal app is updated too. After that, if it still keeps crashing, you can also clear the cache of the app or reinstall it. And restart your Sony Walkman.
Q6: Why is the Tidal app slow on my Android Walkman?
A: Some Walkman models have modest processors to prioritize battery life and audio circuitry. To improve performance, you can close other background apps when you play Tidal. Besides, please update your Sony Walkman firmware to the latest version. After that, you can clear the Tidal's cache in the Walkman settings.
Q7: How to enhance your Tidal listening experience on Sony Walkman?
A: To optimize Tidal playback on your Sony Walkman, please enable "Source Direct" or "Bit-Perfect" mode if supported. These ensure the cleanest audio output. For Tidal subscribers, check that your Walkman supports MQA decoding for studio-quality sound. And as for saving battery, download Tidal music for offline playback instead of streaming over Wi-Fi. In such cases, you'd better download your Tidal tracks to lossless WAV format to get a better Tidal playback experience on your Sony Walkman.
In Conclusion
Enjoying Tidal music on your Sony Walkman is entirely possible with the right setup. Whether you prefer online streaming or offline playback, there are various methods to ensure you get the best audio experience. By following the latest guide, you can enhance your Walkman and Tidal experience, making the most of both services. Or you can try the AudFree Tidal Music Converter, with a next-level nonstop listening experience. Why hesitate? Enjoy your Hi-Fi Tidal Music on your Sony Walkman right now.
Miley Swift
Staff Editor
