Tidal offers lossless and Hi-Res FLAC music, making it one of the most popular streaming platforms. However, there are still many Android users who rely on USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) to get better DAC performance, unlock Android audio limitations and enjoy high-quality music playback.
In this part, we will show you how to use Tidal with USB Audio Player Pro, including setup, audio quality, offline playback limitations, troubleshooting, etc. Let's move on.
Part 1. Why Use USB Audio Player Pro with Tidal?
What Is USB Audio Player Pro?
USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) is a music player for Android, allowing users to enjoy high-resolution and audiophile-grade audio playback. Unlike standard music applications, UAPP utilizes its proprietary USB audio driver to communicate directly with external USB DACs, rather than relying entirely on Android's built-in audio system. It supports external USB audio DACs, HiRes FLAC playback, bit-perfect audio output, direct USB audio communication, and advanced playback control. What's more, it supports streaming music services like Tidal.
Therefore, this app is a must-have tool for every audiophile, bypassing all the audio limitations of Android.
Why Use UAPP with Tidal?
While Tidal already offers high-quality FLAC streaming services, Android devices may still introduce interference during the audio processing stage, thereby compromising playback consistency.
Why users choose UAPP to stream Tidal music is that it can:
1. Minimize audio resampling by the Android system;
2. Enable direct communication with the DAC;
3. Enhance sampling rate accuracy;
4. Provide more reliable support for external high-resolution (Hi-Res) DAC devices;
5. Deliver a more stable, audiophile-grade audio playback experience.
For users who use a combination of wired headphones and a USB DAC, UAPP offers a more "direct" audio transmission path compared to the standard TIDAL application.
Compare UAPP vs Native Tidal App
| Feature | Native Tidal App | USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Purpose | Casual listening | Audiophile playback control |
| Ease of Use | Very easy | Moderate (setup required) |
| Offline Playback | ✅ (Official) | ❌ |
| DAC Support | Basic system support | Advanced USB DAC driver |
| Bit-Perfect Playback | Limited / device-dependent | Designed for bit-perfect output |
| Audio Control | Minimal | Full control (advanced settings) |
| Sample-rate Handling | Android-managed | More precise via direct output |
| Best For | Casual listeners | Audiophile + external DAC/wired headphones users |
| Overall Experience | Convenient and polished | More technical but higher audio control |
Part 2. How to Play Tidal on USB Audio Player Pro Online
As mentioned above, UAPP is compatible with several streaming services, like Tidal, Shoutcast Radio and Qobuz. Now, follow the steps below to see how to get Tidal on UAPP.
Step 1. Download and install the UAPP app on your Android device. Run it and tap the menu icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Connect your external DAC to your Android device using USB-C cable, OTG adapter or compatible DAC interface. Once connected, the UAPP will detect the DAC automatically. Please allow USB permission when prompted.
Step 3. Select the "Tidal" section in the list that is displayed. After that it will pop up a window where you need to sign in to your Tidal account. Then your Tidal playlists, albums and favorites will appear within UAPP.
Step 4. Touch the gear icon on the interface, go to Settings > Audio and set the streaming quality to Max (Hi-Res FLAC) to maximize the streaming quality of your Tidal music.
To ensure that the Android system does not surreptitiously alter your audio data in the background, please configure UAPP's internal settings as follows after logging into Tidal:
Bit-Perfect Mode: Navigate to "Settings" > "Internal Audio Driver" > select "HiRes Direct Driver" (or select "Flags" depending on your Android version). Set "Bit-Perfect" to "On" or "When Possible".
Upsampling: Please keep this option set to "Off". You must ensure that the sample rate received by your DAC matches the original Tidal source file exactly, rather than a version that has undergone artificial upsampling.
Step 5. Now, you're smoothly streaming Tidal on UAPP without any problems.
Tips to Verify Tidal UAPP Playback Quality:
It is crucial to verify playback quality of Tidal on UAPP, because if configured improperly, Android devices may still resample the audio.
1. Check Your DAC Display
Most DACs show sample rate and bit depth, so you can check them on your device.
If the sample rate changes along with the track, UAPP is likely functioning correctly.
If the sample rate remains fixed at 48kHz for all tracks, Android's resampling function may still be active.
Please check the color of the LED indicator on your portable DAC (dongle). For example, if you are using a FiiO KA13, when you begin playing a genuine 96kHz or 192kHz Tidal Max track, the indicator should switch from blue (corresponding to a sampling rate of 48kHz or lower) to yellow or green. If the indicator remains blue while playing all tracks, it indicates that your configuration is not achieving "Bit-perfect" playback.
2. Check UAPP Playback Info
You can check the direct output, USB drive active and current sample rate on the USB Audio Player Pro to confirm proper audio routing.
Part 3. How to Play Tidal on UAPP Offline
While UAPP supports online streaming, it is noted that Tidal's native offline download feature is strictly locked inside the official Tidal mobile app due to DRM protection. This means you can't play Tidal music on UAPP offline while traveling, on flights or in areas with poor internet connection. Besides, some Tidal songs may not be accessed if Tidal removes them.
To bypass these restrictions, a powerful tool - AudFree Tidal Music Converter, is sufficient. Because USB Audio Player Pro supports most audio formats such as WAV, FLAC, MP3, M4A, etc. locally, and this converter can convert Tidal Music to MP3, FLAC, AIFF, WAV and other common audio formats.
This way, you have the right to transfer Tidal to UAPP for offline listening without subscription. Furthermore, using advanced technology, this program can download Tidal HiRes Music while retaining all the metadata, such as title, genre, album cover, etc. Once you've got the downloaded high-quality Tidal songs, you can sync them to your Android device and enjoy Tidal with UAPP in offline mode.
AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Download Tidal Music with zero audio quality loss
- Convert Tidal to FLAC, MP3, WAV, etc. for UAPP
- Keep Tidal Music forever even after subscription expires
- Play Tidal on UAPP and other players offline
How to Convert Tidal Music for Tidal UAPP Offline
- Step 1. Load Tidal Music to AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Open the AudFree Tidal Music Converter and log in to your Tidal account. Now, discover your favorite music or find your curated playlist and tap '+🎵'. Next, click on the "Add to list" button and the track will be loaded.
- Step 2. Set Tidal Output Parameters for UAPP
- Mac users should find the 'AudFree Tidal Music Converter' icon on the system's menu bar, while Windows users can go to the menu icon in the top-right corner. Then select the 'Preferences' and 'Conversion' options. Here, you can choose the output format, bit rate, channels, sample rate etc. for Tidal Music. It is recommended that you set output format to Lossless to get the best out of Max tracks.
- Step 3. Download Tidal Music for UAPP Offline
- Now, you can press the big "Convert" button in "Converting" bottom-right corner to start the download and conversion process at up to 37X speed. On the interface, you will see the process in real time. When it is done, simply hit on the "Converted" icon to open the history list and locate the Tidal offline downloads in the output folder.
How to Play Tidal through USB Audio Player Pro
Step 1. Connect your Android device to your computer via USB cable and transfer the downloaded Tidal Music to your Android.
Step 2. Open the USB Audio Player Pro app again, then go to the menu bar from the top left screen and click on the folder option.
Step 3. In the window that pops up, find and select the Tidal songs folder you just stored on your phone.
Step 4. Now, start enjoying your USB Audio Player Pro Tidal offline. You'll see that all the metadata for Tidal songs are displayed on the screen, no different to using the native UAPP Tidal integration.
If you not only just want to play Tidal on UAPP but also Spotify, Qobuz, etc., you can use AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder to download music from popular music streaming platforms. It supports Tidal, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Qobuz, Deezer and so on.
Part 4. How to Fix Tidal UAPP Common Issues
Here you can check the most common problems you may face while using Tidal with UAPP. Please check the following solutions to fix the issues.
Issue 1: DAC Not Detected by UAPP
Fix: Please check whether other applications (such as background services from USB Audio Player Pro or Poweramp) are currently occupying the USB controller. Please navigate to Android Settings > Apps and clear the default settings for other media players. Additionally, please ensure that your OTG cable supports Host Mode data transfer, rather than merely providing charging functionality.
Issue 2: Tidal Audio Stuck at 48kHz on UAPP
Fix: Your mobile phone's firmware may be forcing the activation of the Android SRC (Sample Rate Converter). Within the UAPP application, go to Settings > USB Audio Tweaks. Enable the "Use USB App Driver" option, and manually adjust the "USB Buffer Frame Size". If you encounter minor stuttering or hear "clicking" sounds when switching sample rates, please increase the buffer size from the default value to 40ms or 80ms to ensure the stability of the hardware handshake connection.
Also, go to Android System Settings > Sound & Vibration > Quality & Effects, and disable all global sound effect settings.
Issue 3: Tidal UAPP Login Fails
Fix: Try to update UAPP, clear app cache, restart your Android device and re-login your Tidal account.
Issue 4: Tidal Playback Buffering or Lag on UAPP
Fix: Try to connect to a faster WiFi, disable battery optimization for UAPP, close background apps on your Android device, and lower Tidal music streaming quality temporarily.
Part 5. FAQs about UAPP Tidal
Why Does UAPP Ask for USB Permission Every Time I Plug in My DAC?
This is a security feature of the Android operating system. To resolve this issue, please check the box labeled 'Always allow UAPP to access this device' when the prompt appears. If this setting repeatedly fails to persist, please navigate to your phone's system settings and disable 'Battery Optimization' for UAPP to prevent the Android system from clearing its hardware memory cache.
Can UAPP Bypass the Hardware Limitations Imposed on Phones with Built-in Hi-Fi DACs (such as the ASUS ROG Series or Earlier LG V Series Models)?
Yes. UAPP features a dedicated internal audio driver specifically optimized for the Snapdragon and ESS Sabre chipsets commonly found in high-end audio-centric smartphones; therefore, you can bypass the standard Android audio mixer even without connecting an external USB DAC (dongle).
Which DAC Work with UAPP and Tidal?
UAPP supports a wide range of popular USB DAC devices, including products from brands, such as FiiO KA13, iFi, AudioQuest DragonFly series, Shanling UA series, Questyle M15, and Moondrop Dawn Pro. The vast majority of standard USB DACs that are natively supported by the Android operating system function seamlessly with UAPP.
UAPP vs Poweramp, Which Is Better for Tidal?
Poweramp excels at local music playback, while UAPP is typically preferred for its support of USB DACs and TIDAL Hi-Res streaming capabilities.
View also: How to Play Tidal on Poweramp
Is UAPP or Neutron Good for Tidal Hi-Res Audio?
Both of these apps support Hi-Res playback, but UAPP is generally considered easier to use and more reliable in terms of USB DAC integration.
View also: How to Play Tidal on Neutron Music Player
Part 6. In Conclusion
Now, you should have a better understanding of how to use Tidal on UAPP online or offline. For audiophiles, using Tidal with UAPP offers you one of the most flexible and high-quality mobile listening experience. But it lacks offline playback. So, with AudFree Tidal Music Converter, you can convert, add and play Tidal Music on USB Audio Player Pro and any other player offline you want, no more worrying about UAPP Tidal not working.
Staff Editor
