To do the reverse singing challenge, record a short song or phrase, listen to it backwards, copy those sounds in a new recording, and play your imitation backwards for the reveal.
This guide uses Reverse Audio: SingBack on iPhone and Android. The app prepares reversed audio automatically after recording stops. The English labels below may differ if you choose another interface language.
You can also play the free guided browser challenge. Record a reference, keep it for the round, then record and reverse your imitation. Unlike the native app workflow below, the browser game keeps the reference available while you practice and record your imitation.
Before your first attempt
Choose a quiet place and a familiar phrase or melody lasting about three to five seconds. A greeting or a line you make up is enough; you do not need to start with a full chorus.
Open SingBack and allow microphone access when asked. A complete attempt involves recording both a reference and an imitation. To save or share a reversed clip, make the recording in the app and use Share Reverse.
Step 1: Record the reference
Tap Start Recording, say or sing your phrase, then tap Stop Recording. Wait for SingBack to prepare the reversed version.
Tap Play Recorded to check the original. If words are hard to hear, move to a quieter spot or speak more clearly on your next take. Reversing a noisy recording will not remove its background noise.
Step 2: Learn the backwards sounds
Tap Play Reverse. Listen for a few recognizable sections: a long vowel, a sharp consonant, or a pause.
Open Settings if you need more time:
- Lower Playback Speed within the 0.5×–2.0× range.
- Turn on Loop to repeat playback.
- On iOS, use Pitch Correction to adjust how pitch is handled during speed changes.
Start slowly, then return to normal speed as the sounds become familiar. Listen to one short take several times before moving on.
You are copying sound, not translating words. Writing a rough reminder can help, but spelling the original phrase backwards is not a substitute for listening.
Step 3: Record your imitation
Rehearse the backwards sounds aloud until you can repeat them without listening. Then tap Start Recording and perform your imitation.
A new recording replaces the current take. If you want to keep the reversed reference, use Share Reverse before starting again. SingBack does not provide an in-app library for comparing several saved attempts.
Tap Stop Recording when your imitation is finished and wait for the new reversed audio.
Step 4: Play the reveal
Tap Play Reverse on the imitation. Listen for the phrase or melody you started with.
If the result is difficult to recognize, try a shorter phrase or leave clearer pauses between sections. Change one thing at a time: first the rhythm, then the sounds you keep missing. You do not need a perfect match to enjoy the game.
For another round, choose a new phrase or repeat the same one. Our challenge ideas for friends and groups offer a few simple formats.
Choose a manageable first song
A short melody you know well is easier to judge than an unfamiliar track. Look for:
- A small number of clear syllables.
- A steady rhythm.
- A phrase you can remember after listening a few times.
A greeting, an original two-note melody, or a short section of a familiar tune all work. Fast verses and long recordings add difficulty before you have learned the basic process.
Share an audio clip or make a video
Share Reverse opens your phone's share options for the current reversed audio. Save or send it using a compatible destination.
The export is audio. To make a video, film your attempt separately or use a second device, then add the audio in a video editor. Keep the imitation and the reveal distinct so viewers can follow what happened.
Troubleshoot a first attempt
Nothing records: check microphone permission in your phone's settings, then return to SingBack.
The clip is still processing: wait for the reversed version before trying playback. Processing time can vary by device and recording.
You cannot remember the reference: shorten it and use slower, repeated playback before starting a new take.
You want to reverse an existing file: the current app records from the microphone; it does not include a file importer.
Read what reverse singing is for a quick explanation, or how reverse audio works for the difference between sound reversal and backwards spelling.
Ready to try it? Download SingBack for iPhone or get SingBack for Android.