Red Songbook Application for iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch

Version 6 - Updated August, 2018

Download Instructions

Please read all Download Instructions before starting. All steps should be done on your iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch, not on your computer.

If you are viewing this in the Facebook app on your device, tap the action button (square with up arrow) on the bottom of the screen then "Open in Safari".

Step 1: Download the App

If you haven’t already, go to the App Store and download the free app Red Songbook.

Step 2: Download the Songbook

Option 1 - Songbook Text

Uses 10 MB of storage on your device

Download Text Only

Option 2 - Songbook Text and Audio for First 3 Verses

Uses about 500 MB of storage on your device. Recommend downloading over WiFi.

Download Text With Audio

Step 3: Open the Songbook File

Tap Open in "Songbook"

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Red Songbook?

Red Songbook (or just Songbook) is an iOS app that displays .songbook files.

Why was Red Songbook created?

To allow us to view our songbook on Apple devices in a more readable and searchable format. Red Songbook also has an audio feature with song tunes in it.

What are the two types of .songbook files?

Option 1 - Songbook Text - Small file size that contains the text for all songs, Finnish songs, and hymns from the red book.

Option 2 - Songbook Text and Audio for First 3 Verses - Large file size that contains the text for all songs, Finnish songs, and hymns from the red book, and audio for the first three verses of nearly all of the songs and hymns, but none of the Finnish songs.

Why am I seeing nursery rhymes?

You have downloaded the Red Songbook app, but you don’t yet have the .songbook file you want. Follow the Download Instructions above.

Why are there so many steps to get Red Songbook?

Apple requires apps be distributed through the App Store, but we didn’t want to make our songs accessible to the public. This means you must get the app from Apple, and the songs from us (or someone else who already has them).

Can the general public access our songs from the App Store?

No, they can only access the file viewer and a .songbook file with public domain nursery rhymes.

Is there a Red Songbook for Android, Windows Phone, Kindle, Nook, etc.?

There is no Red Songbook application for these devices, but the songbook can be read on these devices in PDF, EPUB, iBook, or Kindle formats. All of these are available in the Facebook IALC group in the Files section.

What are the device requirements?

Must have iOS 7.0 or later. The newest version of the app requires iOS 11 or later.

Option 1 - Songbook Text - requires 10 MB of storage space

Option 2 - Songbook Text and Audio for First 3 Verses - requires about 500 MB of storage space

How do I change font size?

Pinch to zoom in and out. The text will resize and rewrap to fit your screen.

Does the app work in both portrait and landscape?

Yes, just make sure Screen Rotation Lock is off and turn your device.

Will this app use up my battery?

The app itself is not a large battery drain, but if practical, we recommend putting your phone in airplane mode and turning down screen brightness to a comfortable level to conserve your battery.

How do I page through songs?

From a song page, swipe left or right to go forward or back.

Example: from song 12, swipe left to song 13 or right to song 11.

How do I search for or jump to a song?

Click on the magnifying glass to search. Then your options are:

Upper case and lower case do not matter.

Searching will not work if you spell things wrong.

Example: Searching “oh how lovly” will not find “Oh How Lovely is the Bride”

What if I find an error in the songbook text?

Select the incorrect text and click “Report a Problem” to send a report to IALCSongbook@gmail.com. Write what the text should be in the email. If you find a lot of errors, you can send one email with a list of errors in multiple songs. We will generally assume the printed book is more correct than the Word document songbook file, and the songbook committee will help us sort out any discrepancies with the printed book.

What if I find an error in the songbook tunes, or know the tune for a song that is missing a tune?

Select the song title and click “Report a Problem” to send a report to IALCSongbook@gmail.com. If possible, record the tune as you think it should be and attach it to the email. The songbook committee will help us sort out any discrepancies.

What if “Report a Problem” makes the app freeze?

That is a known issue. We don’t know what causes it, but it is being worked on. If you are seeing any error messages or issues on your screen, take a screenshot by simultaneously pressing the Home and Power buttons and attach the picture to the email.

What if after I download the .songbook file, the phone says it is zero bytes?

That is a known issue. We don’t know what causes it, but it is being worked on.

What if I’m having a problem or have a suggestion or complaint?

Email IALCSongbook@gmail.com. If you are seeing any error messages or issues on your screen, take a screenshot by simultaneously pressing the Home and Power buttons and attach the picture to the email.

How do I play the audio for the first 3 verses of a song?

You must have Option 2 - Songbook Text and Audio for First 3 Verses. See Download Instructions above. In the lower right corner of the song, click on the box with the arrow and select “Play Tune.” It will play out the speaker even if your ringer is off.

How do I give the .songbook file to someone else?

In the lower right corner of any song, click on the box with the arrow. Depending on your songbook version, you will be able to share the book by email or AirDrop, or you can select Share Book or Share Book & Tunes. Share Book shares the text only, a very small file that can be shared by email or AirDrop. Share Book & Tunes shares the text with embedded audio files, a 250 MB file that can only be shared by AirDrop and will take several minutes to send.

What is AirDrop?

AirDrop is peer-to-peer sharing with iOS devices near you. It works even if you have poor cellular signal. http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5887

How do I know if I have the latest .songbook file?

The cover page of the songbook has a version number.

When new inserts or corrections are released for the printed book, how will I get them in the Red Songbook app?

The updated songbook is obtained the same way as your original songbook. You will have to download the file at the links above or get it from someone who already has it. The 2014 insert is included in the latest version.

How do I know if I have the latest Red Songbook app available?

Go to the App Store on your phone. If there is a newer version of the Red Songbook app, it will show up under “Available Updates.”

Will I lose my .songbook file if I update the app from the App Store?

No, you will keep your current .songbook file and will not go back to nursery rhymes.