Edit 2: Well I’ll be damned. An extremely knowledgeable and kind stranger just reverse-engineered the whole thing and poured it into a python script. And it’s only Monday. See comments for the script.

Edit: Oh wow, this community is already on fire. Thanks for your advice everybody, I didn’t even think of intercepting the downloads in transit! Brilliant.

I will try to see how far I can get there, but that does sound much easier than rummaging around in iOS. Thank you all :)

Hello,

I’m trying to get the downloaded audio out of an iOS app, but I struggle because the information I can find is mostly rather old, needs some additional software I need to pay for, etc. The content is downloaded post installing the app, so simply accessing the IPA doesn’t help.

I have this app called naturespace (see naturespace.org), it’s an app that has really good recordings of rain, thunderstorms, etc. In my opinion those recordings are far better than anything I’ve heard so far.

Now, I did pay for the content, but the app hasn’t been updated for years now, and there’s also been no new content for years as well. I wrote to the owners but didn’t get any response. I guess you could consider it abandoned at this point.

Since I fear that anytime soon the app stops working, I’d like to save that content.

I’m a bit tech savvy, I can work with CLI and such, but I’m not a professional coder or hacker, any help is appreciated.

  • Aaron@lemmy.studioEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    I wouldn’t have a clue how to hack the content out of the app itself. Maybe re-recording it via a headphone adapter cable is the easiest way. I know they’re doing some funky 3D audio thing, but it’ll still be 2 channel audio.

    • quandoquando@slrpnk.netOPEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Yes, I thought about that as well, but if possible I would prefer to retain the original data (also I just like to tinker with stuff :) ).

      However, like you said, they’re doing some “spatial” stuff they don’t disclose. I assume it’s just some EQ, but if they really have some algorithm to compute HRTF or even they’re own audio format, then re-recording might actually be the only solution.

      • Aaron@lemmy.studioEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        I hear you, I’d like the original data too. If you do manage to get the files out, please do let us know what worked for you. Good luck!

        • quandoquando@slrpnk.netOPEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          Lol, this community is simply amazing already :D

          Somebody just reverse-engineered the App and the files’ encryption and poured it into a simply python script, see the comments in this thread.