Frequently Asked Questions

You need: (1) An iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 16.6 or later, (2) Your Bluetooth headphones (any model), (3) A USB-C or Lightning to 3.5mm audio adapter with microphone input support. That's it! Check our Compatible Adapters page for tested options.

Tested and working: Sonos USB-C Line-in Adapter (best audio quality, natively stereo), Biaze USB C Sound Card, UGREEN CM722. See our Compatible Adapters page for full details and specifications.

Yes! For older iPhones and iPads with Lightning ports, use a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (with data support) along with a compatible USB audio adapter. See our Compatible Adapters page for details.

IFE Bridge is available on the App Store. For the latest features and updates before they're officially released, you can join our TestFlight beta program (free).

Seat Doctor™ is IFE Bridge's exclusive feature that fixes broken or malfunctioning seat audio—something hardware Bluetooth adapters can't do. It includes channel routing (fix mono seats, swap channels), noise gate (remove background hiss), and auto-volume compression (balance inconsistent levels). Access it via the Seat Doctor menu in the app.

Yes! This is a common problem with damaged IFE seats. Open Seat Doctor → Channel Issues → select "Mirror Left to Both" or "Mirror Right to Both" depending on which channel is working. The working channel will be copied to both ears so you get full audio.

Use Seat Doctor → Channel Issues → "Swap Left ↔ Right". This will reverse the channels so audio plays in the correct ear.

Yes! Enable Seat Doctor → Noise Gate. This removes background hiss from damaged jacks while preserving the actual audio content. The gate uses a -46dB threshold with smooth attack/release curves.

Enable Seat Doctor → Auto-Volume. This applies dynamic range compression to balance inconsistent audio levels. You can adjust the strength from 1 (gentle) to 5 (aggressive) based on how much compression you need.

The Sleep Timer automatically stops the audio bridge after a set duration (15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes). Perfect for falling asleep to a movie without the IFE playing all night. Access it via Seat Doctor in the app. The timer continues counting down even if you change other audio settings.

No. Hardware adapters are passive devices—they just pass through whatever audio signal they receive. They cannot process, fix, or modify the audio. If your seat has mono audio or background hiss, a hardware adapter will transmit that broken audio to your headphones. Seat Doctor™ is software-based real-time audio processing that can actually fix these problems.

Seat Surgeon™ is a collection of experimental, cutting-edge audio processing features for power users. It includes Volume Limiter (blocks loud announcements), Dynamic Leveler, 3-band Parametric EQ, and Stereo Width control. These are advanced tools that give you professional-grade control over your audio experience.

The Volume Limiter is a brick-wall limiter that prevents audio from exceeding a set percentage (10%-100%). It's perfect for blocking sudden loud announcements from the IFE system while preserving dialogue and normal content. Set it to 70% or lower to ensure no unexpected loud sounds. This is different from volume control—it caps the maximum possible volume regardless of the source level.

Both use compression, but they work differently. Auto-Volume is designed to fix inconsistent audio levels from damaged seats. Dynamic Leveler is a more advanced compressor for power users who want precise control over dynamic range. Most users will only need Auto-Volume. Use Dynamic Leveler if you're an audio enthusiast who wants even more compression control.

Parametric EQ is a professional 3-band equalizer that lets you adjust specific frequency ranges with precise control over frequency, gain, and bandwidth (Q). Use it if you want surgical control over your audio's frequency response—for example, cutting out specific resonances or boosting certain frequencies. Most users will be fine with the standard 7-band graphic EQ in Seat Doctor.

Stereo Width adjusts the separation between left and right channels. 0% creates mono audio (left and right are identical), 100% is normal stereo, and 200% creates an exaggerated wide stereo effect. Use it to narrow or widen the soundstage, or to create mono audio from stereo sources.

Latency is typically 50-100ms total, which is imperceptible for most content. The app uses an optimized low-latency audio pipeline with real-time monitoring. You can adjust buffer size in settings if needed.

Some USB adapters (especially the Sonos adapter) output line-level audio, which is about 30dB quieter than mic-level. Use the Input Gain slider in the app to boost the volume. Start with 2-3x gain and adjust from there.

Yes! IFE Bridge runs in the background. You can minimize the app, use other apps, or even lock your screen. The audio bridge keeps running. You can also use Siri ("Hey Siri, start IFE Bridge") or the lock screen widget for quick control.

Battery usage is comparable to streaming music via Bluetooth. For long flights, consider bringing a portable charger or using the IFE system's USB port for charging (if available).

Yes! IFE Bridge includes a WAV recording feature. Tap the recording button while the bridge is running. Recordings are saved to your device and can be played back, shared, or deleted directly in the app.

Try unplugging and replugging the adapter. Make sure it's firmly connected. Some adapters take a few seconds to be recognized. If the issue persists, try restarting your device with the adapter connected.

Try increasing the buffer size in Advanced Settings (Settings icon → Advanced). Higher buffer = more stable audio but slightly higher latency. Also ensure your Bluetooth headphones are charged and close to your phone.

Important: Bluetooth headphone settings are controlled entirely through your iPhone or iPad's system settings, not through the IFE Bridge app.

First, pair your headphones with your device:

• iOS/iPadOS 18: Open Settings → Bluetooth → Select your headphones from the list
• iOS/iPadOS 16-17: Open Settings → Bluetooth → Turn on Bluetooth → Select your headphones

If your headphones are paired but still not working:

1. Tap the Advanced menu icon (top right corner of IFE Bridge)
2. Verify the Audio Input Selection shows your USB adapter
3. Verify the Audio Output Selection shows your Bluetooth headphones

Note: Audio Output can only be controlled by selecting the appropriate Bluetooth headphones from your device's Bluetooth menu, not from within the app.

If the Input Level meter is hitting 100%, you're clipping. Lower the Input Gain slider. If it's still low, try a different Bluetooth mode (Settings → Bluetooth Mode). A2DP offers the best quality.

IFE Bridge works with any IFE system that has a 3.5mm headphone jack. This includes most airlines worldwide. It's hardware-agnostic—we're just bridging the audio signal.

Absolutely! IFE Bridge works with any audio source that can output to a 3.5mm jack: gym equipment, hotel TVs, museum audio guides, gaming consoles, etc.

Yes! IFE Bridge is perfect for using AirPods on airplanes. All AirPods models work seamlessly with IFE Bridge, including AirPods (2nd & 3rd gen), AirPods Pro (1st & 2nd gen), and AirPods Max.

Why use AirPods with IFE Bridge on flights:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): AirPods Pro and AirPods Max block out cabin noise, engine rumble, and crying babies—perfect for long flights
• Transparency Mode: Stay aware of flight announcements without removing your AirPods
• Superior Comfort: No bulky airline headphones or tangled wires
• Seamless Integration: Automatic switching between IFE audio and your iPhone, quick access to Siri, battery status in iOS
• High-Quality Audio: Better sound quality than airline-provided headphones

Works with all Bluetooth headphones: Beats, Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, and any other Bluetooth headphones that pair with your iPhone or iPad.

No. All audio processing happens locally on your device. We don't transmit, upload, or store any audio data. Recordings you make are stored only on your device. See our Privacy Policy for details.

IFE Bridge collects no personal data, no analytics, and no tracking. We don't even have a server to send data to. Everything runs 100% on-device.