Various AstellnKern devices now support Android based (APK) streaming apps through their Open APP service.
Here is a list of music players supporting this feature:
- Astell&Kern SP2000
- Astell&Kern SP2000T
- Astell&Kern SP1000
- Astell&Kern SP1000M
- Astell&Kern SE100
- Astell&Kern SE180
- Astell&Kern SE200
- Astell&Kern KANN Cube
- Astell&Kern KANN Alpha
- Astell&Kern SA700
- Astell&Kern SR15
- Astell&Kern SR25
*Updated 12/9/2021
Applications such as Spotify, Amazon Music, etc. will not be available on older models, only on the current/new models via Open App Service (sideloading). Open App Service is available on SR15, KANN Cube, SE100, SP1000M, SP1000, SP2000 and all future models unless specified that it will not be available.
For the embedded apps on the older players, Tidal is the only streaming service that can be used in the US (online mode only due to restrictions from the record labels since it is built into A&K's system). Although Qobuz was built into some of the players, at the time it was not available in the US therefore when it is selected it will say that it is not available in the territory and unfortunately this will continue to be the case. Tidal is available on AK70, AK100 II, AK120II, AK240, AK300 series (AK300, AK320, AK380) and all models after).
Open APP Services support the following streaming apps:
Tidal, Quboz, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, SoundCloud, TuneIn Radio, myTuner, Sirius XM, DS Audio, Bandcamp, Melon, Bugs, Music Mate, AWA, QQ Music, KK BOX, KT genie, Joox, and Moov
*Specific validated apps by Astell&Kern can be installed on the select players. Not all apps available in app stores will be validated for Astell&Kern devices, such as Apple Music and Google, but will be continuing to add services available for download. Although an app is validated, there might be some restrictions on services, policies or updates. Also, keep in mind that some apps are only available in select countries.
How to Install the Open APP Service
Please follow these instructions on how to download and install the Open APP Service on your Astell&Kern player (Example: download and install of Spotify on SP1000M from APKPure.com):
1). On your computer, visit apkpure.com
2). Type "Spotify" in the APKPure search box and press enter.
3). Select "Spotify Music" to go to the app's page. Once there, click on the green button "Download APK" to start the download.
4). Connect your Astell&Kern music player to your computer. Next, drag the downloaded Spotify file into the file named "OpenService" on the player's directory (*Note that the OpenService folder is automatically generated on the player. The process will not work if the app file is placed outside of this folder).
5). Once complete, safely disconnect your Astell&Kern player from the computer.
6). On the main menu of the Astell&Kern player, select the "Service" folder.
*Note: The "Back" button (in picture below on right of screen) can be relocated if in the way or covering icons. Simply press and drag the button up or down to relocate.
7). Now you will see the apps that have been downloaded to the player and you can install the app by tapping on the icon to the right.
8). Next, select "INSTALL" to start the install process.
9). Once the install is complete you are ready to start streaming!
(To install other streaming apps on the A&K music player, repeat the steps above for each service)
Music Streaming App Offline Mode Support
Some apps such as Spotify and Tidal support offline mode. For full instructions on how to set this up, please refer to the instructions for the corresponding application. Also, some applications allow you to choose the location of where the files are stored locally. To save storage space on the device, you can choose files to be saves to the external memory (microSD card) in the settings of the app.
Note: you will not be able to access these files outside of the application, as they will be hidden. Also, the pre-installed applications on the Astell&Kern DAPs do NOT support Offline mode. ONLY the APK Open APP versions of the applications support offline downloading. Usually in the list of the applications, the pre-installed apps will show at the top and later installed applications will follow.
*Example: How to play Tidal in offline mode
1). While connected to WiFi, download content that you are wanting to access when in offline mode.
2). Once all the files are downloaded, switch off the WiFi on the device.
3). Access you offline content in the Tidal app and start playing. Note: You will still be able to directly access your currently playing content through the Notification Bar while the app is running.
Do Astell&Kern Players support XAPX files?
Yes.
- Under the services menu, check to confirm that you have the APK Pure XAPK Installer installed as an app on your Open App supported Astell&Kern player.
- You can download the XAPK installer directly from the APK Pure website
- Once downloaded, copy the contents to the OpenService folder. Activate the installer on the player once you see it appear in the services menu on the player.
- Copy the XAPK of the music service you would like to install to the OpenService folder.
- Open the XAPK installer app on the player and choose the appropriate file you would like to install.
- Click install.
*Please note, you cannot install any XAPK files. You are still limited to apps that are currently whitelisted by Astell&Kern. For more information on supported apps and how to install APKs, visit OpenApp Service Instructions. -Astell&Kern
- CAUTION -
The source of apps that are listed above are unknown and not provided by Astell&Kern. Please be aware that if any app is installed, the device may be damaged and personal data compromised. If you install an app from an unknown source, despite the warning, Astell&Kern is not responsible for any damages to the device and data resulting from the application's installation. Downloading and installing such applications may limit the scope of after-sales services provided by Astell&Kern. Installation of any application is under the discretion of the user.
If you have any further questions or comments regarding the installation of APK apps onto your Astell&Kern device, please leave a comment below. We have many great products from Astell&Kern available - check out our Astell&Kern Brand Page to learn more. Happy listening!
