3 min read

How to Share Setlists with Your Band Using GigScroll

You made the setlist. You typed in all the lyrics. Now the rest of the band needs it too. Here is how to share everything in one file.

GigScroll uses a simple file format — .gigscroll — to package up setlists and songs so you can send them to other people or move them between your own devices. It is basically a JSON file with a different extension. Inside, it contains the setlist, every song in that setlist (including lyrics, scroll speed, font size, and other settings), and some metadata.

Nothing fancy. Just everything your bandmates need to have the same setlist on their phones.

Sending a Setlist

Open the setlist you want to share and tap the Share button. GigScroll creates a file named using the pattern Setlist-{Name}-YYYY-MM-DD.gigscroll and opens the standard iOS share sheet. From there you can send it however you like:

  • AirDrop — fastest option if everyone is in the same room
  • Messages — works for remote bandmates
  • Email — good for people who are not on iMessage
  • Files — save it to iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or wherever you keep things

That is it. One tap, one file, and the whole setlist is on its way.

What Happens on the Other End

When your bandmate taps the .gigscroll file, GigScroll launches automatically and navigates to the Settings screen to begin the import process. If they do not have GigScroll installed, iOS will prompt them to download it from the App Store.

Before anything gets imported, GigScroll shows a preview. The preview tells the recipient how many songs are in the file, how many setlists, and whether any songs already exist in their library. No surprises.

Three Ways to Handle Duplicates

The import screen offers three strategies:

  1. Skip duplicates — This is the default. If a song with the same name already exists, GigScroll leaves it alone and only imports new songs. Safe and simple.

  2. Replace duplicates — Overwrites existing songs with the versions from the file. Useful when you have updated lyrics or changed scroll speeds and want everyone on the latest version.

  3. Keep both — Imports everything, adding an "(imported)" suffix to any songs that would otherwise conflict. Good if you are not sure which version you want to keep.

Pick whichever makes sense for the situation and tap import.

Full Backup Export

Sharing individual setlists covers most day-to-day needs. But sometimes you want to export everything — all your songs, all your setlists, and all your settings in one file.

Go to Settings and tap Export All Songs & Setlists. GigScroll creates a file named GigScroll-Backup-YYYY-MM-DD.gigscroll containing your entire library. You can save this to Files, email it to yourself, or AirDrop it to a new device.

This is also just a good habit before a gig. If something happens to your phone, you have a backup ready to go.

Practical Use Cases

Before rehearsal. Build the setlist during the week and send it to everyone the night before. When they show up, the lyrics are already on their phones. No more passing around crumpled paper or squinting at a shared music stand.

Between your own devices. If you build setlists on your iPad but perform with your iPhone, export from one and import on the other. Same songs, same settings, same scroll speeds.

Before a gig. Export a full backup to iCloud Drive. If your phone dies, borrow one, install GigScroll, and import the backup. You are back in business in under a minute.

A Note About the Free Tier

GigScroll has a free tier with a 20-song limit. This applies to imports too — if an import would push someone over 20 songs, they will need to upgrade to the full version to complete it. Worth mentioning when you share files with bandmates who are new to the app.

Getting Started

If you want more detail on any of the features mentioned here, check out the user guide. And if you have not tried GigScroll yet, it is available on the App Store.

For a complete walkthrough of getting ready for a gig, see from rehearsal to stage: building a performance workflow. If your bandmates are new to GigScroll, point them to the step-by-step teleprompter guide.