Talk with a friend over your AirPods while you each listen to your own music. RunningBuds just received major feature updates for version 2.0. Check it out!
Please note that RunningBuds requires an iPhone running iOS 26 or later and Apple AirPods with the H2 chip (for example, AirPods 4 or 5, or AirPods Pro 2 or 3). It will also work with most wired headphones that have a mic. Your friend needs the same setup - an iPhone on iOS 26 and H2-chip AirPods or wired headphones with a mic.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Have you ever been out for a run, a ski day, or a ride with a friend and had to make a choice between talking to each other or listening to music? Maybe you just find it hard to hear what your friend is saying because you're not right next to each other. RunningBuds is the answer!
With RunningBuds you simply put in your AirPods, pair your phones, fire up your music, and start chatting!
RunningBuds is private. There are no accounts to sign up for, and your conversation is encrypted between you and your buddy's phones.
RunningBuds uses the latest audio technology to provide a high-quality conversation experience. It provides an on-phone voice activity detection system to only send your voice when you're talking, so your buddy doesn't hear background noises or heavy breathing as you run up that hill. If you've ever tried doing something like this over a phone call or with other apps, you've probably noticed that your music goes from high quality to sounding like hold music. RunningBuds fixes this with its custom audio engine, so your music and conversation remain at full quality!
RunningBuds works online and offline. Whether you’re within cell coverage or out in the wilds, you can keep the conversation going.
WHAT IT DOESN'T DO
Please note that RunningBuds is NOT a music-sharing service. You listen to your music on your phone, and your buddy listens to their music on their phone. The only thing that gets shared between phones is your conversation.
SUBSCRIPTION
RunningBuds offers a one-week free trial, a monthly subscription, and an annual subscription. Only the host (the person that creates the call) requires a subscription. Anyone joining a call can use it for free.
Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. You can manage or cancel your subscription through the app or your App Store account.
Privacy Policy: https://www.runningbuds.app/privacy.html
Terms of Service: https://www.runningbuds.app/terms.html
My boyfriend and I are usually either out for a run or on ride with our headphones in, so this has honestly been such a fun addition. We always had to choose between listening to music or talking, but now we get to do both. It’s actually easier to hear each other than when we’re running side by side without headphones.It took me a minute to figure out all the settings, but once we got everything connected, it just worked. As someone who loves long runs with my favorite human, it’s made something we already love doing together even more fun.
Finally!!!
ryansch
I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. I NEED my music when I’m out for a run, but I usually leave my headphones at home when I’m running with someone. This app lets me have both and works surprisingly well. It’s simple to use, and the way it mixes voice with music is pretty cool. I emailed the developer and it sounds like an offline mode is coming soon, which I’m looking forward to because sometimes I’m out on the trails and don’t have cell coverage. Stoked this exists!
RunningBuds 2.1.2 is another minor bug fix release, with the following improvements:
- Additional Echo Reduction tuning to reduce choppiness in partner speech at the edge of detection
- New in app help messages to assist through situations where iOS may have removed WiFi pairing on Offline calls
- Cached subscription information to reduce interruptions while completely offline
Version 2.1.2
The developer, Codelous, LLC, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Identifiers
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
