How to Get and Play Custom Songs on Project Sekai

How to Play Custom Songs and Fanmade Charts in Project SEKAI

If you spend any time browsing YouTube or TikTok, you’ve likely stumbled upon jaw-dropping rhythm game videos featuring custom Project SEKAI: Colorful Stage! (PJSK) charts. From viral memes and internet tracks to impossibly complex fanmade charts of your favorite Vocaloid hits, it looks like players are injecting entirely new songs straight into the game.

Can you actually mod custom songs directly into the official Project SEKAI app? Let’s break down how custom songs work, what is realistically possible, and how you can start playing fanmade charts today.

The Reality Check: Can You Mod Songs Into the Official App?

The short answer is no, you cannot directly import custom songs or fanmade charts into the official Project SEKAI mobile app downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Because Project SEKAI relies on strict server-side architecture, anti-cheat protocols, and licensed copyright management, inserting unauthorized audio files or modified map data into the game client isn’t supported. Doing so would risk account suspension.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t play custom songs. The rhythm game community solved this problem by utilizing a specialized companion platform designed precisely for custom charts and fanmade content.

Enter Sonolus: The Home of Custom Project SEKAI Charts

If you want to play custom PJSK songs, you are looking for Sonolus.

Sonolus is a modular, open-source platform built specifically for rhythm game enthusiasts. It acts as an engine loader where creators can build, share, and play custom charts. Best of all, developers have created Project SEKAI server skins and UI setups for Sonolus that mimic the exact look, sound effects, lane layout, and note styles of Project SEKAI.

When you see creators playing bizarre or unreleased songs with the familiar Colorful Stage interface, they are almost always playing through Sonolus.

Step-by-Step: How to Play Custom PJSK Songs

If you want to experience custom charts for yourself, follow this roadmap to get set up:

Step 1: Understand the Requirements

• Device: Sonolus is available for Android and iOS (though iOS installation can occasionally require alternative app sideloading methods depending on current Apple developer restrictions).
• Storage: Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a bit of free space for caching song assets, audio files, and background videos.

Step 2: Download the Sonolus App

1. Head over to the official Sonolus website or trusted community repositories to download the application for your mobile device.
2. Complete the installation, granting any necessary permissions for storage so it can download chart data smoothly.

Step 3: Connect to a Project SEKAI Server/Skin

Once Sonolus is open, you won’t automatically see the PJSK layout. You need to connect to a server or external repository that hosts Project SEKAI custom content:

1. Inside Sonolus, navigate to the Servers tab.
2. Add a community-maintained Project SEKAI server URL (these can easily be found on community hubs like the r/sonolus Reddit or dedicated PJSK Discord communities).
3. Once connected, the interface, judge lines, tap effects, and flick notes will transform to replicate Colorful Stage.

Step 4: Browse and Play!

• Dive into the server’s song library. You’ll find hundreds of custom charts ranging from meme songs and sped-up edits to master-level charts crafted by talented community members.
• Download your chosen track, pick your preferred difficulty, and enjoy playing custom music with authentic PJSK mechanics.

Alternative: Customizing Your In-Game Profile Audio

If you meant “custom songs” in terms of changing the background music (BGM) on your in-game Custom Profile rather than the rhythm gameplay, the game does feature a built-in custom profile editor.

While you can’t upload local audio files from your phone’s storage straight into the game, players use designated layout tools, text codes, and pre-existing asset IDs within the profile builder framework to decorate their spaces and embed approved elements. However, for actual rhythm gameplay with custom tracks, Sonolus remains the undisputed go-to option.