In today’s digital age, music streaming has become the most popular way to listen to music. Platforms like YouTube offer a wide range of music, but unfortunately, they do not allow users to download music for offline listening. This limitation can be frustrating, especially when you want to enjoy your favorite songs without an internet connection. However, there are ways to download YouTube music for free on Android devices. In this blog post, we will explore different methods that will enable you to download your favorite songs and enjoy them offline whenever you want.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To download YouTube music for free on Android, you will need a few things:
1. An Android device: This could be a smartphone or tablet running on Android OS.
2. Internet connection: You will need an internet connection to search and download music from YouTube.
3. YouTube Music Downloading App: There are various apps available on the Google Play Store that allow you to download music from YouTube. You will need to install one of these apps on your Android device.
What Requires Your Focus?
Before diving into the methods of downloading YouTube music for free, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
1. Copyright infringement: Downloading copyrighted music without permission is illegal in many countries. Make sure to only download music that is available in the public domain or under a creative commons license.
2. Advertisements: Some free downloading apps may contain advertisements. While these ads are usually not intrusive, they may still appear from time to time.
3. Internet connection: Ensure that you have a stable internet connection while downloading music to avoid interrupted downloads or incomplete files.
Method 1: How to Download YouTube Music via YouTube Music Premium
To download YouTube music for free on Android, you can take advantage of YouTube Music Premium, which is a paid subscription service. However, YouTube offers a 30-day free trial for new subscribers. Here’s how you can use YouTube Music Premium to download music:
Step 1: Install the YouTube Music app on your Android device from the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Sign up for a free trial or a YouTube Music Premium subscription.
Step 3: Open the YouTube Music app and search for the song you want to download.
Step 4: Once you find the desired song, tap on the three dots next to it.
Step 5: From the options that appear, select "Download."
Step 6: The song will now be downloaded and stored within the YouTube Music app for offline listening.
Pros:
1. Legal and official way to download music from YouTube.
2. High-quality audio downloads.
3. Ad-free listening experience during the trial period or with a paid subscription.
Cons:
1. Requires a paid subscription after the trial period ends.
2. Limited to the songs available on the YouTube Music platform.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Legal and official way to download music from YouTube. | 1. Requires a paid subscription after the trial period ends. |
| 2. High-quality audio downloads. | 2. Limited to the songs available on the YouTube Music platform. |
| 3. Ad-free listening experience during the trial period or with a paid subscription. |
Method 2: How to Download YouTube Music via YouTube Video Downloading Websites
If you prefer a free method to download YouTube music on Android, you can use websites that allow you to convert and download YouTube videos as audio files. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your Android device and find the music video you want to download.
Step 2: Tap on the share button below the video and select the "Copy Link" option.
Step 3: Open a web browser on your Android device and search for a YouTube video downloading website.
Step 4: Paste the copied YouTube link into the provided field on the website.
Step 5: Select the desired audio format (usually MP3) and quality for the downloaded file.
Step 6: Click on the "Download" button, and the website will convert the YouTube video into an audio file.
Step 7: Once the conversion is complete, the download link for the audio file will be displayed. Tap on the download link to save the file to your device.
Pros:
1. Free method to download YouTube music.
2. No need to install additional apps on your Android device.
Cons:
1. The audio quality may vary depending on the website and the original video quality.
2. Many YouTube video downloading websites are filled with ads, which may be intrusive.
3. These websites may not be legal in some countries, so downloading copyrighted music could be against the law.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Free method to download YouTube music. | 1. The audio quality may vary depending on the website and the original video quality. |
| 2. No need to install additional apps on your Android device. | 2. Many YouTube video downloading websites are filled with ads, which may be intrusive. |
| 3. These websites may not be legal in some countries, so downloading copyrighted music could be against the law. |
Method 3: How to Download YouTube Music via Third-Party Apps
There are several third-party apps available on the Google Play Store that allow you to download YouTube music for free on Android. One such popular app is "TubeMate." Here’s how you can use TubeMate to download music:
Step 1: Install TubeMate from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
Step 2: Open the TubeMate app and search for the music video you want to download.
Step 3: Tap on the video to play it, then tap on the red download button located at the bottom right corner of the app.
Step 4: TubeMate will provide different download options with various formats and qualities. Select the desired format and quality for the audio file.
Step 5: Tap on the "Download" button, and TubeMate will start downloading the music video as an audio file to your device.
Step 6: Once the download is complete, you can access the downloaded music in the TubeMate app or your device’s file manager.
Pros:
1. Free method to download YouTube music.
2. Multiple format and quality options to choose from.
Cons:
1. TubeMate and similar apps may have intrusive ads.
2. Downloading copyrighted music is illegal and against the terms of service of YouTube.
3. These apps may not be available on the Google Play Store in some countries.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Free method to download YouTube music. | 1. TubeMate and similar apps may have intrusive ads. |
| 2. Multiple format and quality options to choose from. | 2. Downloading copyrighted music is illegal and against the terms of service of YouTube. |
| 3. These apps may not be available on the Google Play Store in some countries. |
Method 4: How to Download YouTube Music via YouTube Go App
YouTube Go is another official app by YouTube that allows users to download videos for offline viewing. While its main focus is on video downloads, you can still use it to download YouTube music. Here’s how:
Step 1: Install the YouTube Go app from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
Step 2: Launch the YouTube Go app and search for the music video you want to download.
Step 3: Once you have found the video, tap on it to play it.
Step 4: Below the video player, you will see a download button with the option to select the quality of the video. Tap on it.
Step 5: YouTube Go will provide you with different quality options for the video. Since you only want the audio, select the lowest quality available.
Step 6: Tap on the "Download" button, and YouTube Go will start downloading the video as an audio file to your device.
Step 7: Once the download is complete, you can find the downloaded music in the Downloads section of the YouTube Go app.
Pros:
1. Official app by YouTube for offline video downloads.
2. Simple and easy-to-use interface.
3. Provides options to choose the video quality, which indirectly affects the audio quality.
Cons:
1. Limited audio quality options compared to other methods.
2. Only available on devices running Android 4.2 or higher.
3. Requires a stable internet connection for the initial download.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Official app by YouTube for offline video downloads. | 1. Limited audio quality options compared to other methods. |
| 2. Simple and easy-to-use interface. | 2. Only available on devices running Android 4.2 or higher. |
| 3. Provides options to choose the video quality, which indirectly affects the audio quality. | 3. Requires a stable internet connection for the initial download. |
Why Can’t I Download YouTube Music?
There are a few reasons you may encounter difficulties when trying to download YouTube music for free on Android. Here are some common reasons:
1. Copyright protection: YouTube has strict policies against downloading copyrighted material. Many music videos on YouTube are copyrighted and cannot be downloaded legally without permission from the copyright holder. This restriction is in place to protect the rights of artists and content creators.
2. Terms of service: YouTube’s terms of service explicitly state that downloading videos or audio from their platform is not allowed unless they provide a download button or other similar features themselves. Violating these terms of service can result in your account being suspended or terminated.
3. Platform limitations: YouTube is primarily a streaming platform and is designed to provide content for online playback. Downloading videos or audio goes against the intended use of the platform.
If you want to download music legally, it is recommended to use legitimate sources such as official music streaming platforms or purchase the music from authorized online stores.
Q1: Can I use these methods to download YouTube music on iOS devices?
A: No, these methods are specifically for downloading YouTube music on Android devices. iOS devices have different app ecosystems and limitations, so the methods may not be applicable.
Q2: Are these methods legal?
A: The legality of downloading YouTube music depends on the specific circumstances and local copyright laws. Using official methods like YouTube Premium or authorized music downloading apps is generally legal. However, downloading copyrighted music without permission is illegal in many countries. Always make sure to check the copyright status of the music you intend to download and comply with local laws.
Q3: Can I download entire playlists or albums using these methods?
A: Yes, some methods allow you to download entire playlists or albums from YouTube. For example, YouTube Music Premium allows you to download entire playlists for offline listening. Third-party apps like TubeMate may also have features to download entire playlists or albums.
Q4: Are the downloaded YouTube music files compatible with other music players?
A: Yes, once downloaded, the YouTube music files are usually saved in a standard audio format like MP3. These files can be played on any music player that supports the respective audio format.
Q5: Can I share the downloaded YouTube music files with others?
A: It is generally allowed to share downloaded YouTube music files for personal use. However, distributing them for commercial purposes or without permission from the copyright holder may infringe copyright laws.
Final Words
Downloading YouTube music for free on Android can be a convenient way to enjoy your favorite songs offline. While some methods may be restricted or illegal in certain countries, there are legal and official ways to download music from YouTube. Options like YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Go offer an easy and straightforward way to download music from YouTube directly. Alternatively, there are third-party apps and websites that allow for free downloads, but users should be cautious about copyright infringement and comply with local laws. Always ensure that you have the necessary permissions to download and use the music files responsibly.