YouTube Music Premium is a dedicated music streaming service from YouTube, designed for users who want an ad-free listening experience with background play and downloads.
What is YouTube Music Premium?
YouTube Music Premium is a subscription-based music and audio streaming service. Its primary purpose is to provide official songs, albums, thousands of playlists, artist radio, and a vast catalog of remixes, live performances, and music videos that are unique to the YouTube platform. The app is targeted at music enthusiasts who are already integrated into the YouTube ecosystem and want a more focused, premium experience. Its general functionality revolves around streaming, discovery, and personalization of audio content.
Why Should You Use YouTube Music Premium?
Users choose this service for its deep integration with the broader YouTube library, which includes content not found on other platforms. The primary draw is the removal of advertisements, both audio and video, which creates an uninterrupted listening session. Furthermore, it enables users to play music with their phone screen off or while using other apps, a fundamental feature for mobile listening that is locked behind the paywall in the standard, free version of YouTube Music.
Key advantages include:
Access to YouTube's unique music catalog.
An ad-free environment.
Background and offline playback.
A high-quality audio streaming option.
Key Features of YouTube Music Premium
Ad-Free Music and Videos: Listen to official albums and singles without interruptions from audio or video ads.
Background Play: Continue listening to music with your screen off or while navigating other applications on your device.
Downloads for Offline Playback: Save songs, playlists, and videos directly to your device to listen to without an internet connection.
High-Quality Audio Streaming: Stream music at up to 256kbps AAC bitrate for a superior sound experience.
Access to YouTube's Unique Catalog: Explore official music, remixes, live performances, covers, and music videos you won't find anywhere else.
Additional Features
Smart Search: Find songs using vague lyrics or by describing the music video, powered by Google's robust search technology.
Personalized Mixes: Receive automatically generated playlists like My Mix and Discover Mix, tailored to your personal taste and listening history.
Seamless Switching: Easily switch between the audio-only track and its official music video within the same app.
How to Download and Install YouTube Music Premium
1. Open the official app store on your device (Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS).
2. In the search bar, type "YouTube Music."
3. Locate the official app developed by Google LLC and tap on it.
4. Tap the "Install" button (Android) or "Get" button (iOS) to download and automatically install the app.
5. Once installed, open the app and sign in with your Google account. You can then subscribe to YouTube Music Premium via in-app purchase.
How to Use YouTube Music Premium
1. After installing and subscribing, open the YouTube Music Premium app.
2. Use the Search tab to find specific artists, albums, or songs.
3. Explore the Home tab for recommendations and new releases based on your tastes.
4. Tap the Library tab to access your playlists, downloaded songs, and listening history.
5. Tap the download icon (downward arrow) next to any song, album, or playlist to save it for offline listening.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
The user interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate.
The app is highly stable and reliable for daily use.
It offers excellent value for users deeply invested in the YouTube ecosystem.
The learning curve is minimal, especially for existing YouTube users.
Cons
The subscription cost is a recurring expense.
Some users may find the music recommendation algorithm differs from competitors like Spotify.
Managing uploaded personal music libraries is less intuitive than on Google Play Music (now defunct).
Is YouTube Music Premium Safe to Use?
Yes, the official YouTube Music Premium app from Google LLC is safe to use. It is a legitimate service hosted on official app stores. The app requires permissions like network access for streaming, storage access to save offline downloads, and microphone access for voice search features. These permissions are standard for a music streaming application and are clearly stated during installation.
Compatible Apps or Tools
YouTube Music Premium integrates seamlessly with other Google services and hardware. Key compatible tools include:
Google Assistant: For voice-controlled playback on mobile devices and smart speakers/displays.
Google Home & Nest Speakers: Set it as the default music service for whole-home audio.
Google Maps: Allows for mini-player control within the navigation app.
Wear OS: Offers a dedicated app for controlling playback on compatible smartwatches.
FAQs
Is there a free version of YouTube Music?
Yes, a free, ad-supported version of the YouTube Music app exists. However, it does not support background play or downloads and includes advertisements.
Can I use YouTube Music Premium offline?
Absolutely. A core feature of YouTube Music Premium is the ability to download songs, albums, and playlists for offline listening.
Does my subscription include YouTube Premium?
No, a YouTube Music Premium subscription is separate. A YouTube Premium subscription includes all benefits of YouTube Music Premium plus ad-free viewing on the main YouTube app.
What is the audio quality for streaming?
The service streams at up to 256kbps AAC, which is considered high quality and is on par with other leading streaming services.
Conclusion
YouTube Music Premium is a robust and competitive music streaming service that leverages YouTube's massive and unique catalog to its full advantage. Its strongest selling points are the ad-free environment, background playback, and access to remixes and live versions of songs. For those seeking a seamless transition from video to audio within the Google ecosystem, this platform is a compelling choice worth considering for a subscription.
