YouTube Music is Google LLC's music service, first released on November 11, 2015 and last updated on November 3, 2026. It mixes live performances, covers and remixes with curated playlists and personal Mixes. The content rating is Teen.
Who gets the most from a video-linked music service
The app suits people who want streaming built around personal taste rather than a fixed catalog to browse. It leans on live performances, covers and remixes, music the developer says is hard to find elsewhere. That mix makes it a fit for listeners who like versions of songs beyond the studio original.
It also fits people who move between devices. It works on phones, desktops, smart speakers, smart TVs, cars and smart watches, and there is a Tile for Wear OS. It is compatible with Google Maps, Waze and Google Assistant, which matters for listening in the car.
Mixes, activity playlists and the Library in practice
Personalization is the center of the app. It builds playlists and Mixes around the kinds of music you like, and it adds activity mixes for Workout, Relax and Focus sessions. Two named recommendation mixes, Discover Mix and New Release Mix, are aimed at finding new songs.
You can also browse by genre, including Hip Hop, Pop, Country, Jazz, Kpop, Latin and Rock, or by mood such as Chill, Sleep, Romance and Commute. Top charts from around the world are included.
The Library gathers liked and added songs, playlists, artists and albums in one place. Playlists can be made with song suggestions, and other music fans can collaborate on them. Song lyrics are available for singing along, and you can switch between audio and video versions of a track.
Ads, Premium and what the free tier leaves out
The app is free to start with, but it carries ads and offers in-app purchases. Premium adds ad-free listening, background playback and downloads, including smart downloads, though it is offered only in select countries.
Premium members may still hear or see branding or promotions that creators embed in their content. Free trials and introductory prices are for first-time subscribers of YouTube Red, Music Premium, YouTube Premium and Google Play Music.
YouTube Music pros and cons
Pros
- Live performances, covers and remixes sit alongside standard releases
- Activity mixes for Workout, Relax and Focus sessions
- Lyrics and a switch between audio and video
- Works on phones, TVs, cars, smart speakers and Wear OS watches
- Playlists can be built collaboratively with other listeners
Cons
- Contains ads in the free version
- Includes in-app purchases, and Premium is available only in select countries
- Background play and downloads need Premium
- Premium members may still encounter creator-embedded promotions
Is YouTube Music safe?
The Teen content rating applies, and the app contains ads and in-app purchases. Because the app keeps a personal library and builds Mixes around your listening, it works with your Google account, so look over the permission list on its store page before you decide.
How to install YouTube Music
- Press the Google Play button on this page.
- Check the listing in the Play Store and press Install.
- Open YouTube Music when the install finishes. Updates arrive through Google Play.
