So long, Google Play Music - Your guide to YouTube Music
If you were a Google Play Music subscriber, it’s time to say your goodbyes. The company announced Google Play Music is ending and will be transitioned over to YouTube Music. If you’re confused about how this change will work and exactly how YouTube Music works, we’ve got answers!
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What is YouTube Music, and how does it compare to other streaming giants, like Spotify? And for Google Play Music subscribers, how does the transition work? We’ve got all these answers and more, so if you’re ready to get started with YouTube Music, read on for everything you’ll need to know.
What is YouTube Music and how does it work?
YouTube Music is Google’s successor to Google Play Music, and it’s another music streaming service at heart. It has all the familiar features you’d expect with a major audio streaming platform: the ability to stream an enormous library of tens of millions of tracks of music and music videos, strong compatibility across devices, ready to go playlists and both a free and premium option.
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When it comes to the interface, YouTube Music will be largely familiar to users of other streaming services: You can search for and play songs directly, even on the free tier subscription, as well as make playlists, like songs, and discover new music. Like Spotify, YouTube Music does not offer you the option to download music for later offline playing.
Perhaps the most significant difference between YouTube Music and a service like Spotify is that it requires you to keep the application open to play music. If you’re on an iPhone or Android device, you can’t minimize the application, keep your music playing and use another app. When you minimize the YouTube Music app, whatever’s playing will stop.
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As far as pricing goes, for a single user, YouTube Music comes with a free one month trial and then it’s $9.99 a month. For a family of up to six users, it’s $14.99 a month. This is right in line with a service like Spotify. There is also a student plan for $4.99 a month for eligible students and annual verification is required.
How to transition from Google Play Music
First, you’re going to need to download the YouTube Music app, available on both iOS and Android. The actual transferring over is done in a single click through this website. Once you’re on this site, click the transfer now button found at the bottom of the screen. The transfer could take up to 24 hours.
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4 ways to listen to music on your Android
Cassette tapes (remember those?!), CDs and even iPods all feel like distant memories of how we used to listen to music. Today, it’s all about the music you can carry or stream on your Android phone or tablet. All you need is your gadget, a set of earphones or a Bluetooth speaker, and these four apps to enjoy your favorite tunes.