Want to listen to YouTube Music offline? This feature is one of the biggest draws for those who want to enjoy their favorite music without relying on mobile data or a Wi-Fi network. YouTube Music has evolved significantly to allow for the offline music experience, but there are certain requirements, methods y Tricks –official and alternative– that you should know to get the most out of the platform, both on Android, iOS and PC. Below, we offer the most complete guide complete, detailed and updated with all the possible methods to listen to YouTube Music without internet.
Top Methods to Listen to YouTube Music Without Internet
There are several ways to enjoy your favorite music offline. The most basic and reliable option is through a Premium subscription, but there are also alternative solutions for computers and external tools. We explain each one in depth so you can choose the most suitable one.
Prerequisites and considerations
- Premium account: You need to be a subscriber of YouTube Music Premium o YouTube Premium to download songs, albums, playlists, and podcasts for offline listening. Free users have certain restrictions, which we'll discuss later.
- Updated application: Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed on your mobile device or tablet (Android/iOS).
- Sufficient storage space: The number of songs or albums you download depends on the free space on your device and the selected audio quality.
- Regular internet connection: You must connect to the Internet at least once every 30 days to renew your download license and keep it active.
- Podcasts: Recently, it's also possible to download podcast episodes for offline listening, provided the creator allows it.
Smart or automatic download: how to have music always available effortlessly
The smart downloads YouTube Music's Smart Downloads feature is an exclusive feature for Premium members that allows you to always have music ready to listen to offline, without having to select individual tracks to download. It's based on your listening history to anticipate your preferences and automatically select songs and playlists.
Setting up smart downloads is very simple:
- Open the YouTube Music app on your phone.
- Click on your profile picture, located in the top right corner.
- Go to the section Downloads and access Configuration.
- Activate the option smart downloads.
The system will automatically download, usually overnight and when you're connected to Wi-Fi, the songs or albums you've listened to most recently or those similar to your preferences. This selection is updated every 24 hours, and you can change the number of songs downloaded.
- No manual intervention required and ensures you never run out of music, even when your internet goes down unexpectedly.
- If you don't like a song, you can remove it from your mixtape by swiping left.
- Functionality is limited to songs and albums; podcasts are not included in Smart Downloads.
Note: Remember that to start the first download and for the system to update the songs, your device must be connected to the Internet.
Manually download songs, playlists, albums, and podcasts on YouTube Music
If you prefer to manually choose what you want to listen to offline, the platform allows you to download individual songs, albums, playlists, or even podcast episodes.
Follow these steps:
- Open YouTube Music on your Android or iOS device.
- Find the song, album, playlist, or podcast you want to download. You can use the search bar or browse your favorite categories.
- Click on the menu of the three vertical points next to each song, album or playlist.
- Choose Download.
- The content will be automatically saved in the section Library > Downloads of the app.
- For podcasts, tap the episode details page and select the download menu, provided the creator allows it.
- When downloading albums or entire playlists, you can do so by simply tapping the down arrow icon on the album or playlist details page.
Main advantage: You only use the music you're really interested in. You can manage your downloads and delete them at any time to free up space on your phone or tablet.
Some downloads may be restricted depending on the content creator's policy.
Downloading YouTube Music on the web: Can I listen offline on my computer?
Until recently, the Downloading music to listen to music without internet was only available in mobile apps.However, YouTube Music has begun enabling download options on its web version for computers, although features may vary by region and subscription type.
To download and listen offline on PC:
- Requirement: Have an active Premium subscription and the latest version of the compatible browser.
- Accede to YouTube Music from the browser on your PC.
- Find the song, album, or playlist you want. If the download option is enabled, you'll see the corresponding icon next to the content.
- Click on Download to save it in the section My library.
- To maintain access to your downloads, you'll need to connect your PC to the internet at least once every 30 days, just like on your mobile device.
At present, Not all countries have this feature available in the web versionIf you don't find the option, you can resort to third party tools (see following sections), always under your responsibility and respecting copyright.
Manage the quality and storage of offline downloads
The YouTube Music app lets you configure key details to optimize your offline experience:
- Audio quality: You can select whether you want lower or higher quality to save space or enjoy the best possible experience.
- Storage location: Choose whether downloads will be saved to internal storage or an SD card (on supported devices).
- Connection types: You can restrict downloads to Wi-Fi only or enable them on mobile data (useful for unlimited data plans).
- Delete downloads: From the settings menu you can quickly clear the memory if needed.
Remember that the available space and quality you choose will influence the amount or duration of content you can store.
What if you don't have YouTube Music Premium? Alternative and legal solutions for listening to music offline
YouTube Music's official policy limits song downloads for offline play to Premium members. However, if you use the free version, you can use some legal alternatives: more information here.
- Upload your own songs: YouTube Music allows you to import up to 100.000 of your own songs from your computer. These songs can be downloaded and listened to offline from the app, even without a Premium subscription.
- Individually uploaded playlists: If you have your own songs on your free account, you can download them one at a time from the track options.
- Use podcasts, audiobooks, and free content: Some creators allow podcast downloads without Premium, although this depends on each creator's policy.
If you want to download music from the platform in bulk and without being Premium, you can find third-party applications, but many of these options may infringe copyrights or not offer the same quality or security.
Third-party tools to download music from YouTube Music and listen to it offline on your computer
In the desktop environment, there are different applications and programs that allow you to download music from YouTube Music legally or at your own riskAmong the most popular are:
- MiniTool Video Converter: Free software that doesn't require a login. It allows you to download videos and audio in various formats (MP3, WAV, etc.) and perform batch conversion. It's ideal for those looking to store music on their computer and transfer it to other devices.
- DRmare Audio Capture: It allows you to record and store music played on YouTube Music or other platforms, preserving quality and ID3 tags. Its built-in editor also allows you to trim and edit files before exporting them.
- TunePat YouTube Music Converter: It supports downloading and converting YouTube Music playlists, albums, and videos to a variety of formats (MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF). You can use it with free or paid accounts, and it has batch conversion features.
The use of these programs may pose risks regarding copyright and the platform's usage policies. They should always be used with royalty-free music or for personal and private use, not for redistribution.
General Guide to Using MiniTool Video Converter:
- Download and install the software on your computer.
- Open the program, go to the tab Download video.
- Copy the URL of the song or playlist from YouTube Music and paste it into the corresponding field.
- Choose your preferred audio format (MP3/WAV).
- Click on Download and wait for the process to finish.
- Access your downloads from your program history.
There are more similar alternatives, but these are currently the most secure and functional tools on most operating systems.
Frequently asked questions about listening to YouTube Music offline
- Do I need to open the app for offline mode to work? Yes, all downloaded content plays from the app itself, without the need for a connection.
- Can I move downloaded songs out of the app? No, by default, songs remain within the secure YouTube Music environment and cannot be transferred outside (unless you use supported and legal external tools).
- What happens if I change devices or reinstall the app? You may need to re-download all content, as long as your session is active and your subscription is still valid.
- How many devices can I use? You can download music offline on up to 10 devices under a single Google account, depending on YouTube Music policies.
- Is it legal to use third-party apps? Only if you download royalty-free or proprietary music. Downloading commercially available songs for redistribution or sharing may violate copyrights and the terms of service.
Tips for getting the most out of YouTube Music without internet
- Schedule your downloads at home or at work, this way you avoid consuming mobile data.
- Set the audio quality depending on your available space and sound preferences.
- Free up space regularly deleting songs that you no longer listen to or that the system has automatically downloaded and you don't like.
- Check your smart download preferences and customize them according to your listening rhythm.
- Upload your own music collection If you don't want to pay for the Premium subscription but have your own files.
With the options offered by YouTube Music, both officially and through secure third-party alternatives, you can enjoy the best music offline without complications, personalizing your experience and ensuring you never miss a soundtrack, wherever you are. Remember to periodically check the platform's requirements and policies to keep your library up-to-date and legal.
