How to Download Music on Android

How to Download Music from YouTube on Android

Downloading music from YouTube on Android allows users to enjoy their favorite tracks offline and on-the-go. However, since YouTube does not officially support downloading music directly, you’ll need to use third-party apps. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Select a Reliable App: Apps like TubeMate, YMusic, or Snaptube are popular choices for downloading YouTube videos and music on Android devices. These apps are not available in the Google Play Store, so you’ll need to download them from their respective official websites.

Enable Unknown Sources: Before you can install apps downloaded outside of the Google Play Store, you must enable installations from unknown sources. Go to your Android settings, select ‘Security’, and toggle on ‘Unknown Sources’.

Install the App: Download the APK file from the official website of the app you’ve chosen. Once downloaded, open the file to install the app on your Android device.

Navigate YouTube within the App: Open the app and use its built-in search feature to find the YouTube video that contains the music you want to download.

Download the Music: Once you find the video, the app will typically offer you a choice of audio and video formats. Select the audio format, such as MP3 or AAC, depending on your needs. Choose the quality you prefer—higher quality audio files will use more storage space.

Access Your Downloads: After the download is complete, you can access the music file within the app, or it may be saved directly to a designated folder on your device, typically found in the ‘Music’ folder.

Manage Your Downloads: Some apps provide features to manage your downloaded tracks, like creating playlists or categorizing files based on artist and album.

Always be mindful of copyright laws and YouTube’s terms of service when downloading music. Only download music that is legally permissible, and consider supporting artists through official channels whenever possible.

How to Download Free Music on Android

If you’re looking to enhance your music library without spending a dime, there are several legal ways to download free music on your Android device. Here’s how you can do it through various apps and services that offer free music legally:

Use Music Streaming Apps: Many music streaming services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer offer free versions. These versions typically come with ads, but they allow you to download music for offline listening. To download:

Install the App: Download the app from the Google Play Store.
Create an Account: Sign up for a free account if you don’t already have one.
Find Music: Search for playlists, albums, or tracks that are available for offline listening.
Download: Look for a download toggle or button, usually indicated by a downward arrow symbol next to the playlist or track. Activate it to download your selected music.

Check Out Internet Radio Apps: Apps like Pandora offer a radio-style service where you can customize stations based on your favorite artists, songs, or genres. With the free version of Pandora, you can download stations for offline listening:

Set Up Your Station: Choose or create a station.
Enable Offline Mode: In the app settings, find the option for offline listening and select the stations you want to download.

Explore Creative Commons or Free Music Archives: Websites like Free Music Archive and platforms that host Creative Commons music provide a wealth of songs that are free to download and legally clear to use. You can access these websites through your Android’s web browser, download the music files, and play them on your device.

Visit the Site: Use your browser to go to a website that offers free music downloads.
Search for Music: Use the search function to find music that interests you.
Download: Files are usually available to download with a simple click, typically labeled with a download icon or link.

Utilize Google’s Own Services: Google Play Music, although phased out in favor of YouTube Music, allowed users to upload their music which could then be downloaded to Android devices. YouTube Music offers a similar feature for accessing music uploaded or purchased through Google.

Access Your Music: If you previously used Google Play Music and transitioned to YouTube Music, your library should be available.
Download for Offline Listening: Find the option within the app to download your music for offline access.

By using these methods, you can download free music on Android efficiently and legally, ensuring a diverse and extensive music library at your fingertips. Always make sure to use reputable services and respect copyright laws.

How to Download Music onto Your Android as a Local File

Downloading music directly to your Android device as a local file offers the convenience of accessing your favorite songs anytime, without the need for an internet connection. Here’s how you can download music onto your Android device as a local file:

Use a Music Download App: There are several apps available on the Google Play Store that allow you to download music directly to your device. Apps like Audiomack and Bandcamp are popular options. Here’s what you need to do:
- Install the App: Search for a music download app in the Google Play Store and install it.
- Browse or Search for Music: These apps often have a vast library of songs across different genres. Find the music you like.
- Download the Track: Once you find a song, there will usually be a download icon next to it. Tap on this icon, and the song will download to your device’s local storage.
Transfer Music from a Computer: If you have music files on your computer, you can easily transfer them to your Android device using a USB cable:
- Connect Your Device to Your Computer: Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to your computer.
- Enable File Transfer: Unlock your phone and swipe down to access the notification panel. Tap on the notification for USB options and select ‘File Transfer’.
- Transfer Files: On your computer, open the device folder, and drag and drop your music files into the Music folder on your Android device.
Download from the Web: If you know of safe and legal websites where you can download music files, you can use your Android device’s web browser to download music directly:
- Navigate to the Website: Use your device’s web browser to go to the website.
- Choose Your Music: Find the music file you want to download.
- Download the File: Tap on the download link or icon. The download will start automatically, and the file will be saved to your device’s download folder or the designated folder you choose.
Use Cloud Storage Services: If you have music stored in cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, you can download these files to your Android device:
- Install the Cloud Storage App: Download and install the app from the Google Play Store.
- Access Your Files: Open the app and navigate to the folder where your music files are stored.
- Download to Your Device: Find the file you want to download, tap on the options menu (usually three dots), and select ‘Download’. The file will be saved locally on your device.

By following these methods, you can download music onto your Android device as local files, allowing you to enjoy your music collection anytime and anywhere without relying on an internet connection.

How to Move Songs to SD Card from Phone

If your Android device supports an SD card, moving songs from your phone’s internal storage to the SD card is a great way to free up space while keeping your music collection accessible. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to move songs to an SD card from your phone:

Prepare Your SD Card: First, ensure your SD card is inserted into your Android device and that it has been properly formatted. Android will usually prompt you to format a new SD card when it’s first inserted.
Use a File Manager App: Most Android devices come with a built-in file manager app, but if yours doesn’t, you can download one from the Google Play Store. Apps like Files by Google, ES File Explorer, or FX File Explorer are good choices.
Navigate to Your Music Files:
- Open the file manager app.
- Locate the internal storage directory and find where your music files are stored. This is typically in a folder named ‘Music’ or within the ‘Audio’ directory in your internal storage.
- If you’re transferring music downloaded from apps like Spotify or Apple Music, you may need to check the app’s settings to find the storage location, as these files are often stored in specific directories within the internal storage.
Select the Music Files:
- In the file manager, navigate to the folder containing your music.
- Tap and hold on a song to start selection mode, then select each song you want to move. Some file managers allow you to select all files within a folder with a few taps.
Move the Files:
- Once you’ve selected the files, look for a ‘Move’ or ‘Cut’ option in the file manager’s menu. This is often represented by an icon or can be found in a menu at the top or bottom of the screen.
- After selecting ‘Move’ or ‘Cut’, navigate back to the main directory and go into the SD card storage.
- Find or create a ‘Music’ folder on your SD card. Once inside the folder, tap ‘Paste’ or the equivalent option to move the files from the phone’s internal storage to the SD card.
Verify the Transfer:
- Once the transfer is complete, navigate to the SD card’s music folder to ensure the files have been successfully moved.
- You can also open your music player app to check if it can still access and play the songs from the new location. If your music app has trouble detecting the songs, you might need to go into the app’s settings and set the storage location to the SD card.
Update Your Settings: If you’re using a music player app that allows you to specify the storage location for music files, make sure to update this setting to the SD card to ensure future downloads go directly to the SD card.

Moving your music to an SD card can help maintain your device’s internal storage capacity and keep your music portable, especially if you switch devices frequently.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to download music on Android, you can keep your favorite tracks with you at all times. Whether downloading from YouTube, free sources, transferring directly to your device, or managing storage with an SD card, these methods provide a comprehensive approach to enjoying music on your Android device. Dive into the world of music with ease and make your Android a personal music powerhouse.