Can you listen to YouTube Music on Android Auto?

YouTube Music is Google’s music streaming app and service launched in 2018. It allows users to stream official songs, albums, playlists, and music videos on demand. YouTube Music also offers a paid subscription ad-free option called YouTube Music Premium.

Android Auto is Google’s platform for connecting Android smartphones to car infotainment systems. It allows drivers to access apps like Google Maps, messaging, and music streaming hands-free through an interface optimized for driving. Android Auto launched in 2014 and comes built-in to many new cars today or can be accessed with an aftermarket head unit or adapters.

What is YouTube Music?

YouTube Music is a music streaming service launched by YouTube in 2018. It allows users to stream official songs, albums, playlists, and music videos from YouTube’s catalog of over 50 million tracks. YouTube Music is part of the YouTube Premium subscription service and is owned by Google.

As a music streaming platform, YouTube Music competes with services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. It provides both an ad-supported free tier and a paid subscription option called YouTube Music Premium. The premium version offers features like offline downloading, background listening, and an ad-free experience.

YouTube Music aims to take advantage of YouTube’s massive music catalog and serve as a one-stop destination for finding both official songs and related user-generated content like lyrics videos, remixes, covers, and live performances. It offers personalized recommendations based on a user’s listening history and interests.

What is Android Auto?

Android Auto is an in-car platform that allows you to access apps from your Android smartphone safely while driving. It mirrors select apps from your phone onto your car’s infotainment display, providing a simplified interface optimized for use in the vehicle. Android Auto was introduced by Google in 2014 and launched in 2015.

When connected to a compatible car or head unit, Android Auto brings core apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant, phone functions, and music playback to a larger screen that’s easier to see and interact with while driving. It’s designed for quick, voice-controlled operation to minimize distractions. Apps are displayed with large buttons and text, while notifications are limited.

Android Auto aims to provide a seamless mobile driving experience by integrating navigation, communication, music, and other smartphone functions into the car’s infotainment system. With Android Auto, drivers can access many of the same apps and services available on their Android devices while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Compatibility Requirements

In order to play YouTube Music on Android Auto, you will need to have a few key compatibility requirements met:

You must have an Android phone running Android 6.0 or newer and have the latest version of the Android Auto app installed. The YouTube Music app should also be updated to the latest version.

Your vehicle will need a compatible Android Auto car stereo or head unit. Many car models released in the last few years come equipped with Android Auto built-in. You can also install an aftermarket stereo to add Android Auto to older vehicles. Confirm that your head unit is running an Android Auto version that supports media apps.

Both wired Android Auto via USB and wireless Android Auto connections are supported for streaming YouTube Music. For wireless, your phone and car stereo will need to be compatible with Android Auto wireless projection.

As long as your Android phone, Android Auto app, car stereo, and connection method meet these requirements, you should be able to successfully play YouTube Music through your car’s infotainment system.

How to Play YouTube Music on Android Auto

To play YouTube Music on Android Auto, you first need to make sure your YouTube Music account is linked to Android Auto. This allows Android Auto to access your YouTube Music library and playlists. Here are the steps:

1. On your Android phone, open the Android Auto app.

2. Tap the profile icon in the upper right corner.

3. Select “Connected apps.”

4. Tap on “Add new app.”

5. Select “YouTube Music” from the list.

6. Tap “Connect.”

This will link your YouTube Music account to Android Auto. Now in your Android Auto car display, you need to set YouTube Music as your default music player:

1. Tap the music note icon to open the music section in Android Auto.

2. Tap the icon in the bottom left corner to select your music player.

3. Choose “YouTube Music” from the list.

Once set as default, your YouTube Music library and playlists will automatically appear in Android Auto. You can use voice commands like “Play my Thumbs Up playlist”, or browse and tap playlists and albums directly on your car’s display.

Source: https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/answer/9231765?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

Playback Features

One of the main benefits of using YouTube Music with Android Auto is accessing your full playback functionality and library while driving. When connected, you can use Android Auto to play songs, playlists, stations, liked songs, and search for music in YouTube Music hands-free.

With Android Auto integration, you have full access to play any song, playlist, album, artist, or station from your YouTube Music library. You can simply ask Google Assistant to play something specific by voice command, or browse and select content to play using Android Auto’s interface on your car’s display. This allows you to easily queue up music and control playback without handling your phone.

YouTube Music also lets you play your Liked Songs playlist and customized stations through Android Auto, making your favorites and personalized recommendations accessible on-the-go. The Android Auto integration effectively provides the same playback features you’re used to within the YouTube Music app itself.^[1]

Limitations

While YouTube Music is compatible with Android Auto, it does have some notable limitations when used in that context. Most significantly, YouTube Music does not support video playback through Android Auto. Since Android Auto is designed for use while driving, only the audio portions of videos will play through the system for safety reasons. Any music videos or other video content on YouTube Music will be limited to audio playback only on Android Auto.

In addition to the lack of video support, some other YouTube Music features are missing or limited in Android Auto as well. Playback controls may be more basic, lacking options like queue reordering that are available in the YouTube Music app itself. Library management and playlist creation is also limited since Android Auto is primarily focused on playback rather than editing. Some users have noted shuffle inconsistencies and incomplete playlist loading as well ^[1].

Overall, while you can access your YouTube Music library and playlists through Android Auto, the experience is streamlined and lacks some of the deeper features and customization options available directly within the YouTube Music app. The functionality focuses on simple playback for safety during driving.

Tips for the Best Experience

Here are some tips to help you get the best experience using YouTube Music with Android Auto:

First, make sure you have the latest versions of both the YouTube Music and Android Auto apps. Apps are constantly updated with bug fixes and new features, so keeping them updated is key for a smooth experience. You can update apps through the Play Store on your Android device.

Next, check your settings in both apps. In the YouTube Music app, make sure downloads, uploads and cache are enabled. This will allow you to save songs for offline playback. In Android Auto, check that YouTube Music is enabled as a media app and that options like autoplay are configured to your liking.

Speaking of offline playback, this is a great feature to use with YouTube Music and Android Auto to avoid interruptions in connectivity. Add your favorite playlists, albums or songs to your library for offline use. Just tap the download button within the app. This way you’ll have seamless listening while driving without using any mobile data.

Finally, if you do encounter any issues getting YouTube Music to work properly in Android Auto, try rebooting or resetting the Android Auto app. Sometimes a fresh start can resolve problems connecting or streaming playback.

Alternatives

While YouTube Music is compatible with Android Auto, there are other excellent music streaming options as well. Some popular alternatives include:

Spotify – With over 80 million songs and thousands of expertly curated playlists, Spotify is one of the most popular streaming services. It offers seamless integration with Android Auto. Learn more at www.spotify.com.
Apple Music – For iPhone users, Apple Music can be a convenient option since it comes preloaded. It has over 90 million songs and works well with Android Auto. Find out more at www.apple.com/apple-music/.

Amazon Music – Amazon Music has a catalog of over 90 million songs, many of which are available for Prime members. It works seamlessly with Android Auto. Get details at music.amazon.com.
Pandora – Pandora radio’s streaming music service offers customized stations perfect for listening in the car. It integrates smoothly with Android Auto. Learn more at pandora.app.link/androidauto.
Tidal – With over 70 million tracks and 250,000 videos, Tidal appeals to audiophiles with high quality audio. It partners neatly with Android Auto. Check it out at tidal.com.

With robust catalogs and Android Auto optimization, any of these can serve as an excellent alternative if you want options beyond YouTube Music.

Conclusion

In summary, YouTube Music can be played on Android Auto as long as your device and vehicle meet the compatibility requirements. Setup involves connecting your Android phone to your car through USB or wireless Android Auto, and launching the YouTube Music app from your vehicle’s infotainment system.

Once connected, you’ll have access to playback features like queue management, playlists, search, voice commands and more. However, some limitations exist such as inability to play videos and download restrictions imposed by Android Auto. Following tips like preparing playlists ahead of time, using voice commands frequently, and updating to the latest software versions can lead to the best experience.

While not perfect, the integration of YouTube Music with Android Auto has improved over time. For most people seeking ad-free, on-demand streamed music in their car, YouTube Music combined with Android Auto provides a solid solution.