How do I enable YouTube Music on Android Auto?

What is Android Auto?

Android Auto is a smart driving assistant developed by Google to allow you to use apps and services from your Android phone while driving. It projects your phone’s apps and services onto your car’s display screen so you can access them safely without looking at your phone.

To use Android Auto, you connect your Android phone to your car’s infotainment system either wirelessly or via USB. Android Auto then displays a simplified interface with Google Maps for navigation, your music apps like Spotify, podcast apps, and calling features. It’s designed to minimize distractions so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Android Auto runs entirely on your phone but projects onto your car’s larger screen. It’s compatible with most Android phones running Android 6.0 or higher. Over 90% of new cars today support Android Auto, across over 500 car models from 50+ brands.

What is YouTube Music?

YouTube Music is a music streaming service created and operated by YouTube. It allows users to stream songs, albums, playlists, and music videos from YouTube’s official catalog of over 80 million tracks.

The service was launched in November 2015 as YouTube Red, which required a paid subscription. In May 2018, YouTube announced the rebranding of the service as YouTube Music and the launch of an ad-supported free tier.

Some key features of YouTube Music include:

Streaming music both online and offline
Curated playlists and radio stations based on your tastes
Music videos for most tracks

Background listening on mobile
Smart search that finds songs by typing in lyrics

As of 2022, YouTube Music has over 80 million paid subscribers globally, making it one of the top music streaming services.

Why Play YouTube Music in Your Car?

There are several key advantages to streaming YouTube Music in your vehicle versus only having access to traditional radio stations:

First, you’ll have access to all of your personal playlists, favorites, and recommendations from YouTube Music on the go. This means you can listen to the music you actually want to hear without being limited to whatever the radio DJ decides to play (1). With YouTube Music, you can queue up your personalized playlists before each trip for a seamless listening experience.

Another major perk is the ability to easily control your music playback using voice commands, steering wheel buttons, and your vehicle’s infotainment system. For example, you can ask Google Assistant to play a specific song, artist, or even a personalized playlist. This is far more convenient than constantly having to find new radio stations while driving (2).

Overall, streaming services like YouTube Music offer much more flexibility, personalization, and control compared to traditional over-the-air radio when listened to in the car.

Requirements to Enable YouTube Music

To get YouTube Music working with Android Auto, you’ll need to make sure you have compatible hardware and software installed. Here are the key requirements:

First, you’ll need an Android Auto compatible car or aftermarket head unit. Most cars built within the last few years support Android Auto, but you can check your car’s manual or the Android Auto website to confirm compatibility.

You’ll also need an Android smartphone running Android 6.0 or later. Older versions of Android do not support the latest Android Auto. Make sure your phone’s operating system is up to date.

Additionally, you’ll need to install the latest versions of both the Android Auto app and the YouTube Music app from the Google Play store. Older app versions may not be fully compatible.

As long as you have a compatible car stereo, an up-to-date Android phone, and the latest app versions, you should be all set to enable YouTube Music on Android Auto!

How to Connect Android Auto in Your Car

Android Auto can connect to your car’s infotainment system either wirelessly through Bluetooth or with a USB cable. Here are the steps to connect using both methods:

Connect with USB

To connect Android Auto via USB:[1]

Plug one end of a USB cable into your phone

Plug the other end into your car’s USB port
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup

Some newer vehicles can connect wirelessly over Bluetooth instead. Make sure both your phone and car support wireless Android Auto.

Connect Wirelessly

To connect Android Auto wirelessly:[2]

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and pair it with your car
Open the Android Auto app on your phone

Select your car system from the menu
Accept any prompts on your car’s display to complete setup

If you face any connection issues, try these troubleshooting tips:

Make sure your phone is running the latest version of Android Auto
Reset the connection by uninstalling and reinstalling Android Auto app
Check for any software updates for your car’s infotainment system

Try switching USB ports or cables if connecting via USB

With some patience, you should be able to get Android Auto connected in your car!

[1] https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/6348029?hl=en

[2] https://www.android.com/auto/

Launching YouTube Music in Android Auto

Once you have Android Auto set up and connected in your vehicle, launching and using YouTube Music is straightforward. Here are the steps:

First, open the Android Auto interface on your car’s display. This will show the main Android Auto home screen with app icons along the bottom and Google Assistant microphone icon.

Next, look for and tap on the music/audio app icon in Android Auto. This will open a view showing available music and audio apps on your phone that work with Android Auto, including YouTube Music if you have it installed.

Finally, select the YouTube Music app icon to open up the app. YouTube Music should launch directly in Android Auto, allowing you to access your music library, playlists, and other features just as you would on your Android phone.

According to Google’s Android Auto help documentation, tapping the audio icon is the way to launch any music app in Android Auto, including third party options like YouTube Music.

Playing Music & Features in YouTube Music

YouTube Music provides a full-featured interface for searching, browsing, and playing music in Android Auto. The Android Auto version mirrors much of the functionality found in the mobile app.

The main screen shows personalized recommendations, new releases, and your playlists and liked songs that have synced from your YouTube Music account. You can scroll through these sections to find something to play.

To search for specific songs, artists, albums, or playlists, use the voice command “Ok Google, play [query] in YouTube Music” or tap the microphone icon. Android Auto will play the requested content from YouTube Music.

When a song, playlist, or album is playing, you can like, dislike, queue up additional songs, or move to the next track with voice commands or on-screen controls. These actions sync back to your YouTube Music account, so everything stays in sync between your phone and Android Auto.

YouTube Music playlists created on mobile or desktop are available in Android Auto. Your liked songs playlist also stays consistent between devices. Queueing songs on Android Auto will add them to the play next queue in the mobile app.

Overall, the YouTube Music integration provides a full music listening experience in Android Auto, mirroring most of the core functionality from the mobile app with large buttons optimized for in-car use.

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

Troubleshooting Common YouTube Music Issues

Here are some common troubleshooting steps for fixing playback issues with YouTube Music in Android Auto:

Fixes for Music Not Playing or Playback Problems

If you launch YouTube Music in Android Auto but don’t hear any audio, try the following:

Make sure the volume on your car stereo and phone are turned up. Android Auto follows your car’s volume control.

Check that YouTube Music is set as your default music player in your phone’s Apps settings. Android Auto will default to the set music player.
Restart the YouTube Music app on your phone. Close it fully from the recent apps view.
Unplug and replug your phone from Android Auto. Sometimes this resets connectivity.

Check for any available updates for Android Auto or YouTube Music and install them.
Toggle Bluetooth off and on again on your phone if you use wireless Android Auto.

If App Crashes or Won’t Open

If YouTube Music crashes frequently or won’t open at all in Android Auto, try:

Reboot your phone and car stereo/head unit.
Clear cache and data for the YouTube Music app.
Check that you have a stable internet connection on your phone.

Uninstall and reinstall the latest versions of YouTube Music and Android Auto.
Factory reset your car head unit if issues persist and check for firmware updates.

Troubleshooting Connection Errors

If Android Auto struggles to connect or maintain a connection to your car display, some things to try include:

Use a different USB cable, preferably the one that came with your phone.
Plug your phone into a different USB port in your car.
Disable battery optimization for Android Auto in your phone’s settings.

Check for obstruction, dirt, or looseness with the USB port in your car.
Factory reset your phone or car stereo if intermittent connection issues occur.

Tips for a Smooth YouTube Music Experience

Here are some tips to help ensure a smooth playback experience when using YouTube Music with Android Auto:

First, make sure you have updated to the latest versions of both the YouTube Music and Android Auto apps. Updates often contain bug fixes and performance improvements that can prevent issues.

It’s also a good idea to disable battery optimizations for YouTube Music in your phone’s settings. This prevents your phone from aggressively restricting resources when the app is running in the background.

Additionally, switch YouTube Music to stream high quality audio in the app’s settings. This ensures you get the best sounding music through your car speakers.

Finally, connect your phone to a stable, high speed WiFi or cellular data network. Music streaming requires consistent connectivity, so switch to offline mode if you are in an area with poor reception.

Following these tips should lead to a much smoother listening experience with no buffering or interruptions.

FAQs about YouTube Music and Android Auto

Here are some frequently asked questions about using YouTube Music with Android Auto:

Do I need a paid subscription to use YouTube Music with Android Auto?

No, you can use the free, ad-supported version of YouTube Music with Android Auto. However, a paid YouTube Music Premium subscription provides ad-free listening, offline downloads, and background playback which can be useful features for in-car listening.

Can I download songs for offline listening?

Yes, with a YouTube Music Premium subscription you can download songs, playlists, and albums for offline listening in Android Auto. This allows you to listen without an internet connection.

Are there any limitations on what I can play?

YouTube Music has some restrictions on what can be played through Android Auto. User-generated content like remixes or covers may not be available. There are also limits on very long videos. In general, official licensed music content works best.

Why can’t I browse my full library in Android Auto?

To minimize driver distraction, Android Auto has a simplified interface that only shows recommended and recently played content. You can ask Google Assistant to play specific songs, albums etc. from your full YouTube Music library.

How do I get help with problems using YouTube Music and Android Auto?

You can visit the YouTube Music support page for troubleshooting tips. The Android Auto subreddit is also a good place to find help for specific issues.