How do I find song info on Android?
What Song Info Can You Find?
The most common song metadata available on Android devices includes the song name, artist, album, genre, release date, lyrics, music video links, chart rankings, and reviews.
The default music players on Samsung and other Android phones typically display the song name, artist, album, and genre. Third-party music apps may provide additional info like release date, lyrics, music videos, charts, and reviews.
To view all the metadata stored in a music file itself, you can use file managers to check the details. This includes low-level technical data along with descriptive tags like song title, artist, album etc. Apps like Mp3tag also allow editing tags directly in files.
If you need help identifying an unknown track playing around you, services like Shazam and SoundHound can listen to a song and provide info on it. Automotive systems, voice assistants, and other methods can also retrieve song details in specific use cases.
Using Default Music Apps
Android smartphones usually come preloaded with a default music player app, such as Google Play Music, Samsung Music, or Xiaomi Music. These default music apps typically have the ability to display song information like title, artist, album, and genre for music saved on your device or streamed from online sources.
For example, the default music app on Samsung Galaxy devices is Samsung Music. When you open the Samsung Music app and select a song, the song’s details are displayed at the bottom of the screen. Samsung Music will show the current song’s name, artist, album, release year, genre, and duration. With Premium versions connected to streaming sources, song lyrics may also be displayed.
Many default Android music apps can also tap into databases to gather more information about your song collection. For instance, Google Play Music scans your local song files and displays artist bios, album art, and related video content pulled from its online database.
Using Third-Party Apps
There are several excellent third-party apps for Android that can help you identify songs and access song info. Some of the top options include:
Shazam: According to this review, Shazam is one of the “Best Song-Finder Apps” for Android. It can identify songs playing around you by listening to the music. Shazam also provides access to lyrics, videos, and concert information.
SoundHound: Also highly rated as a “Best Song-Finder App,” SoundHound offers similar song recognition features as Shazam. Just open the app and let it listen to a song. You’ll then get access to info and media like lyrics, YouTube videos, and artist bios.
Musixmatch: Focusing more on lyrics, Musixmatch integrates with your device’s default music player to display synced lyrics while songs play. It also includes a lyric-based song search engine to help you find info.
The great benefit of these third-party apps is that they provide quick and accurate song recognition along with direct access to useful song details right on your Android device.
Viewing File Metadata
One of the easiest ways to find information about a song file stored on your Android device is to view the file’s metadata. Every music file contains embedded metadata that includes details like the song title, artist name, album name, year, genre, and more. Here’s how to view metadata on music files:
On your Android device, open the Files app. You can get to your music files either in the Music folder, or wherever else you have music stored. When you locate the file, either long-press on it or tap the three-dot menu icon next to it, then choose “Details” or “Properties.”
A details window will open showing all of the embedded metadata for that file. Here you can see information like song title, contributing artists, album name and artwork, length, bitrate, format, and more. This allows you to quickly check details on any music file without needing to open it in a playback app.
Some details like genre, composer, or release year may not be filled out fully or accurately though. So while the file metadata provides a handy way to view core info, you may need to use other methods to find or edit more specific details about a particular song file stored on your device.
Searching Online
The internet provides many useful resources for finding information about songs. Some of the best places to search include:
Shazam: Shazam is a music recognition app that can automatically identify songs by listening to a short sample. The mobile app integrates with Android, allowing you to easily tag songs playing on your device.
Google: Search engines like Google make it easy to find songs. Try search queries like “lyrics to [song name]” or “[artist] [song title] info.” Oftentimes the results will include useful databases.
Wikipedia: Many popular songs have dedicated Wikipedia pages providing background, credits, charts, release history and more. While less obscure tracks might not be listed, Wikipedia is a great source for detailed mainstream song info.
Specialized lyric sites and music databases like AZLyrics and AllMusic host searchable archives ideal for looking up lyrics, liner notes, personnel lists and discographical data.
Using Voice Commands
Android devices these days come with voice assistants such as the Google Assistant or Samsung Bixby which are capable of identifying songs. You can ask your voice assistant “Ok Google, what song is this?” or “Ok Google, what song is playing” and the assistant will listen to the song and use advanced music recognition technology to identify the song title and artist. Google officially launched this feature back in 2020, and accuracy has greatly improved over the years. Samsung also added song recognition technology to Bixby.
To use this feature, make sure you have the latest version of Google Assistant or Bixby installed, be connected to the internet, and give the voice assistant permission to access your microphone when prompted. The song must be playing out loud through speakers or headphones for the assistant to be able to detect it. You’ll see a loading animation as it listens and identifies the song using its database. Then you’ll get a pop-up card with the artist, song title, and album art.
Voice recognition works with songs that have lyrics, not just instrumental tracks. The larger the song database the voice assistant has access to, the better chances of success. Popular, mainstream songs have a high success rate. With more obscure tracks or live performances, results may vary.
Scanning QR Codes
QR codes on CD covers, posters, and other promotional materials are a convenient way to quickly find more song information on your Android. All you need to do is open your camera app on your Android and point it at the QR code to automatically scan it.
When you scan a song or album QR code, you’ll typically be taken to a landing page with info like lyrics, production credits, liner notes, music videos, and more. Some QR codes may also open a playlist or launch song playback directly in a music app on your device. For example, Spotify Codes take you right to songs, albums, artists, and playlists within the Spotify app when scanned.
You can also find QR codes for individual songs that people have created to easily share music. Services like QR Code Tiger allow you to generate customized song QR codes to print out and post anywhere. When scanned with a phone camera, the QR code plays the song you linked it to. This is helpful for sharing mixes and original music creations!
Overall, QR codes provide a seamless way to discover more about the songs you love off CD covers or posters. And you can generate QR codes for your own tracks to print and post for people to scan and play.
Using Automotive Systems
Many modern cars and trucks come equipped with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or their own infotainment system that connects with a phone via Bluetooth or USB. These systems can display metadata from music playing on your Android device, like song title, artist, album, and more.
To enable song info to display on your vehicle’s screen:
- Make sure your Android device and car infotainment system are fully connected via Bluetooth, USB, or Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
- Open your preferred music app on your Android device and begin playing songs.
- The song metadata should now display on your car’s informational display or infotainment screen. This typically shows the track name, artist, album cover, and more.
- If song info isn’t appearing, check that media audio is enabled in your car infotainment system settings and that you have the latest software updates installed.
Some vehicles may have limited metadata display capabilities depending on screen size and integration with your Android device. Refer to your owner’s manual for full instructions on connecting a device and viewing media info.
If display issues persist, resetting connections or rebooting your infotainment system and Android device can often resolve sync problems with song data (https://community.spotify.com/t5/Android/Song-metadata-not-in-sync-using-Android-Auto-and-Spotify-over/td-p/4610044).
Using Peripheral Devices
Many peripheral devices like Bluetooth speakers, smartwatches, and fitness trackers can display song information when connected to your Android phone. This allows you to view the artist, track title, album etc. without having to pull out your phone.
For Bluetooth speakers and headphones, song info may show up automatically when connected. If not, you may need to enable a developer setting on your Android device:
After developer options are enabled, go to Settings>System>Developer Options>Bluetooth AVRCP Version and make sure it’s set to 1.3 or higher for your Bluetooth device. This allows extended metadata transfer for track information.
On smartwatches like Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series, recent Wear OS watches, and Fitbit devices, install the companion app on your phone and you can control music playback directly from the watch face. This includes seeing current song details.
So if you want to view song info without reaching for your phone, connecting an accessory like a smartwatch or wireless earbuds can display that info right on your wrist or in your ears.
Tips for Finding Obscure Info
If you can’t find certain song details like release date, producer credits, or lyrics using the default Android apps or even third-party solutions, here are some tips for digging deeper:
For cover art, try reverse image searching on Google. Upload the low res artwork you already have to Google Images and see if you can find a higher resolution version.
Use audio fingerprinting services like Midomi or Shazam to identify songs just by playing a sample. They can often provide info beyond just the title and artist.
As a last resort, try contacting the artist or label directly through social media or their official website. Many musicians are happy to provide album credits, lyrics, and other details to dedicated fans.
Searching niche music forums can also turn up tidbits not available anywhere else. Super fans sometimes have access to rare content or insider information.
With persistence and creativity, you can fill in most metadata gaps. But some info might remain elusive for more obscure indie artists and older releases.