How do I play music through Google Chrome?

ByJael Lawler

Google Chrome offers several options for listening to music while browsing the web. You can enable Chrome’s built-in music player to play audio files and music from streaming sites. There are also extensions like SoundCloud and Spotify that provide music playback features. In addition, many websites have web apps or use HTML5 audio tags to play music. This guide will cover the main methods for playing music in the Google Chrome browser.

Enabling Chrome’s Built-In Music Player

Chrome has a built-in music player that can be enabled to play audio files directly in the browser. The player supports common formats like MP3, WAV, OGG and more. To enable Chrome’s music player:

  1. Open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar.
  2. Search for “Media Session Service” and enable the flag.
  3. Relaunch Chrome for the change to take effect.

Once enabled, the music player will appear at the bottom of the Chrome window when playing compatible audio files. You can control playback and volume directly within Chrome without needing any extensions. According to Enjoy Music Player, this offers a convenient way to listen to music stored locally or online.

Using Extensions and Apps

Chrome Extensions allow you to customize your browser and add additional functionality. There are several music-focused extensions that can enhance the music playback experience in Chrome.

One popular extension is YTM+ for YouTubeTM Music. This extension upgrades the YouTube Music listening experience within Chrome by providing additional features like downloading, lyrics support, and more. It aims to be an all-in-one tool for YouTube Music fans.

Extensions like SoundCloud and Spotify add support for streaming music from those services directly within the Chrome browser. This allows you to access your playlists, stations, and more without having to navigate away to their standalone apps.

There are also Chrome extensions that identify music playing from any source, like AHA Music. These can be helpful for discovering information about new songs you hear while browsing the web.

Overall, extensions greatly expand Chrome’s music abilities. From listening to services like Spotify and YouTube Music to identifying songs from any website, extensions enable a robust music experience directly within your browser.

Using Web Apps

One of the easiest ways to play music through Chrome is by using web apps and streaming sites. Popular music and video streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, and SoundCloud all work seamlessly in Chrome without needing to install any extensions.

Simply navigate to the site in Chrome, log in if needed, and start playing music. You’ll be able to pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, and take advantage of all the native features offered by each streaming platform. The audio will play directly through your default speakers or headphones.

An advantage of using web apps for music is that you don’t need to download or install any additional software. As long as you have an internet connection, you can access your favorite streaming sites and services through the Chrome browser on desktop or mobile.

Using the HTML5 Audio Tag

The

This will embed an MP3 file called song.mp3 and display a simple audio player that allows users to play/pause the audio. You can also specify multiple sources to provide fallback options for different browsers:

The HTML5 audio element allows you to embed music into web pages without the need for plugins like Flash. It is supported in all modern browsers. However, there are some limitations to be aware of:

  • The default controls are very simple. You’ll need custom CSS or JavaScript to create more stylized players.
  • There is limited support for some codecs depending on the browser. MP3 and OGG are most widely compatible.
  • Audio may not autoplay on mobile devices due to restrictions.
  • Audio playback may be inconsistent across browsers in regards to buffering and other features.

Overall, the HTML5 audio tag provides an easy way to add simple audio playback to a website. For more robust music integration, extensions, web apps, or JavaScript libraries can provide enhanced functionality and customization.

Using the Web MIDI API

The Web MIDI API allows you to play MIDI files directly in Chrome without requiring any extensions or external apps. This uses the MIDI devices and software already installed on your computer to play MIDI files through Chrome.

To leverage the Web MIDI API, you first need to check that the api is supported in your browser. You can check with:


if (navigator.requestMIDIAccess) {
  // WebMIDI is supported
} else {
  // No native MIDI support
}

Next, you request access to the MIDI devices using navigator.requestMIDIAccess(). This will return a MIDIAccess object containing the available MIDI input and output devices.

You can then select MIDI inputs and listen for MIDI messages to play notes. For example:


function playNote(note) {
  // Play note
}

midiAccess.inputs.forEach(input => {
  input.onmidimessage = message => {
    const command = message.data[0]
    const note = message.data[1]
    if (command === 144) { // noteOn
      playNote(note)
    }
  }  
})

This allows you to leverage MIDI files and instruments through the browser without any additional software. The Web MIDI API provides full control and processing of MIDI data directly within Chrome.

Casting Local Files

One way to play music through Google Chrome is by casting local music files from your computer. To do this, you’ll need to have a Chromecast Audio device or a Chromecast-enabled speaker like Google Home or Nest Audio. Then you can cast music files stored locally on your computer to the Chromecast device using Chrome.

First, make sure your computer and Chromecast device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Chrome browser on your computer and navigate to the Chromecast desktop stream page by going to chrome://cast. Alternatively you can click on the Cast icon in the toolbar and select Cast desktop. This will allow you to stream your computer’s audio to the Chromecast.

Next, open the music files or music player on your computer that you want to cast. You may need to enable the “Share audio” feature in Chrome’s settings to see the Cast option. When ready, click the Cast button and select your Chromecast Audio device. This will start streaming the music from your computer to the connected speaker. You can then control playback using the music app on your computer.

The process is similar for casting audio from media apps like Spotify. Just open the app on your computer, connect to the Chromecast as described above, and use the Cast button in the app. This allows you to stream music, podcasts, and other audio from desktop apps to your Chromecast device. With the proper setup, Chrome makes it easy to play local music files on your Chromecast speaker.

Sources:

[How to cast personal .mp3 files to Chromecast audio or Chromecast 3rd gen](https://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/comments/ijv063/how_to_cast_personal_mp3_files_to_chromecast/)

Casting Online Sources

One of the most popular uses of Chromecast is to stream music from online sources like Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, and more. To cast from these streaming sites and services to your Chromecast device:

Open the music or audio streaming app on your phone, tablet, or laptop and start playing a song or podcast. Look for the Cast button in the app (it looks like a TV with a WiFi symbol). Tap the Cast button and select your Chromecast device from the list. The app should then “hand over” playback to the Chromecast and you’ll hear the audio playing from your TV or speakers. You can then control playback using the app on your phone.

This allows you to easily cast audio from your mobile device to your home speaker system. Apps like Spotify also have special integrations with Chromecast for an optimized casting experience. Many streaming sites have added Chromecast support over the years, so look for the Cast button in your favorite music and podcast apps.

According to sources:

“Connect your device and Chromecast built-in speaker to the same wireless network. Open the Google Play Music app Google Play icon. Tap the Cast button and select your Chromecast device.” (Source)

Keyboard Shortcuts

Chrome supports keyboard shortcuts for controlling music playback without having to click around the interface. This allows you to easily pause, play, skip tracks, adjust volume, etc. while listening to music.

On Windows and Linux computers, you can use your keyboard’s media keys to control playback. This includes keys like Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Volume Up, Volume Down, etc. To enable this, go to chrome://flags/#hardware-media-key-handling and make sure the setting is enabled.

You can also use keyboard shortcuts like Alt+Left Arrow and Alt+Right Arrow to go backward and forward between tracks. The spacebar will play/pause the current track. Ctrl+Up Arrow and Ctrl+Down Arrow will increase/decrease the volume. These shortcuts work regardless of whether media key handling is enabled.

On macOS, you can use media keys built into Apple keyboards and keyboards with media controls. Play/Pause, Forward, Back, and Volume Up/Down keys should control playback out of the box.

With these options, you don’t need to click around the Chrome interface to control music playback. Just use your keyboard’s media keys or shortcuts.

Troubleshooting

If you are having issues getting audio to play properly in Chrome, here are some things you can try:

First, check that your operating system’s default audio device is set correctly and working properly. Go to your OS sound settings to confirm the correct output device is selected. Try changing it to another device and testing if audio works.

Next, in Chrome, go to Settings > Advanced > Privacy and security > Site settings > Sound and make sure that sound is allowed globally. Try toggling it off and back on again.

You can also go to chrome://settings/content/sound in your address bar and make sure sound is enabled there. Try changing the output device selected in this menu.

If a specific site has no sound, check for a mute button on the page itself. Also try right clicking on the page and making sure audio is not muted in the context menu.

Some sites require you to interact with the page first before audio will play. Try clicking on a video player or starting audio playback.

As a last resort, try restarting your computer or logging out and back in again to reset audio devices and drivers.

If you are still experiencing no audio in Chrome after trying these steps, your specific hardware configuration may be causing an issue. Search online for solutions related to your operating system version, sound card/drivers, and Chrome version.

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