Try Samples for quick discovery, translated lyrics for supported songs, and Smart Downloads, background play, or audio-only playback if you have YouTube Music Premium. Samples and translated lyrics are useful starting points; the other three make listening more flexible when you are away from the screen or offline.
At a glance: which features need Premium?
| Feature | What it does | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Samples | Plays short music-video segments for discovery | Available with the ad-supported tier |
| Translated lyrics | Shows translated lyrics when supported | Availability depends on the song; the help page does not specify a tier requirement |
| Smart Downloads | Automatically saves music based on listening history | Premium; mobile app |
| Background play | Keeps music playing with another app open or the screen off | Premium for music; most podcasts can play in the background without membership |
| Audio-only playback | Plays music without loading its video | Premium for music; podcast availability differs |
YouTube Music’s free tier also includes on-demand songs and videos, queuing, repeat, unlimited skips, and Music Tuner. Premium adds music downloads, ad-free music, background play, and audio-only music playback. Premium does not necessarily remove podcast ads. Google notes that regional experiences vary and some features are unavailable to supervised accounts. See YouTube Music’s feature overview.
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1. Use Samples to discover music visually
Samples is a personalized stream of music-video segments in the YouTube Music app. It offers a quick way to preview unfamiliar tracks and artists without committing to a full song. From a sample, you can save a song to your library or a playlist, share it, open the full video, or explore related videos.
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Open the Samples tab in the app and browse the clips. Recommendations are personalized, and Google says they draw on music and podcasts you have played or watched while signed in. Samples is included in the ad-supported tier; it does not require Premium. For Google’s listed actions and customization details, see Customize your music & podcasts.
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2. Check for translated lyrics
If you want help understanding a song in another language, check whether YouTube Music offers translated lyrics for that track. Google lists translated lyrics as a customization option, but does not say that every song has lyrics or a translation. Treat it as a track-dependent feature, not a guaranteed setting.
Open the song’s lyrics view and look for a translation option when available. The cited Google guide does not specify a Premium requirement, so eligibility may depend on the track or app experience rather than a stated membership rule. See Google’s customization guide.
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- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
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3. Let Smart Downloads prepare music for offline listening
Smart Downloads automatically saves music based on your listening history, so you have a changing selection available when you are offline. It is a Premium feature for the mobile app, and the interface may differ by region and device.
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For setup and platform-specific details, consult Google’s download help and its iOS download guidance.
4. Keep music playing in the background
With YouTube Music Premium, music can continue while you use another app or turn off the screen. This suits listening during a commute, a workout, or any activity where you do not need the music player in front of you. Most podcasts can play in the background regardless of membership, according to Google, so the music and podcast rules are not identical.
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Start a music track, then switch apps or lock your screen to use background play. The feature overview lists background play for music among Premium benefits; availability may vary by region, account, or device. See Google’s overview of YouTube Music features.
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5. Choose audio-only playback when video is unnecessary
Premium members can play music without loading its video. Audio-only playback is useful when you want to avoid video or are trying to limit data use, though actual data consumption depends on the connection and playback conditions. Podcasts have separate audio-only availability, and the option may not appear for every item.
Best Value
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift cards can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, peel or gently scratch label and enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift card, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
Look for the audio-only playback option in the app while listening to a supported music item. Google lists it as a Premium music feature; it does not promise universal availability across content or devices. The feature overview describes the membership distinction, while device and app guidance covers supported experiences.
Quick Recap
Why a feature may be missing
- Region: Google says product experiences can differ by region, so an option available elsewhere may not appear for you.
- Account type: Some features are unavailable to supervised accounts.
- Device or integration: Third-party device experiences may not include every app feature. For example, Google says downloads and video playback are not available in Tesla’s YouTube Music app. Check Google’s other-app and device guidance and supported-device information.
- Content: Lyrics translations and audio-only podcast playback are not guaranteed for every item.
- Connection and storage: Smart Downloads needs storage and a periodic internet connection to refresh and maintain offline access.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
