YouTube Music’s free tier works for on-demand listening if you can tolerate ads and keep the app in the foreground. It includes songs, music videos, podcasts, queueing, repeat and unlimited skips. It does not officially include background music playback, audio-only music or music downloads. The once-common Android mobile-browser workaround is no longer a reliable option: Google confirmed the change, as reported on February 3, 2026.
What YouTube Music includes for free
YouTube Music Help lists on-demand playback of songs, music videos and podcasts among the ad-supported features. Queueing, repeat and unlimited skips are also included. That makes the free tier practical for listening while the app is open, provided ads and the service’s other free-tier limits suit you. YouTube Music’s feature overview notes that experiences can vary in select countries and regions.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What free listening does not provide
YouTube Music lists background music playback, audio-only music playback and music downloads as Premium benefits, rather than features of the ad-supported tier. In practice, free listening is a poor fit if you regularly want to lock your screen, switch to another app without interrupting music, stream without music video, or listen offline.
| Need | Ad-supported YouTube Music | Paid-feature boundary or exception |
|---|---|---|
| On-demand songs, music videos and podcasts | Included | Premium includes the listed ad-supported features too. YouTube Music Help |
| Queue, repeat and unlimited skips | Included | Listed as ad-supported features by YouTube Music Help. |
| Music in the background or with the screen off | Not listed as a free music feature | Listed as a Music Premium benefit by YouTube Music Help and YouTube’s Premium benefits page. |
| Audio-only music playback | Not listed as a free feature | Listed as a Music Premium benefit by YouTube Music Help. |
| Music downloads | Not listed as a free feature | Listed as a Music Premium benefit by YouTube Music Help and the Premium benefits page. |
| Podcast background playback | Most podcasts may play in the background without membership | This is a podcast exception, not a general allowance for music. YouTube Music Help |
Do Android browser workarounds still play music in the background?
Do not count on them. Android Central reported on February 3, 2026, that Google confirmed non-Premium users could no longer get background playback through mobile browsers. Older tips involving a mobile browser should not be treated as a currently reliable way to keep YouTube Music playing after you switch apps or turn off the screen. Android Central’s report on the change covers that dated confirmation.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
There is no official Android setting in the cited YouTube Music guidance that turns on free background music playback, audio-only music or music downloads. Changing battery, notification or browser settings should not be presented as a way to bypass the membership requirement.
Does Premium Lite unlock YouTube Music background play?
No. In its February 24, 2026 announcement, YouTube said background play and downloads were being added to Premium Lite for most videos where Lite is available. The same announcement distinguishes music content and YouTube Music Premium: YouTube said full YouTube Premium remains the option for those benefits, including music. YouTube’s Premium Lite announcement is explicit about that boundary.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How to decide whether free is enough
- Free may suit you if you listen on demand with the app open, accept ads and do not need music downloads or audio-only playback.
- Choose a paid music entitlement if background listening, screen-off playback, audio-only music or offline music is essential. YouTube lists these as Premium benefits; check the official plan details for availability in your region.
- For podcasts, check the individual show because YouTube says most podcasts can play in the background regardless of membership.
- Keep regional variation in mind: YouTube Music Help warns that users in select countries or regions may see a different product experience.
What about unofficial Android apps?
SMusic’s GitHub project page advertises background playback and downloads, and describes the app as an independent, unofficial client using YouTube Music’s public web API. Its author says it is not distributed through Google Play. Those are developer claims, not an official YouTube workaround or independently verified guarantees of capability, safety, reliability or policy compliance. SMusic’s project page is the source for its own description; use caution rather than treating it as equivalent to the official app or a supported membership feature.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
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.
