Tired of Ads and Distractions? Turn YouTube into Your Personal Music Player
YouTube is a treasure trove of music, offering endless playlists and a seemingly endless library of artists. But, for those who simply want to enjoy music uninterrupted, its distractions – ads, related videos, and the constant urge to watch instead of just listen – can be a real drag. If you’re looking to transform YouTube into a seamless, clutter-free music experience, then read on! We’ve compiled a list of effective tools and techniques that will unlock the full musical potential of YouTube, letting you listen to your favorite tunes without the interruptions.
Web-Based Solutions
Youtify: The Seamless YouTube Music Player
Youtify reigns supreme when it comes to web-based solutions, offering a sleek and user-friendly interface. It seamlessly integrates with YouTube, Soundcloud, and Official.fm, allowing you to search and create playlists from across these platforms. You can even sync your YouTube playlists through your Google account, ensuring all your musical favorites are readily available. The videos appear in a small, unobtrusive window at the bottom left corner of the screen, allowing you to focus on the music while still having the option to watch the video if you choose.
It’s not all roses, though. Youtify has some limitations. Vevo videos, for example, are not playable, but the service cleverly plays an alternative video of the same song, preserving your musical flow. While Youtify offers most basic playback controls, it lacks a repeat button, meaning you can’t loop a favorite song or album. Additionally, the video quality settings within Youtify affect the sound quality, so opting for a lower video quality might result in a slightly compromised audio experience.
Alternatives to Youtify: Queuemusic and Tubalr
If Youtify doesn’t quite hit the mark, Queuemusic and Tubalr are excellent alternatives. Queuemusic, with its pixel-art aesthetic, appeals to those who appreciate a unique visual style. Tubalr, on the other hand, shines in its ability to search for music by genre, making it an ideal tool for discovering new sounds.
Chrome Extensions: Streamus for a Clutter-Free Experience
Streamus: Your Ultimate Chrome-Based YouTube Music Player
If you’re a Chrome user looking for an uncluttered, functional music player, Streamus is your go-to. This powerful extension offers a clean, minimalist interface that fits seamlessly into your browsing experience. With Streamus, you can:
- Create custom playlists: Curate your perfect soundtrack with complete freedom.
- Sync YouTube playlists: Import your existing playlists, ensuring your musical library is always at your fingertips.
- Search for songs: Effortlessly discover new tracks or revisit old favorites.
- Shuffle and repeat: Enjoy a randomized playlist or replay your chosen song again and again.
While minimalist in design, Streamus is loaded with features. Online radio, a hidden gem in its settings menu, helps you uncover new musical gems based on your listening history. However, Streamus lacks Google’s powerful "Did you mean…" feature, so misspelling search terms might lead to unexpected results.
Mobile Solutions: Android and iOS
**Android: PVSTAR+ and Floating YouTube Popup Video**
Chrome extensions are off-limits for smartphones, but Android users have a few excellent options for background audio. The standard YouTube app unfortunately stops playback the moment you switch apps, but thankfully, there are workarounds.
PVSTAR+, a free app specifically designed for seamless background playback, is a popular solution. Load your desired songs or playlists, and then simply press the home button. The playback controls remain accessible through the Android notification center, letting you manage your music with ease.
For those who prefer a more visually interactive experience, Floating YouTube Popup Video allows you to keep YouTube videos open as a floating window while you use other apps. While highly convenient, this may not be ideal for smaller screens or older phones due to potential lag.
iOS: The Safari Trick
Surprisingly, iOS offers a straightforward method for streaming YouTube music in the background. Open youtube.com in Safari, play your desired video, and press the home button. Then, open the Control Center (swipe upwards from the bottom of the screen) and tap the play button. Voila! You can now listen to music in the background, even while using other apps.
A Music-Filled Future
These tools and techniques unlock the full musical potential of YouTube, offering a seamless and distraction-free listening experience. Whether you prefer a dedicated web player, a chrome extension, or a mobile solution, you can now enjoy your favorite music without compromising your productivity or your peace of mind. If you have any other favorite ways to enjoy YouTube music, let us know in the comments below!
