How do you share music between Android phones?

Sharing music between Android devices allows users to play the same songs, playlists, and streaming music on multiple phones simultaneously. This enables Android users to listen and enjoy music together in a group setting, like at a party or while traveling, without having to connect separate headphones for each device.

Music sharing on Android is useful for several reasons. Friends can take turns DJing directly from their phones, queuing up songs to play through a shared Bluetooth speaker without disconnecting and reconnecting devices. Music sharing also allows passengers in a car to contribute songs for a road trip playlist. Additionally, it enables families and roommates to play music on a wireless speaker system throughout the house from different rooms and floors.

Transferring Music Files

One of the easiest ways to share music between Android devices is by transferring the files directly between the two phones. This can be done either with a cable or via Bluetooth.

To transfer music using a cable, first connect the two Android phones using a USB cable. On the phone containing the music files, open the Files app and navigate to the folder where your music is stored (often in a folder called Music or Audio). Select the songs you want to transfer. Then tap the Share icon, choose Bluetooth and select the receiving device. The music files will begin transferring over.

Bluetooth can also be used without a cable. On the sending device, open the Files app and select the music files. Tap Share then Bluetooth. Choose the receiving device. Accept the file transfer request on that device and the music will be sent over. This allows you to share songs wirelessly between Android phones (source).

The advantage of using a cable or Bluetooth is that no third-party apps or services are required. The transfer is direct, simple and free. The only limitation is that transfer speeds may be slower compared to cloud services or dedicated music sharing apps.

Using a Cloud Service

One simple way to share music between Android devices is by using a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. These services allow you to upload music files from one device, which can then be accessed by any other devices logged into the same account.

Services like Dropbox offer dedicated music storage plans with features like unlimited uploads and music streaming. According to Cloudwards, Dropbox provides 2TB of storage for $9.99/month, making it one of the top choices for storing a music library.

Another popular option is Google Play Music, which combines music locker storage with a built-in player and streaming options. Uploaded music can be accessed through the Google Play Music app on any Android device logged into the same Google account.

The advantage of using a cloud locker is that it centralizes your music collection online, avoiding the need to manually transfer files or sync playlists between devices. Premium plans also include useful music management features and the ability to stream songs on-demand.

Sharing via Messaging Apps

One easy way to share songs between Android devices is by sending them directly through messaging apps. Most Android messaging apps like Messages, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc. allow you to attach audio files and send them to your contacts.

To send a song through your messaging app on Android:

1. Open your messaging app and select the contact you want to share the song with.
2. Tap the attach button (usually a paperclip or “+” icon).
3. Select “Audio” or “Voice message.”
4. Browse and select the song file you want to send.
5. Tap send.

The recipient will receive the song file which they can save and listen to directly in the messaging app. This provides a quick and easy way to get music files to your friends and family.

One limitation is that messaging apps often compress audio files, so the quality may decrease slightly. The file size may also be limited, making it difficult to send longer songs. However, for quickly sharing short clips or songs, using a messaging app can be very convenient.

Using a Music Sharing App

There are apps designed specifically for sharing music between Android devices. These apps provide features to easily send songs, create collaborative playlists, and discover new music from friends. Popular options include:

Cymbal – Allows you to share songs and playlists. Friends can listen and add music. Great for music discovery.

Earbits – Focused on up-and-coming artists. Share songs and get recommendations based on listening history.

Soundwave – See what friends are listening to in real-time and trade songs. Playlist collaboration and chatting features.

MusicDrop – Fast sharing through drag and drop. Automatically detects songs from other apps. Recommendations engine.

Using a dedicated music sharing app provides easy social features to discover, discuss, and exchange music with friends and contacts. They cater to music lovers who want to share their passion.

Creating Playlists

Sharing playlists between Android devices allows you to easily transfer a curated selection of songs. One way to share playlists is to use a music streaming service like Spotify, which lets you collaborate on public or private playlists that sync across devices. Simply create a playlist in the Spotify app on one device, then find that playlist on the other device after logging into the same Spotify account. You can also share playlists on services like YouTube Music.

Another option is to use an app designed for playlist sharing between Android devices. For example, the app Playlist Music Transfer lets you quickly send playlists from one device to another over WiFi. It automatically matches songs and transfers playlists between different music apps. Some music player apps like Retro Music Player also have built-in playlist sharing options.

If your devices are on the same WiFi network, you may also be able to access and play media files on one device from the other device using apps like Plex or BubbleUPnP. This allows you to stream music from playlists on one device rather than copying files.

Sharing Streaming Services

Streaming services like Spotify allow users to share subscriptions with family members. Spotify’s Premium Family plan lets up to 6 people living at the same address share one subscription. Each family member gets their own individual Premium account with features like ad-free listening, on-demand playback, and offline listening.

To set up Spotify Premium Family, first the plan owner signs up and invites family members to join. Family members can accept the invite through their existing Spotify account or create a new one. Once joined, each member manages their own account with their own playlists, saved music, and recommendations – everything is kept separate. The family owner pays for the plan and can add or remove members at any time.

According to Spotify’s support page, family members do not have to use the same type of device. So Android and iOS users can share a Family plan without issues. As long as everyone shares the same home address, they can take advantage of the family pricing and individual accounts. This makes it easy and affordable to share streaming music within a household.

QR Codes

QR codes provide a fast and easy way to share songs between Android devices. By generating a QR code that links to an audio file or music streaming service, you can instantly transfer a song by having someone scan the code with their phone’s camera.

To share a specific song file, first upload it to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Then create a QR code using a free online generator that links directly to the file URL. When scanned, the recipient’s phone will open the file and immediately begin playing the song.

You can also create QR codes that open a song within a music streaming app. For example, generate a Spotify code for a track and anyone who scans it will launch the Spotify app and start playing that song. Services like YouTube, SoundCloud, and Apple Music also support QR codes to quickly share tracks.

QR codes provide a seamless way to share songs between devices without needing cables or manually sending files. Simply generate the code, let the recipient scan it, and the selected tune will instantly start playing on their phone.

NFC Sharing

Android phones from many manufacturers including Samsung and LG support sharing files and content via NFC (near field communication). This allows you to tap two NFC-enabled Android phones together to quickly transfer files like photos, videos, and music.

To use NFC sharing on Android, open the file or content you want to send on one device, such as a song or music playlist. Make sure NFC is enabled on both devices by checking in Settings. Bring the two devices back-to-back so the NFC chips on each phone touch. After a moment, you should hear a tone and see a notification that the file transfer was successful.

According to TCL, tapping the backs of two NFC-enabled Android devices allows instant sharing of webpages, YouTube videos, contacts, and more. This provides a fast, cable-free way to share music files and playlists between Android phones.

Conclusion

Sharing music between Android devices has never been easier thanks to various wireless options like cloud storage, messaging apps, music sharing apps, playlists, and streaming services. The best practices for music sharing on Android include:

• Using cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox to upload music and share access.
• Sending songs through messaging apps like WhatsApp if sharing small files.
• Installing dedicated music sharing apps to quickly transfer playlists.
• Making collaborative playlists on streaming apps like Spotify that friends can join.
• Enabling Nearby Share or NFC to wirelessly send files when devices are close.
• Creating QR codes or using the Files app to share folders when on the same WiFi.

The key is picking the right method for your needs, whether seamlessly sharing an entire music library or just sending a song or two. With all the options available, Android users can easily enjoy and exchange their favorite tunes.