Is there a way to buy music on Android?
In today’s digital world, there are many ways to purchase and listen to music on Android devices. The rise of music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music has transformed how people access songs, with over 523 million music streaming subscribers globally as of 2021 (source). However, music downloads are still popular as well, with global revenue from digital music amounting to $9.8 billion in 2021 (source).
On Android devices specifically, users can buy music through the Google Play Store, Amazon Music, and other digital music stores. Downloading music files locally or using pre-installed music apps are also options. Streaming services allow instant access to millions of songs over the internet. This article will provide an overview of the main ways Android users can purchase, download, and stream music today.
Google Play Music
Google Play Music was Google’s music and podcast streaming service and online music locker. It allowed users to upload up to 50,000 of their own songs to the cloud for free and stream them anywhere. Google Play Music also offered the ability to purchase over 40 million tracks and curated playlists. Users could buy individual tracks or full albums to download and own (source).
In 2020, Google Play Music was replaced by YouTube Music. YouTube Music offers similar features, including the ability to upload your own music library. It also comes bundled with a YouTube Premium subscription, which provides ad-free access to YouTube along with background play and downloads. While you can no longer purchase music through Google Play itself, YouTube Music provides another option for buying and listening to music on Android (source).
Amazon Music
One option for buying music on Android devices is through the Amazon Music app and Amazon MP3 store. The Amazon MP3 store allows you to purchase digital music downloads directly on your Android device (Amazon Music for Android). Users can browse and search for albums and songs to buy, and purchases are instantly downloaded to the device.
Purchased music can then be stored and played through the Amazon Music app’s Cloud Player locker. This allows you to access and stream your music library from any device. Prime members can get discounted pricing on digital music purchases through Amazon as another benefit of membership (Amazon Music: Songs & Podcasts – Apps on Google Play). Overall, the Amazon Music app and MP3 store integration provides a convenient way for Android users to buy music directly on their device and build a cloud-based library.
Bandcamp
Bandcamp is a popular music platform for independent musicians and fans to share, buy, and download music. The Bandcamp Android app allows users to directly purchase albums and tracks from indie artists.1 Purchases made on the mobile app will appear in your collection and can be downloaded for offline listening. Many indie musicians and labels use Bandcamp as their primary store for releasing music. Fans enjoy Bandcamp for its direct artist support and ability to discover emerging talent across various genres like rock, electronic, hip hop, metal, etc. Overall, the Bandcamp app provides an easy way for Android users to buy music directly from independent artists.
Other Online Stores
In addition to Google Play and Amazon, there are other online stores where you can purchase music that will work with your Android device:
iTunes – Though iTunes is associated with Apple devices, you can also sync iTunes music purchases to your Android phone or tablet. Just enable iTunes file sharing on your Android.
eMusic – eMusic has a large catalog of independent music available for purchase. Downloads are in MP3 format.
7digital – 7digital sells music from both major and independent labels. Purchases are available as MP3 downloads.
Rdio – Rdio offers streaming subscriptions and individual track/album purchases. Downloads are in MP3 format.
P2P Apps
P2P or peer-to-peer file sharing allows users to directly share files between each other without going through a central server. While P2P technology itself is legal, it enables easy downloading and sharing of copyrighted content like music without permission. Some popular P2P apps for Android include Limewire, Frostwire, etc. These apps can provide access to a vast library of music and files, but often contain illegal and unlicensed content. Downloading copyrighted songs without permission is illegal, so caution is advised when using these apps.
The risks of illegal P2P file sharing include lawsuits, fines, and suspension of your internet service. Additionally, files downloaded from untrusted sources may contain malware. Instead of using P2P apps, consider the many legal and affordable options to purchase and stream music online.
Pre-Installed Apps
Many Android devices come with pre-installed music apps from the device manufacturer. These apps are designed specifically for that brand of phone and often have special integration features. Some popular pre-installed music apps include:
Samsung Music – Comes preloaded on Samsung Galaxy devices. Provides access to locally stored music files and streaming services. Has useful features like automatic playlist creation based on mood. Can also identify songs using the device microphone.
LG Music – Default music player on LG phones. Automatically scans device storage for audio files and builds a music library. Support for playlists, equalizer, audio effects, and Chromecast streaming.
Sony Music – Found on Sony Xperia phones. Plays local music files and streams from online services. Offers customizable themes and visualizations. Has built-in access to Sony’s music store for purchasing tracks.
These pre-installed apps provide a seamless music experience right out of the box for users of that phone brand. While light on features compared to advanced third party apps, they offer convenience and platform integration.
Local Files
One of the easiest ways to get music onto your Android device is by loading audio files directly from your computer. You can transfer music files using a USB cable, cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive, or apps that access local network folders.
To load music using a USB cable, first connect your Android device to your computer. Your device should show up in your computer’s file explorer as a drive. Simply drag and drop audio files from your computer onto your Android device’s storage. The files will copy over. You can then access them using your Android’s music player apps like Google Play Music.
You can also upload audio files to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox from your computer. Then on your Android device, use the cloud storage app to download the files. They will save to your local storage and can be opened in any music app.
Streaming Services
Streaming services allow you to listen to music on your Android device without having to purchase and download songs or albums individually. Some of the most popular streaming platforms include:
Spotify – Spotify has a massive music library and offers both free ad-supported and paid premium subscription options. The premium version provides higher quality audio, offline listening, and no ads.
Pandora – Pandora’s streaming radio provides personalized stations based on artists or songs you like. The free version has ads while Pandora Plus offers an ad-free experience.
SoundCloud – Known for hosting user-generated audio content, SoundCloud also offers a premium subscription for ad-free listening to its large catalog of music.
Other popular streaming options like Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal are also available for Android. Streaming provides unlimited on-demand music at a monthly subscription cost, which can be more affordable than purchasing individual albums or songs.
Conclusion
There are many great options for buying and listening to music on Android devices. Top options include using the pre-installed Google Play Music app, downloading additional apps like Amazon Music or Bandcamp, streaming from services like Spotify or Pandora, or transferring local music files to your device.
The music streaming industry is forecast to grow substantially in the coming years. According to Statista, the number of Spotify users in the US alone is predicted to reach over 100 million by 2025. And AppAnnie forecasts that revenue from app stores worldwide will reach $270 billion by 2025, driven heavily by entertainment apps like music streaming services. So Android users will continue to have more and more options for accessing music going forward.