Move Over, Google Play Music — YouTube Music Is Now the Preinstalled Default on Android 10 Devices

Photo Credit: YouTube Music

Google recently announced that YouTube Music will now come preinstalled on all Android 10 devices, making it the default music player for most Android users. This move aims to remove Google Play Music as the default on Android, and new device owners will no longer need to download the app from the Google Play Store. However, for those who prefer GPM, they can still download it from the Play Store. This is part of Google’s ongoing push to make YouTube Music the new default, and they want their new music app to stand against Spotify and Apple Music.

While this is an interesting development, is YouTube Music really ready to take on the competition? The app’s unfocused approach to app development doesn’t inspire confidence. The subscription service locks away basic features like background play, and Google hasn’t enabled users to upload their own songs yet. This is one critical difference between GPM and the YouTube Music app, and many die-hard fans refuse to switch until that feature is enabled. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s coming any time soon, despite The Verge asking after the function for years now and always getting the “working on it” excuse.

Additionally, while Spotify and Apple Music are consistently adding new features and content, YouTube Music seems to be lagging behind. Both Spotify and Apple Music have exclusive content and originals worth paying for, but YouTube Music seems to be lacking in this area. In contrast, many users have yet to see a YouTube Original that’s worth watching. These days, you can’t open the regular YouTube app without an invitation to spend money on YouTube Premium or to download YouTube Music and experience the difference. It’s become annoying enough that some people have started to avoid YouTube altogether.

Another issue that Google has is its quick abandonment of its apps. For example, if you ask any Android user how they feel about messaging on Android, they’ll likely have a long story to put you to sleep. While Google is trying to get the world to adopt its third music app, Spotify and Apple Music continue to dominate the market with their consistent updates and user-friendly features. Google Play Music, the app that YouTube Music is replacing, was a great music app with a clean user interface and functionality that many users loved. However, Google’s decision to replace it with YouTube Music leaves many users wondering if Google is really focused on developing a quality music app or if they’re just trying to keep up with their competitors.

In conclusion, Google’s decision to preinstall YouTube Music on all Android 10 devices is a bold move that could either make or break the app. While it may help to increase the app’s user base, the app’s lack of features and inconsistent updates may turn users away. Google needs to focus on user experience and consistently update the app to compete with Spotify and Apple Music, which continue to dominate the market. Until then, many users may stick with Google Play Music or switch to another music app altogether.