Improved Multi-Device Music Playback on YouTube Music: Catching Up to Spotify?

The latest update to YouTube Music introduces a long-awaited feature: the ability to resume playback across multiple devices. However, this improvement doesn’t fully match the streamlined experience offered by Spotify.

This new functionality includes progress indicators for frequently played tracks within the Speed Dial. Users can now resume listening to a song exactly where they left off on another device.

My personal experience with music streaming services during work highlights the advantages of seamless cross-device playback. The ease of switching between devices without interruption is a significant benefit, a feature that was previously absent in YouTube Music. This has changed recently.

Recent updates to the YouTube Music app now enable continuous music playback across different devices. This means starting a song on one device, such as a tablet, and continuing precisely from that point on another, like a smartphone.

After installing the most current YouTube Music app (version 8.26.51), progress bars will appear for frequently accessed songs or playlists in Speed Dial. For those unfamiliar, Speed Dial shows frequently played tracks and playlists. Selecting a song reveals a “Resume” button, enabling the user to pick up where they left off.

YouTube Music: A Contender in the Music Streaming Market

YouTube Music, Google’s primary music streaming platform, competes directly with industry leaders like Spotify and Apple Music.

YouTube Music Needs Further Development

While the improved cross-device playback is a positive step, YouTube Music should integrate functionality similar to Spotify Connect.

Although YouTube Music now allows playback across devices, it lacks the seamlessness of Spotify’s implementation. Spotify allows instantaneous resumption of playback on other devices without additional button presses; the app automatically recognizes the previous track.

Spotify also provides the convenient Spotify Connect feature, enabling remote control of playback from another device. For example, song selection and volume adjustments can be managed from a phone while playing music on a computer. This is particularly useful for gamers who wish to avoid interrupting gameplay to change music.

If YouTube Music matches Spotify’s seamless cross-device playback and includes a feature similar to Spotify Connect, it would become a more compelling alternative. The inclusion of this resume playback feature is a promising beginning.