We’re well into the streaming generation of music consumption, and music downloads are starting to feel a bit like DVDs in the age of Netflix. There’s just something reassuring about having your music right there on your device without having to worry about the vagaries of bad Internet connections or keeping yourself entertained on long-haul flights.
Actually, many people would rather have a music download app on their mobile phone to get their favorite music directly on their device. Here are our favorite music download apps for Android and iOS that won’t cost you a penny.
Also read: 7 of the Best Spotify Alternatives for Music Streaming
1. Audiomack
Available on: Android | iOS | Web
If you want to know that the music you’re downloading isn’t going to be infringing on any copyright laws and are also open to checking out emerging talent in the Hip-Hop, Electronic, and Reggae genres, give Audiomack a try.
This app gives a platform to artists without official distribution outlets. At the same time, it has a content-filtering system to make sure the stuff on there is of good quality. This project has already propelled hip-hop stars like T-Wayne, Fetty Wap, and Migos to record label deals. It gives you a chance to help find the next big star.
Users can also access and play tracks in Audiomack from their PC browser. However, the option to download tracks is offered only via the mobile apps. Furthermore, Audiomack also doubles as a music player, with the option to add local files to the app.
2. Fildo
Available on: Android
Fildo is not available through traditional means, such as the Google Play Store. You can only get it via the official site where it waits for you to download it in APK form. While it’s currently available only for Androids, its developers are also working on a Fildo Lite iOS version of the app.
Once installed, the app is quite simple to use. Just browse through the top hits via the app’s main screen. Alternatively, you can use the search function to look for specific songs or albums.
If Fildo manages to find the song or album in question, tap on the album artwork to open it. To download a song, press on the three-dot icon next to it and select “Download.” The app also allows you to create playlists and gives you access to lyrics. The songs you end up downloading will be saved to your device’s internal storage so that you can access them even without the app.
A downside of using Fildo is that it’s riddled with ads, so if you’re not comfortable with that, we suggest that you pick another option from this list.
Also read: How to Add Music to Your Instagram Story
3. Audials Play
Available on: Android | iOS | Windows | Web
Audials Play takes an interesting approach when it comes to downloading music to your device. The app is basically an aggregate of radio stations that allow you to download your tunes. On top of that, it includes a Podcast section.
With Audials Play, you can record entire broadcasts, and the app will then save the stream with automatic song separation. If you really want to listen to a particular artist, the app has a handy search feature that quickly identifies stations that are currently playing songs by that artist. From there, you can download your tune easily.
Audials Play also lets you import your own music so that you can listen to it without having to exit the app.
4. SONGily
Available on: Android
The free version of SONGily is ad-supporte, but offers access to a healthy stockpile of music, new and old, from artists both mainstream and obscure, from chart music to sea shanties. With each song you find, you’ll see options to both play and download the songs you listen to. The app also has a lyrics feature that redirects you to a SONGily web page where you can read the poetry behind the music.
While it’s possible to get SONGily from the Google Play Store, it’s an older version that lacks certain features, such as the ability to download videos. However, if you’re willing to use the APK option instead, you can take advantage of that feature plus improved search and the ability to start multiple downloads at once.
5. YMusic
Available on: Android
YMusic is one of the more elegant and official-looking music downloader apps and lets you play any YouTube video as an audio file, even letting you run it in the background on your phone.
The real kicker here is that you can also download videos as audio files. You have the option to download them in the M4A and MP3 formats, and it has a great library UI that subsequently lets you manage your music files just as you would in a music player app. Downloaded songs are saved to your phone so that you can easily access them via your favorite music player.
YMusic is currently working on an interface overhaul that you can test out by pressing on the hamburger menu in the upper-left corner and selecting “YMusic beta.”
Also read: What Song Is This? 10 Ways to Identify a Song Quickly
6. NewPipe
Available on: Android
NewPipe is another app that does the job when it comes to downloading music. It’s open source and constantly being improved. It features support for SoundCloud, MediaCCC, Bandcamp, and PeerTube downloads as well, which means you can use NewPipe to search these apps. It’s not limited to YouTube as some of the other apps are.
By default, the app opens as a YouTube frontend. Simply find the video you want to have on your device first, then click the download icon located underneath the clip and choose whether you want it downloaded as video or audio. NewPipe also gives you access to a bunch of settings for “Downloads.” For instance, it allows you to limit the download queue and choose where to download each and every song.
If you want to change over to SoundCloud or Bandcamp, tap the menu icon at the top-left corner, then the big red “NewPipe” icon at the top and select the desired service.
Also read: How to Add Two or More Songs to Your TikToks
7. TubeMate
Available on: Android
TubeMate is a specialized app that lets you download videos off YouTube. Naturally, the option to do so in audio format only is also offered.
If YouTube is your number one source for music, then this app may be the best option for you. However, if you crave some diversity, you may want to look toward one of the other options.
You can download TubeMate from the official site. (Google doesn’t allow this in the Play Store, presumably because it encroaches on YouTube.) When you try to download videos as audio (M4A or MP3), you’ll also get prompted to download MP3 Video Converter, which syncs with TubeMate to convert video to audio.
Downloading is easy. Just find the video you want, then press the floating red download button at the bottom of the page.
Also read: How to Create and Scan a Spotify Code to Share Songs
Frequently Asked Questions
I just downloaded an APK file but can't find it on my Android device. What should I do?
Finding downloaded files on your phone is not always super straightforward. If you’re having trouble, check out our guide to find downloaded files on any Android device.
Is it safe to install APK files on my device?
As this type of file installs apps on your system, it can pose a big security threat. Your phone alerts you when you’re about to install an APK file, and you need to grant it permission to do so. That’s why you’re required to ensure that the site you use for downloading APK files is reliable – sites like APKMirror and APKPure are a safe bet. It wouldn’t hurt, however, to double-check that the file you’re about to use is clean, so you may want to scan your APK files for viruses.
Are these services legal to use?
Yes and no. According to copyright law, obtaining or distributing a copyrighted work (such as an MP3 file) without the permission of the copyright holder is against the law. However, some music files are copyrighted while some are not. What’s more, even if some music files are copyrighted, the artists can choose to freely give away and put the songs up for an update on the Internet. So while you can find songs and albums from popular artists on some of the apps listed above, they are most likely copyrighted work, so the safest thing is to abstain from downloading them. Even so, that still leaves you with a lot of content you can access without any issues.
Image credit: lookstudio via Freepik All screenshots by Alexandra Arici
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