If you use an iPhone to listen to music or watch videos, you might wonder how the YouTube app differs from YouTube Music. Both apps are developed by Google but serve different purposes. Understanding their key differences can help you choose the right app for your needs and enhance your music management experience on your iPhone.
While the YouTube app is primarily designed for watching videos, including music videos, vlogs, and tutorials, YouTube Music is tailored specifically for music lovers. YouTube Music focuses on streaming music tracks, creating playlists, and providing personalized music recommendations. Recognizing these differences helps you avoid confusion and use each app more effectively.
Core Functionality of Each App
- YouTube App: This app allows you to watch videos of all kinds. You can listen to music videos, but it is optimized for video content. It also supports comments, sharing, and exploring trending videos. However, it doesn’t offer dedicated music features like offline playback or music library management.
- YouTube Music: Designed for music streaming, this app provides a vast music catalog, playlists, and personalized recommendations similar to other music streaming services. It supports offline downloads, allowing you to listen without internet. YouTube Music also organizes your music favorites and history, making song management easier on your iPhone.
Impact on Song Management on iPhone
If your main goal is to listen to and organize your favorite songs, YouTube Music is the better choice. It offers features such as creating playlists, saving favorites, and downloading songs for offline listening. The app syncs your preferences across devices, making it easy to manage your music library.
The YouTube app may still let you listen to music videos, but it does not provide dedicated song organization tools. It is more suitable for discovering new videos or watching music videos rather than managing your personal music collection. For example, if you want to build a playlist of your favorite songs and listen offline, YouTube Music is the suitable app.
Additional Tips
- Download both apps: If you enjoy watching music videos and listening to music offline, install both YouTube and YouTube Music on your iPhone. Use YouTube for browsing videos and YouTube Music for managing your songs.
- Avoid confusion: Opening a music video in YouTube app may not give you the same experience as listening in YouTube Music. Use the latter when focused on music playback and library management.
- Subscription options: Both apps offer free versions with ads. YouTube Music also has a premium plan that removes ads and provides offline listening features. Decide if a subscription is worthwhile for your music habits.
How to Find and Manage Your Songs on YouTube App
If you enjoy listening to music on YouTube and want to organize your favorite songs, knowing how to find and manage your songs on the YouTube app is essential. This guide will walk you through the steps to locate, organize, and efficiently manage your music collection on your iPhone.
- Open the YouTube App. Launch the YouTube app on your iPhone and ensure you’re signed into your Google account, which is necessary to access your playlists and saved songs.
- Access Your Library. Tap on the “Library” tab at the bottom right corner of the app. This section contains all your saved content, playlists, and history.
- Find Your Songs. Under the Library section, look for “Your videos” or “Your playlists.” Saved songs might be in playlists or under “Liked videos” if you’ve liked specific songs.
- Use the Search Function. If you can’t find a particular song, tap the magnifying glass icon at the top and type the song title or artist name. Your search results may include your saved videos, playlists, or relevant suggestions.
- Create a Playlist for Easy Access. To better organize your songs, create a playlist. Tap on a video you want to add, then tap the “Save” icon (a plus sign or bookmark). Select “Create new playlist,” give it a name, and set its privacy preferences. This makes all your favorite songs accessible in one place.
- Edit and Organize Your Playlist. To manage your playlists, go back to your Library and select the playlist. You can reorder songs, remove unwanted tracks, or add new ones for quick access.
- Download Songs for Offline Listening. If you have YouTube Premium, you can save songs for offline listening. Tap the download icon below a video to save it to your device. Remember, only Premium members can use this feature.
Following these steps allows you to easily find and manage your favorite songs on the YouTube app using your iPhone. Keep your playlists organized and enjoy quick access to your preferred music. If you encounter issues, verify you’re signed in and ensure your app is updated to the latest version for optimal features.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Songs from YouTube
- Open the YouTube App on your iPhone. Tap the icon to launch the app.
- Sign In to Your Account. If you aren’t signed in, tap the profile icon in the top right corner and log into your Google account.
- Access Your Library. Tap the Library icon at the bottom right. This contains your playlists, uploads, and saved videos.
- Navigate to Your Videos. Tap Your videos or Uploads to find songs you uploaded or saved.
- Select the Song to Delete. Find the song or video you wish to remove. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to it.
- Choose ‘Delete’. In the menu, tap Delete. Confirm when prompted to delete the video.
- Confirm Deletion. Tap OK or Delete. The song will be removed from your account and library.
If deleting multiple songs, repeat steps 5-7 for each. Remember that deletions are permanent unless backed up. After deleting, search for the song to verify it is gone. For playlist deletions, go to Your Channel, select Playlists, and remove songs individually or delete entire playlists via the Edit playlist option.
Always double-check before confirming deletion to avoid losing important content. Once deleted, recovery is difficult unless you have backups.
Removing Downloaded Videos and Offline Songs
To free up storage on your device or update your library of videos and songs, removing downloaded content is effective. This helps keep your device organized and prevents storage issues. The steps are simple and similar across most media apps.
- Open your media or streaming app. It could be YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or similar. Locate and open the app.
- Navigate to your library or downloads. Most apps have a “Library,” “Downloads,” or “Offline Content” section. Tap to view your saved media.
- Select items to remove. Long-press a song or video or use select options to choose items for deletion. Many apps allow selecting multiple files at once.
- Choose ‘Remove’ or ‘Delete’. Tap the trash icon or menu option to delete the selected items from your device.
- Confirm your action. Confirm the deletion prompt. The files will be removed, freeing up space.
Note that services like Spotify often keep files marked as offline available offline but do not delete the subscription or account. Regularly reviewing and deleting unnecessary downloads helps maintain storage and organization. For files stored outside the app, use caution and verify you’re deleting the correct data, preferably through the app’s interface or recognized file managers.
Troubleshooting Common Deletion Issues on iPhone
- Check Your Internet Connection. A stable connection is essential for updates. Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular if needed.
- Update the YouTube App. Open the App Store, tap your profile, and check for app updates. An updated app resolves many glitches.
- Force Quit and Restart YouTube. On Face ID iPhones, swipe up from the bottom and pause, then swipe up on YouTube. On older models, double-click Home, then swipe up. Reopen and verify deletions.
- Clear Cache by Reinstalling. Delete and reinstall the app to clear cached data if issues persist.
- Verify Your Account Settings. Make sure you’re signed into the correct Google account, as deletions may not reflect across different accounts.
- Check Storage Space. Ensure your device has enough free space under Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Disable Restrictions. Check under Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions that deleting content is allowed.
- Update iOS Software. Keep your iPhone updated via Settings > General > Software Update.
- Contact Support. For unresolved issues, reach out to Apple or Google support for assistance.
Following these steps helps resolve most common deletion problems on iPhone, especially related to apps and storage management. Regular updates and checks are recommended to prevent future issues.
Managing and Clearing Playlists and Library Content
Keeping your YouTube Music library organized improves your listening experience and reduces clutter. Over time, playlists can fill with songs you no longer listen to or outdated content. Here’s how to manage and clear your playlists and library effectively.
- Access Your Library and Playlists. Open YouTube Music and tap the “Library” tab. Here you’ll find your playlists, liked songs, albums, and other saved content.
- Manage Playlists. Select a playlist to edit or delete. Tap the three-dot menu next to its name, then choose “Edit.” You can add, remove, or reorder songs, or change the playlist name.
- Remove Songs from Playlists. Inside a playlist, find a song to remove. Tap the three-dot menu alongside the song and select “Remove from playlist.”
- Create New Playlists. Tap “New Playlist” or the “+” icon, name it, and add songs. Organize playlists by theme, genre, or activity for easier access.
- Clear Unwanted Library Content. To declutter, go to “Liked Songs” or other sections. Select items, then tap the three-dot menu and choose “Remove from liked songs” or “Remove from library.”
- Bulk Management and Troubleshooting. Use select options to manage multiple items at once. If issues arise, refresh the app, update, or reinstall to fix bugs.
- Additional Tips. Regularly review your playlists, remove outdated content, and back up favorites outside YouTube Music if needed.
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Can’t delete a playlist | App glitch or outdated version | Refresh, update, or restart your device |
| Songs reappear after removal | Sync or cache issues | Clear cache, relogin, or reinstall the app |
| Unable to select multiple songs for deletion | Platform limitations | Check for updates or manage items individually |
Tips for Keeping Your YouTube Music Library Organized
Maintaining an organized YouTube Music library on your iPhone makes finding your favorite songs easier. As your collection grows, clutter can be a problem. Here are some helpful tips to keep your library tidy and enjoyable:
- Create Playlists for Different Moods or Activities
Organize your music by creating playlists for specific moods or activities like workouts, relaxing evenings, or commuting. This saves time and makes it easier to find the perfect music quickly. To create a playlist, go to “Library,” tap “Playlists,” and hit the “+” icon. Name your playlist and add songs accordingly. - Use Folders or Tags (if supported)
Some apps or updates allow tagging or categorizing songs with labels such as genre, artist, or year. While YouTube Music may have limited tagging, consider using external tools or notes for better categorization. - Regularly Update and Clean Your Library
Periodically review your collection. Remove duplicates, old songs, or tracks you no longer enjoy. To delete a song, long-press or use the options menu, then select remove or delete. Regular maintenance keeps your library relevant and manageable. - Sort and Search Effectively
Use available sorting options to view your library alphabetically, by date added, or by artist. Use the search bar with specific keywords to quickly locate songs, especially as your collection expands. - Back Up Your Playlist Data. Use iCloud or other cloud services to back up your playlists and preferences. This safeguards your organization if you switch devices or encounter issues.
By applying these tips, your YouTube Music library on your iPhone stays organized, making your music listening more efficient and enjoyable. Regular upkeep ensures quick access to your favorite tunes whenever you want to listen.
