YouTube Music web app rolling out offline downloads support
YouTube Music web app gains offline download capability for select users. Users can download albums, singles, and playlists for offline playback. A new "Downloads" tab allows browsing downloaded content.
The YouTube Music web app is rolling out offline download functionality to select users. This feature allows users to download albums, singles, and playlists for playback without an internet connection.
A download button is now present on album and single pages, located between "Save to library" and the overflow menu. During download, a progress indicator appears in the bottom-left corner. Downloaded content is accessible through a new "Downloads" tab within the Library page, with filters for browsing by playlists, podcasts, songs, and albums.
When offline, a banner below the Now Playing bar informs users of the lack of internet connection. Similar to other streaming services, downloads on YouTube Music require an internet connection at least once every 30 days to maintain access.
This addition addresses the absence of dedicated YouTube Music desktop applications. While Chromebooks previously offered a workaround through the YTM Android app, the web-based download function provides a more streamlined experience.
Initial reports suggest this feature is in limited rollout, and its availability may vary. Whether a YouTube Premium subscription is necessary for downloading and whether podcast downloads are included remain unclear. Additionally, the specific browser compatibility for this feature is yet to be confirmed.
