To use YouTube Music on Android Auto, sign in to the YouTube Music app on your phone, then open the music tab in Android Auto and choose YouTube Music. The catch is that YouTube Music Help lists Android Auto and Apple CarPlay under its YouTube Music Premium members section: podcasts work in the car for everyone, but music in the car needs Premium.
That Premium rule explains most "YouTube Music won't work in my car" complaints. If you're on the free plan, expect podcasts to work in the car and music not to, because YouTube lists the car apps as Premium extras. Here's the setup for each car system YouTube lists, and the fix it gives for errors.
How to set up YouTube Music on Android Auto
- Make sure you're signed in to the YouTube Music app on your phone.
- Connect your phone to the car and open Android Auto.
- Go to the music tab in Android Auto.
- Choose YouTube Music.
If you see an error, YouTube Music Help's fix is simple: check you're signed in to the YouTube Music app, then open YouTube Music in Android Auto again. It's the same first step Spotify users are told to check in Spotify not showing on Android Auto.
How to set up YouTube Music on Apple CarPlay
- Check you're in a country or region where YouTube Music Premium is available.
- Sign in to the YouTube Music app on your iPhone.
- Open YouTube Music on your CarPlay screen.
- Use the navigation bar at the top to browse, or pick from the Recommended, Library and Downloads tabs.
As with Android Auto, YouTube says you can listen to podcasts on CarPlay regardless of your membership status.
Every car option YouTube Music lists
| Car system | How it works | Notes from YouTube Music Help |
|---|---|---|
| Android Auto | Music tab, then YouTube Music | Sign in to the phone app first; podcasts free |
| Apple CarPlay | Open YouTube Music on the CarPlay screen | Must be in a country with YouTube Music Premium; podcasts free |
| Tesla | Open YouTube Music from the App Launcher, sign in with the QR code or one-time code | No downloading or video playback in the car |
| Google Maps | Set YouTube Music as your default music service | Control music from a widget without leaving navigation |
| Waze | Turn on audio controls and choose YouTube Music | Both apps need to be on your phone |
| BMW and MINI | Listed with their own troubleshooting tips | Check the car maker's instructions |
Using YouTube Music with Google Maps
If you navigate with Google Maps on Android, you can set YouTube Music as your default music service. Once it's set up, a YouTube Music icon appears on the navigation screen. Tap it to open a small widget where you can play, skip or pause, choose from a set of playlists, or jump into the full app, all without leaving your route.
YouTube Music in a Tesla
Tesla gets its own section in YouTube Music Help. Open YouTube Music from the App Launcher at the bottom of the screen, sign in using the QR code or one-time code, and use the tabs at the top to search or open your library. You can play music and podcasts on demand and see your playlists, but downloading and video playback aren't available in the car. If songs go missing from a playlist, YouTube points to an unstable connection or unsupported formats, and suggests Tesla Premium Connectivity for a better experience.
Why it works on your phone but not in the car
Run through these in order:
- Are you on Premium? Free YouTube Music includes on-demand songs on your phone, but the car integrations sit in the Premium members section of YouTube Music Help.
- Are you signed in? This is the fix YouTube gives for both Android Auto and CarPlay errors.
- Is it the right account? If Premium is on a family plan or a different Google account, the phone app must be signed in to that account.
- Is Premium available where you are? CarPlay needs a country or region where YouTube Music Premium is sold.
If Premium is the gap, the plan prices are in the YouTube Music Premium price breakdown.
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My verdict
If you want YouTube Music in the car, budget for Premium. Free users can still play podcasts on Android Auto and CarPlay, which is handy, but the music experience in the car is a Premium feature. Before you blame the car, sign out and back in to the YouTube Music app with the account that pays, then reconnect. That clears most errors. And if you're only after podcasts on the drive, the free version covers you.
Frequently asked questions
Does YouTube Music work on Android Auto for free?
Podcasts do. YouTube Music Help lists Android Auto under its Premium members section and says podcasts work on Android Auto regardless of membership status.
Why is YouTube Music not working on Android Auto?
YouTube Music Help says to make sure you're signed in to the YouTube Music app on your phone, then open YouTube Music in Android Auto again. Check that the account has Premium.
Does YouTube Music work with Apple CarPlay?
Yes. Sign in to the YouTube Music app and open it on the CarPlay screen. You need to be in a country where YouTube Music Premium is available.
Can you download YouTube Music in a Tesla?
No. YouTube Music Help says downloading and video playback aren't available in YouTube Music on a Tesla.
