Finding free music on your phone is easier than ever thanks to the many streaming services and apps available. While paid subscriptions like Spotify Premium and Apple Music provide access to millions of songs, you can still enjoy a lot of music for free if you know where to look.
Use Free Streaming Services
Many popular music streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and SoundCloud offer free tiers that allow you to listen to music on-demand with advertising between songs. While these free versions limit advanced features like unlimited skips or offline listening, they provide a great way to legally access a huge library of music at no cost. Some key free streaming services include:
- Spotify Free: Access Spotify’s entire music catalog on mobile or desktop with limited skips and shuffle-only playback.
- Pandora Radio: Create customizable radio stations based on your favorite artists, songs or genres.
- SoundCloud: Stream a diverse collection of established and emerging artists with a focus on electronic music and indie artists.
- YouTube Music: Use YouTube’s massive catalog of official music videos and songs to create playlists.
While you can’t save music offline or have unlimited on-demand playback, free streaming gives you access to just about any artist or album you want without spending a dime. Just be prepared to listen to some ads!
Use Free Radio Apps
If you prefer a more radio-style listening experience, apps like iHeartRadio, TuneIn Radio, and Radio Garden give you access to thousands of FM radio stations worldwide. You can browse by location and genre to find stations playing anything from top 40 hits to niche indie music. Since these apps stream live radio, you’ll hear DJ commentary and some ads, but you can continuously listen to music without having to build playlists or skip songs. Radio apps are great for passive listening and discovering new music.
Try Music Distribution Apps
Apps like DatPiff, DJ City, and Soundclick offer free music distributed directly from unsigned artists and producers. You can find a lot of hip hop, EDM, and remixes from up-and-coming musicians looking to share their work. While selection can be more limited compared to large streaming services, music distribution apps provide a platform for lesser-known talent to share their music. Follow artists you like to stay updated on their newest releases.
Use Video Streaming Apps
Apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Triller let you stream music through viral videos, short-form content, and remixes. While not pure music apps, you can discover and listen to both trending songs and hidden gems for free. Use apps like TikTok to identify songs by searching lyrics or audio clips, or browse YouTube for your favorite artist’s discography of music videos. The social engagement and video content offer an enjoyable way to find new tunes.
Download Free Music Files
Some artists allow you to download songs for free directly from their website or third party services like Bandcamp. While selection is limited compared to streaming services, you can potentially download MP3 files to keep forever with no subscription required. Just be sure the music is licensed for free download to avoid piracy. Check sites like Bandcamp, Spinrilla, and DatPiff to find free tracks and mixtapes from independent rappers and producers.
Use Pre-Installed Apps
Smartphone manufacturers often pre-install basic music apps. For example, Samsung Galaxy phones come with apps like Samsung Music and Google Play Music. Similarly, Apple iPhones have Apple Music, Podcasts, and Radio pre-installed. While music selection is limited compared to full streaming services, pre-installed apps provide a free, ready-to-use option powered by your device ecosystem. The apps integrate well with your smartphone’s interface and often don’t contain ads.
Listen to Podcasts and Audiobooks
For spoken audio content, smartphone apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, LibriVox, Spotify, and Stitcher offer a massive selection of free podcasts, audiobooks, and more. Podcasts range from music commentary to original audio dramas. Meanwhile audiobook apps like LibriVox have free, public domain audiobooks read by volunteers. Listening to speech content doesn’t provide actual songs, but makes for great entertainment during commutes, chores, workouts, or travels.
Use Music Identification Apps
Apps like Shazam and SoundHound can identify music playing around you within seconds. Simply open the app and let your phone listen to a song. Music identification apps will tell you the artist, song title, and other info, and often link to streaming services so you can save identified songs. This lets you expand your music library by learning the name of catchy songs you hear in public places or on the radio. Some apps can even identify songs based on humming!
Get Free Downloads from Your Library
Public libraries often allow you to digitally borrow and download free music. Services like Freegal Music provide library patrons access to around 15 million songs. All you need is an active library membership. While selection varies by library system, this route offers legal MP3 downloads you can keep and attach to devices. Public libraries also lend physical CDs and vinyl records if you want access to more niche genres and albums.
Search Free Music Download Sites
Use search engines to find legal and licensed platforms for free music. For example, search “free music archive” to discover sites like Free Music Archive, a platform offering creative commons music to download for free or donation. Similarly, search “[genre] free downloads” replacing genre with the style you want to find specialized free music sites. Always ensure sites offer legally licensed MP3s to avoid piracy.
Get Music from Artists Directly
Often independent musicians just starting out offer free song downloads on their website or social media profiles to gain new fans. Following lesser known artists can score you free permanent downloads in exchange for artist promotion. Search platforms like YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp to discover new talent offering legal free song downloads in your preferred genres.
Use Rewards Programs
Loyalty and rewards programs from brands like Burger King, Jeep, Starbucks, and more sometimes offer free song downloads as prizes. For example, Starbucks has offered “Pick of the Week” cards with redeemable song codes. Brands also email free music from sponsored artists to email newsletter subscribers. While not a steady source, rewards programs distribute legal free downloads across genres if you don’t mind promoting brands.
Find Free Music Blogs
Music blogs and sites like Earmilk, The Music Ninja, and Indie Shuffle share legal free downloads curated by bloggers and indie tastemakers. These sites offer MP3 downloads and streaming previews of full albums and tracks across electronic, indie, hip hop, and other genres. Following free music blogs can help you find notable up-and-coming artists and expand your music library for zero cost.
Use Discount Promo Codes
Although not permanently free, you can temporarily access paid music services like Spotify Premium and Pandora Plus at no cost with trial offers and discount promo codes. For example, Spotify provides first-time users 1 month free, and various sponsored promotions provide several months of Premium access. Similarly, Pandora occasionally offers 3 free months with partner promotions. Search for “[service] promo code” and “[service] free trial” frequently to find deals.
Take Advantage of Referral Bonuses
Paid streaming services often reward existing users with free trial extensions when referring friends. Taking advantage of referral programs allows you to chain free trials back-to-back by getting referred, referring friends in return, earning more referral months, and repeating the process. Referrals can provide months of free premium access if you have enough friends interested in starting new music services.
Listen to FM Radio
Don’t forget your smartphone has an FM radio receiver built-in. Apps like NextRadio and FM Radio allow listening to local FM stations free. Radio offers passive music discovery and artist exposure. While FM radio lacks on-demand playback, it provides free music from broadcast stations in your area without using data. Look for the FM radio app pre-installed on Android devices.
Use Ad-Supported Music Apps
Specialized apps like Free Music & Radio Pro by Audials play totally free ad-supported music. By listening to audio and video ads between songs, you can enjoy unlimited on-demand music without paid subscriptions or logins. While ads are more intrusive, the music access is truly free. Give ad-supported music apps a try if you want unlimited on-demand playback at no cost.
Find Free Music on Social Media
Follow your favorite record labels, artists, and curators on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to find free music. Music companies promote new releases and surfaced artists by sharing free songs and exclusives on their official accounts. Meanwhile, artists post snippets and previews directly on their social media pages. Following relevant accounts ensures you never miss out on free music drops.
Check Review Copy Promotions
Music bloggers and critics receive free advance copy downloads of albums before release in exchange for reviews. Around album launches, artists and labels provide time-limited review copy downloads to the public for promotional buzz. Search Twitter, Facebook, band websites, and music blogs for review copy links during major album release cycles to access free early downloads.
Scan Discount Bins at Music Stores
Brick and mortar music stores often have bargain bins and sections full of used CDs and records discounted to just a few dollars. Digging through discount physical media at places like FYE, vintage record shops, and Half Price Books can uncover gems both old and new for nearly free. This gives you physical copies to rip MP3s from if you still want permanent ownership.
Conclusion
With the many options above, you can build an extensive music library with just your smartphone and some resourcefulness. Take advantage of free streaming trials, free downloads from indie artists, access sponsored by public libraries, and other routes to enjoy free music legally. Mix paid subscription trials into the equation, and you may never have to pay full price for premium streaming again.