YouTube Music appears to be readying a feature that proved a big draw for Google Play Music fans – the ability to upload your own music collection to the cloud. Google has published a new support document explaining how music uploads will work in YouTube Music.

YouTube Music 2
If you're on a computer you'll be able to add your personal music library either by dragging files to any surface on music.youtube.com, or by clicking on your profile picture and selecting "Upload music." The feature supports FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG and WMA files. The support document notes that music uploads cannot be completed in the YouTube Music mobile app, uploads will not influence the user's music recommendations in YouTube Music, and uploads stay private.

To view or manage uploaded music, you can tap (in the app) or click "Uploads" in the Albums section of the library. The big bonus here is that uploaded songs can be played in the background, ad-free and offline - even if you're not a YouTube Music Premium subscriber. It's basically the same feature Google Play Music offered, so that's good news for anyone who wants to switch to Google's new music streaming service.

Google is asking users looking to transfer their entire Google Play Music library to "stay tuned" for a seamless way to do so. "Nothing is changing with Google Play Music right now," says the document. "When we do replace Google Play Music with YouTube Music, we'll be sure to give you plenty of advance notice."

Top Rated Comments

Razeus Avatar
78 months ago

I’d like to point out that Apple Music has always had this as well. It’s quite convenient.
But Apple Music destroys your tags and album artwork in doing so. That's enough for me to have cancelled their service.

Plus this sounds like I can do this for free with Youtube. Another win.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DEMinSoCAL Avatar
78 months ago

I’d like to point out that Apple Music has always had this as well. It’s quite convenient.
Except this says that you don't need to be a Premium subscriber to upload and access your music collection. How would you do this with a non-paid Apple Music subscription? (is there even such a thing?)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B/D Avatar
78 months ago
@progx

You don't need to keep iTunes Match anymore (since July 2016 ('https://www.loopinsight.com/2016/07/18/apple-begins-rolling-out-itunes-match-with-audio-fingerprint-to-apple-music-subscribers/?utm_source=loopinsight.com&utm_campaign=loopinsight.com&utm_medium=referral')) if you subscribe to Apple Music. All features are included, and the matching algorithm now works with the iTunes Store database (not the Apple Music catalogue), so, your music is DRM free if you download it back from the cloud on any device, and you can keep the matched copies if you cancel Apple Music.

Previously, the matching algorithm worked with the Apple Music DB, and was identifying songs by metadata only (now it's using acoustic fingerprint). Thus, people were having DRM, metadata and artwork issues, which is not the case anymore.

Excuse my English.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
progx Avatar
78 months ago
Apple has had this service for quite some time, even before Apple Music, with iTunes Match. They still haven’t replaced it, but you can still get it for $24.99 per year. I’ve had it since launch!

I have Apple Music as well, but it doesn’t retain all the iTunes Match features. Which is why I keep both.

Must be Google is looking to rebrand its services under the YouTube banner.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2010mini Avatar
78 months ago

But Apple Music destroys your tags and album artwork in doing so. That's enough for me to have cancelled their service.

Plus this sounds like I can do this for free with Youtube. Another win.
all the original and custom album artwork never got changed when I used iTunes Match.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FightTheFuture Avatar
78 months ago
this sounds like I can do this for free with Youtube. Another win.
I already use google photos for the junk pictures I store to keep off local storage or iCloud photos. I’ll use this to store old podcasts and music files I’m too lazy to delete as well.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
maxresdefault

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...