Playing YouTube Music on a TV can be a bit challenging, especially on a Roku TV. Roku does not offer a dedicated YouTube Music app. The good news is that there are several practical ways to make it work, including using the YouTube channel, casting from your phone or computer, screen mirroring, and even playing offline music through Roku Media Player. In this guide, we'll walk you through every working method so you can choose the easiest way to get YouTube Music on Roku.
Part 1. Can You Get YouTube Music on Roku?
Yes, you can get YouTube Music on Roku, but there is no standalone "YouTube Music" app in the Roku Channel Store.
You can access YouTube Music directly through the standard YouTube app. Google has integrated YouTube Music into the main YouTube interface. By opening the YouTube app and selecting the Music tab from the left-hand sidebar, you can access your entire library, personalized mixes, and saved playlists just like on the mobile app.
We'll show a detailed step-by-step tutorial for this method in the next part, so keep reading.
Part 2. Play YouTube Music on Roku via the YouTube Channel
If you refuse to download any third-party tools on your computer, you can just install YouTube app which also supports YouTube Music service. The next content will tell you how to get the official YouTube Music channel.
What You Get:
- Full Library Sync: Access your "Liked Music," saved albums, and personal playlists.
- Personalized Mixes: Stream your "Supermix," "Discover Mix," and "New Release Mix."
- Visual Experience: View official music videos and real-time lyrics on your TV screen.
- Premium Benefits: If you have YouTube Premium, your music will play completely ad-free.
What You Need:
- A Roku device connected to your TV
- The YouTube channel installed on Roku
- A Google/YouTube account to access your library
How to Install and Use Roku YouTube Music App:
Step 1 Navigate to the Home section on your Roku and scroll down to click the Search bar.
Step 2 Enter "YouTube" into the search box, then you will see YouTube app auto-populate on the right-side of the screen.
Step 3 Select the YouTube icon and then tap on the "Add Channel" bar to add it to your Roku TV.
Step 4 Launch YouTube app and go to the Music panel at the left-side column, then you can stream music you like.
Part 3. Play Offline YouTube Music on Roku with Roku Media Player
If you want to enjoy YouTube Music on Roku without relying on Wi-Fi or avoid the limitations of the TV app, playing offline files via the Roku Media Player is the ultimate solution.
The Best Tool for the Job: ViWizard YouTube Music Converter
Since YouTube Music files are encrypted, you cannot simply move them to a USB drive. ViWizard YouTube Music Converter allows you to download and convert YouTube Music tracks into universal formats like MP3, WAV, or FLAC. It preserves the original audio quality, ID3 tags, and even lyrics when available, keeping your offline library organized and high-fidelity.
Download songs, playlists, albums, and your whole music library from 10 major streaming platforms, including YouTube Music, to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, or M4B with original sound quality and full song info and keep your music forever.
What You Get:
- Zero Interruptions: No buffering or playback issues due to slow internet.
- Ad-Free Forever: Once converted, you can enjoy your music without ads, even without a Premium subscription.
- Superior Control: Use Roku's native media interface to shuffle and repeat tracks.
- Permanent Ownership: Your favorite songs stay on your drive even if they are removed from the streaming platform.
What You Need:
- A USB Flash Drive (formatted to FAT32 or NTFS)
- The Roku Media Player app (free on the Roku Channel Store)
- A computer with ViWizard YouTube Music Converter installed
How to Get YouTube Music on Roku with Roku Media Player:
Step 1 Set a Roku-Compatible Output Format
Launch ViWizard YouTube Music Converter. Go to Menu > Preferences > Conversion. Select MP3 (universal compatibility) or FLAC (for lossless quality) as the output format. For the best sound on your TV speakers, set the bitrate to 320 kbps. Choose your save folder and click OK.
Step 2 Access the YouTube Music Web Player
Return to the main interface and click the YouTube Music icon to open the built-in web player. Sign in to your account so you can access your personalized "Liked Music" and saved playlists.
Step 3 Add Your Favorite Music to the Queue
Browse your library and open the song, album, or playlist you want to download. Click the green Plus (+) button on the side to load the tracks into ViWizard. From the list that appears, check the songs you want and click Add to List.
Step 4 Convert YouTube Music to Roku-Compatible Files
Click the Convert button to start the process. Once finished, locate the files in your output folder.
Step 5Transfer the Downloaded Music to a USB Drive and Play on Roku Media Player
- Insert your USB drive to your computer. Locate the YouTube music downloaded just now on your computer local folder, and drag and drop them to your USB folder.
- Unplug the USB drive and plug it into your Roku TV.
- Navigate to the Home section, then proceed to Store > Channels options to locate and install Roku Media Player on your Roku TV.
- Start Roku Media Player and navigate to the USB option. Once the YouTube audio appears, click the start button to play it.
Part 4. Cast YouTube Music to Roku (Mobile and PC)
If you prefer the touch interface of your phone or the convenience of your computer, casting and mirroring are the most flexible ways to enjoy YouTube Music on your Roku.
Method 1. Cast YouTube Music from the YouTube Music App
The YouTube Music app on Android and iOS has a Cast icon. Tapping it lets your Roku stream music directly from the cloud, which saves your phone's battery.
What You Get:
- Full Library Access: Stream music in your YouTube Music library in real-time to your TV.
- Multitasking: You can take calls or use other apps on your phone without stopping the music.
- Battery Efficiency: Your phone acts as a remote, so it doesn't drain battery by streaming the data.
- Remote Control: Use either your phone or the Roku remote to skip tracks and play/pause.
What You Need:
- The YouTube Music app installed on your Android or iOS device
- The YouTube app installed on your Roku
- Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network
How to Cast YouTube Music from the App:
Step 1 Open the YouTube Music app on your phone.
Step 2 Start playing a song or playlist.
Step 3 Tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi bars) at the top of the player screen.
Step 4 Select your Roku device from the list.
Step 5 The YouTube app will automatically launch on your Roku and begin playback.
Method 2. AirPlay YouTube Music to Roku from iPhone/iPad
If you have an iOS device or a Mac, you can use the AirPlay feature on your devices to get YouTube Music on Roku.
What You Get:
- Control Center Integration: Manage playback from your iPhone lock screen or Apple Watch.
- High-Quality Audio: AirPlay 2 supports high-bitrate streaming for better sound.
- Siri Support: You can use voice commands on your iPhone to control the Roku music.
What You Need:
- A compatible Roku device (most 4K models and Roku TVs)
- An iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi network
- AirPlay enabled on Roku
How to AirPlay YouTube Music to Roku:
Step 1 Press the home button on your remote, then navigate to Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay option.
Step 2 Wait a moment to load, then make sure the AirPlay is switched on. You can change it between on and off by clicking the AirPlay bar.
Step 3 Ensure that your mobile device is connected to the same WiFi network.
Step 4 Play a song on your device using the YouTube Music app.
Step 5 Tap on the AirPlay icon on the playing screen, and select the name of your Roku device to play songs on your Roku.
After the connection of two devices, you can use your phone hands-free to receive calls and messages while enjoying YouTube music at the same time.
Method 3. Screen Mirror YouTube Music to Roku from Mobile & PC
When you want to see the full lyrics, comments, and the desktop-style interface on the big screen, mirroring is the best option.
What You Get:
- Lyrics & Visuals: See exactly what is on your phone/PC screen, including real-time lyrics and artist info.
- Universal Compatibility: Works for Windows PCs and Android devices that don't support standard casting.
What You Need:
- A Roku device with screen mirroring enabled
- An Android phone, tablet, or Windows PC on the same Wi-Fi network
How to Screen Mirror YouTube Music to Roku:
Step 1 On Roku, go to Settings > Screen Mirroring > Screen Mode > Prompt/Always Allow.
Step 2 Connect your Roku device with the device you want to mirror from.
- On Android: Open Settings and go to Connection & sharing > Screencast. Tap Search for devices, then find and select your Roku.
- On Windows PC: Press Windows + K on your keyboard. Select your Roku device from the Connect panel to project your browser (music.youtube.com) to the TV.
- On Mac: Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, then select Screen Mirroring. Choose your Roku device from the list.
- On iPhone: Swipe down (or up, depending on your model) to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring and select your Roku device from the list.
Step 3 Once connected, open YouTube Music on your device and start playing. The audio and visuals will appear on your TV in real time.
Part 5. YouTube Music on Roku FAQs
Can you play YouTube Music on Roku while the TV screen is off?
Generally, no. However, you can go to Settings > Picture > Turn display off while the music is playing to keep the audio active.
Can you play YouTube Music in the background while using other Roku apps?
No. Roku can only run one channel at a time, so YouTube Music cannot keep playing while you switch to another app.
Can you use voice commands to play YouTube Music on Roku?
Yes. If you have a Roku Voice Remote or the Roku mobile app, you can hold the microphone button and say, Play [Artist/Song] on YouTube. The Roku will automatically launch the YouTube app and begin the music. Note that it will search the main YouTube database, which includes the YouTube Music library.
How do you get the best audio quality for YouTube Music on Roku?
To ensure the highest fidelity, check these three areas:
- In the YouTube App: Go to Settings > Quality during playback and ensure it is set to the highest available resolution.
- On your Phone (if casting): Open the YouTube Music app settings, go to Data saving, and set Audio quality on Wi-Fi to Always High.
- Roku Audio Settings: Go to your Roku home screen, then Settings > Audio. Ensure Digital output format is set to Auto or matches your sound system's highest capability.
Conclusion
Whether you choose to directly install YouTube app to your Roku device or cast with your mobile device or use a USB drive to transfer YouTube music to Roku, this post is to give you the most detailed and easy-to-read instruction. Among these methods, transferring YouTube music with the help of a USB drive and ViWizard YouTube Music Converter might be the most cost-effective way, saving audio forever without subscription of Premium.
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Matt Smith, a digital entertainment industry enthusiast at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing insightful commentary and solutions for music and media-related topics, including industry trends, analysis, and recommendations.
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