Behind the scenes, Google requires manufacturers of hardwareto pre-install certain apps in order to access other services of the first party. For newly launched Android 10 devices, YouTube Music is now on that list, while the soon-to-be-replaced Play Music is dropped.
Google today announced the preinstallation of YouTube Music on “all new” Android 9 and Android 10 devices, with explicit name-checking of the “Pixel series.” Described as a “personal guide through the entire music world,” Google only functionally recapped existing:
Music listeners on Android devices are now just a few taps away from streaming their go-to tracks and discovering new music. From the gym, to the car, to work—it’s all here, right in your back pocket. Discover official songs, albums and playlists, music videos, remixes, live performances, hard-to-find music, and more. Whatever your mood, we’ve got you covered.
YouTube Music is interestingly framed as an OS-level functionality along with “suggested actions in Smart Reply, enhanced Digital Wellbeing tools, Dark theme, and much more.”
The last line of today’s announcement reveals how preinstalling YouTube Music comes at the expense of Play Music, which will still be available as a manual installation through Google Play:
Google Play Music listeners with new Android 10 devices can continue to enjoy Google Play Music by downloading it from the Play Store and logging in to their accounts.
Google was explicitly concerned with replacing Play Music once a feature parity was achieved— like a cloud locker. To be the default Android audio app, YouTube Music has been able to play local files since May. Overall, this move will help to increase the use of YouTube Music and the chances for people to try out the paid service.
