YouTube Music has recently unveiled a major overhaul of its Now Playing interface on both Android and iOS devices, following the initial trials that commenced in November. This update is designed to improve user experience by reorganizing controls and functionalities within the application.
A key alteration is the repositioning of the Song/Video switcher, which has been shifted from the upper part of the Now Playing screen. Nevertheless, the Cast option is still conveniently located next to the three-dot overflow menu. The song title and artist details are now more prominently displayed, with the song name being tappable to access related materials.
The controls row has been refreshed, moving higher up on the screen while still ensuring usability for one-handed use. A newly designed boxy scrubber has replaced the former playhead design, becoming thicker when interacted with to enhance visibility and accessibility.
Alongside these modifications, the actions carousel has been condensed. Users will see controls for thumbs up/down, comments, and Save, followed by a newly introduced Lyrics feature. The bottom row of tabs has been removed, simplifying the interface. The Video/Song switcher remains available, as do options for Share, Download, and Radio.
Furthermore, a new drag handle has been added for the “Up Next” section, showcasing the current playlist or radio station. Users can tap to bring up a dual-pane view, which offers an efficient way to browse through forthcoming tracks. This view can display four or more songs in the queue, which is expandable, though it is not persistent and will close upon leaving Now Playing.
The Related and Lyrics sections have also undergone enhancements, allowing for complete expansion while still focusing on the song currently playing, with play/pause controls positioned at the top.
Podcast controls have received comparable enhancements, ensuring a unified experience across different audio content types.
This redesign is being rolled out through a server-side update, meaning that not all users may experience the changes right away. If the new interface is not appearing, users can attempt to force-stop the app from the App info settings or remove it from the multitasking menu to trigger the update.
Overall, the YouTube Music Now Playing redesign aspires to deliver a more user-friendly and visually attractive experience, reflecting the platform’s dedication to ongoing enhancement and responsiveness to user preferences.
