YouTube Music launches on Apple Watch with basic music browsing options, playback controls, casting and a watch face complication.

As 2020 draws closer to an end, Google have been fading out their Google Play Music streaming service and improving YouTube Music. Recently YouTube Music launched their new Apple app for YouTube Music Premium users, giving quick access to essential controls when out and about.

As well as the app itself, a complication is available on supported watch faces. This brings up playback controls and recommendations for new songs based on listening habits with a single tap. You can also cast music to a smart speaker or ‘Like’ music.

YouTube Music on Apple Watch

You cannot download music to the watch for offline listening. The app acts more like a remote, where all the actual music and operations take place on your phone.

You must have a YouTube Premium or YouTube Premium Music subscription, running the latest version of YouTube Music on iPhone, and an Apple Watch Series 3 or above, running watchOS 6 or above. Strangely, the new YouTube Music watch app comes to Apple’s watchOS before Google’s own Wear OS. YouTube say “Stay tuned for additional updates on YouTube Music availability on WearOS.”