To find what song is playing, use Shazam for a recording you can hear, Google’s song search for a melody you can hum, or a browser extension for music playing in a tab. The right option depends on where the sound is coming from.
Choose a method for the sound you have
| Situation | Start with | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Music playing nearby or in another app | Shazam | Use the app or Shazam Music Recognition on a supported Apple device. |
| You remember the melody | Google app | Tap the microphone, choose Search a song, and hum, whistle or sing. |
| Music playing in a browser tab | Shazam’s Chromium extension | Start the audio in that tab and select the extension. |
A song title, a recording and a melody are different search inputs. Use a clear part of the recording when you have it; use humming when you only remember the tune. A match is not guaranteed for every cover, remix or short clip.
Identify a song without installing another recognition app
On iPhone or iPad, add Shazam Music Recognition to Control Center and tap it while the music plays. Apple‘s Shazam guide explains the controls and recognition history.
On Android or iPhone, open the Google app, tap the microphone and choose Search a song. Play the recording or hum, whistle or sing the melody. Google’s song-search instructions explain the available options.
Browser extensions
From your own browser you will be able to easily know what song is playing, that is why we are going to tell you about some of the best options that you can find for this purpose in both Chrome and Firefox. Thus, you will not have to use your mobile or download applications to know what music is playing on your computer.
AHA Music – Browser Song Finder
You just have to go to the page and click add to Chrome to enjoy the potential of this extension. If you are surfing the Internet and you suddenly want to know what song you are listening to and get more information about it, this extension identifies the songs with great precision and gives you more information so that you can find it and enjoy it again. It is a search engine through which you will find music on any web with audio detection , as well as listen to them on popular social media platforms or search for a song’s title or artist in your browser.
To do this, you just have to click the extension button on the page where the audio is played and they will be identified, as well as streaming links from the different existing music platforms. It doesn’t use your microphone and it’s free.
Shazam
The Shazam extension for Chromium browsers identifies audio playing in a webpage on a Mac or PC. Install it from the Chrome Web Store, start the music in the relevant tab and select the Shazam icon. This browser workflow is separate from using a phone microphone to identify music nearby.
In addition, you can access their history whenever you want and listen to them in full with Apple Music, among many other advantages. Later we will also mention the possibility of downloading its mobile application to go further in its benefits.
Song Identifier
This is an application with which you can find out what song is playing at the moment from your Firefox browser. You don’t have to pay for it, but registration is required. To test its operation, you must go to a website with video or audio and start playing it. If you press the plugin button , you will see a status bar with the countdown. If you are going to use it a lot, create your account at acrcloud.com and get 100 free IDs every day.
Its operation is very simple and it will allow you to instantly recognize songs if you use this browser, so it can be an interesting solution. Many users value it positively, although it also has its detractors. Give it a try and see how it goes for you.
Mobile apps for music identification
If you want to know what song is playing and you want to discover the most relevant information about this song, so that you can listen to it again or discover new artists of your interest, there are several mobile apps that make it easy for you. Most for both operating systems, but there is one that is only available for Android. Find out what they are and how they work so you can find the one that interests you the most, both for its ease of use and for what it offers you additionally.
Shazam
Shazam can identify music playing around you and, on supported devices, music in other apps. Start recognition while the recording is audible, then open the result to see the track and artist. Microphone access is needed when the app listens to sound around you.
Shazam for iPhone and iPad is the mobile download. The Mac app is a separate listing. On Android, use the official Shazam listing.
SoundHound
Once you access the app, you will give the orange button to identify songs. You can also share, see the lyrics, broadcast, buy or whatever you want, even know more about the song you like and its artist. You have several options, including the ability to add your own playlists.
One of its advantages is that you will be able to search for the song if you sing it or hum it , although for it to detect it correctly you will have to maintain a certain rhythm so that it is easily recognizable, since otherwise it will not detect it. This app has a paid version with additional features and no advertising. You can also use the service from your browser from its website, although it is not as precise, you will find it here .
Beatfind (Music Recognition)
This is an app that you can find for Android devices under the name Music Identifier. If you open it once you have installed it, you will only have to click on the magnifying glass that appears and you will identify the song that is playing. You can listen to it on Spotify, YouTube, the web and more. You can also share it and go to other songs by the artist, among other options.
You do not need to identify yourself or do anything more than open the application to enjoy its advantages, just access it and hit the song recognition function. The only drawback is that it is not available for iOS devices .
WhoSampled
WhoSampled is useful for exploring samples, covers and remixes as well as its music-identification features. Check the current app listing for recognition features, subscription or purchase costs, and availability on your platform.
If you are an Android user, it is free, although it requires a subscription for the identifier, while iOS is priced at $3.99. The annual subscription is 9.49 euros per year, which may be interesting for you if it has the functions and advantages that interest you, otherwise it may be interesting for another of those mentioned.
More lyrics and music apps
The following services combine lyrics, streaming or music-search features. Check the current version’s identification feature and account requirements before choosing one specifically to recognize a recording.
musixmatch
With this app you can also easily identify songs that are playing on the radio, television or in your environment , with just one touch. In addition to this, it stands out because it has synchronized lyrics for Spotify, YouTube and other services. Although you can search for songs in different ways, one of its main features is that you can know what song it is just by listening to it, without having to identify parts of songs and search on Google, for example. You will have to go to the menu to the identify section and touch the red button so that it begins to detect the song that is playing.
It has a paid version that has additional features and also removes ads for greater ease of use, although you can use it in its free version without any problems. You just have to identify yourself with Google, Facebook or email. You can connect with Spotify or your music library.
genius
This is another app through which you can recognize the song you want while the music is playing. You just have to touch the button. With its ACRCloud technology, the song it has detected will appear instantly along with its lyrics and additional information.
It has a base of 1.7 million songs, so it won’t be difficult to find the one you like. You must identify yourself with Facebook or Google and you will give the button that appears on the screen to recognize music. It will search instantly and offer you the result in a few seconds, whenever this is possible since there are some that cannot recognize these services.
Deezer
Deezer is much more than streaming music , since this service also allows you to access this option. With the SongCatcher button you will be able to know what is playing on the radio, television or background music. Not only will it tell you what theme it is, but its album, author and more information will appear.
Once you install it, you will have to identify yourself with Facebook, Google or email. You give the option that interests you and continue. You will have to choose 3 favorite artists to access recommendations. To find out what song is playing, you must click on music and you will find the option from a sound. If you press what song this is, it will search for it.
If you need more, this app also has a premium version with more features and no ads for you to make the most of its potential.
If the song is not recognized
- Try a clearer section with less speech or background noise.
- Check the microphone permission for listening nearby, or the active tab for a browser extension.
- If you only remember a melody, try Google’s humming search.
- Try another section of a cover or remix; the result may identify a different recording.
For music files you already have, see our iPhone and iPad music-player comparison.