Are MP3 players still a good choice in a world that’s so focused on streaming? Even though most people rely on their phones for music, MP3 players still bring unique benefits, especially for those who appreciate a little nostalgia. You can enjoy high-quality music without constantly stressing about your phone’s battery, data usage, or needing a strong internet connection.
So, now you want to move your music selections from YouTube to an MP3 player, and it’s really just two steps: download and transfer. We’ll take you through both steps, with multiple methods for each, so you can pick what works best.
Read also: How to Convert SoundCloud Songs to MP3: A 2024 Guide
Do MP3 Players Only Support MP3?
No, contrary to the name, MP3 players don’t just support MP3 files — many can play other audio formats, too. MP3 is the most common format, but your player might also support:
- WAV — A high-quality, uncompressed format that takes up more space.
- AAC — A format that offers better quality than MP3 at lower file sizes, commonly used by Apple devices.
- FLAC — A lossless format that preserves the full quality of the original audio, but not all MP3 players support it.
- WMA — Windows Media Audio, supported by many players, especially those designed for Windows.
- OGG — An open-source format supported by some MP3 players, which balances quality and file size.
For the sake of simplicity and clarity in this post, we’ll focus on MP3 files. Just know that your MP3 player may offer additional options depending on the model, so check which formats your device supports.
How to Download Music From YouTube to MP3 Player
Now, remember how we talked about downloading your music first? That’s exactly what we’re covering here.
If you’ve already organized your music into a playlist to make downloading and transferring smoother, you’re on the right track. You can set up the playlist in your phone app or by signing into YouTube Music through a web browser. Now, here’s a simple way to download that playlist to your computer using 4K Video Downloader Plus:
- Start by launching the 4K Video Downloader Plus app on your computer.
- Go to the menu and select Tools > Preferences. This opens a settings window.
- In the preferences, pick the quality you want, choose the MP3 format, and set the folder where the files should be saved. Once done, close the window to save your settings.
- Head to YouTube Music, find your playlist and copy its link.
- Back in the downloader app, click Paste Link. The app will then download the entire playlist to the folder you specified.
Read also: Twitch Clip to MP3: Easy Conversion With These 5 Methods
How to Download Music From YouTube: Online Method
If you’re looking for another way to convert YouTube videos to MP3 without installing any extra software, you can use an online tool like Y2Mate. Please know that this method is less reliable since online tools sometimes get shut down due to copyright issues.
Still, if you’d like to check it, here’s how to do it:
- Open YouTube and search for the video you need.
- Copy the URL from the address bar.
- Visit the Y2Mate website and paste the video URL into the converter. You can then choose your download format. You can pick MP3 or MP4, but if you don’t select a format, it will automatically convert to MP3.
- Once you’ve selected the format, click the Convert button. The conversion will take a little time. The video needs to be under 60 minutes long to download.
- After the conversion is finished, you’ll be able to download the MP3 to your device.
Can You Download Music Directly to an MP3 Player?
In most cases, the answer is no. Traditional MP3 players can’t download music directly from the internet. You’ll usually need to download the music to your computer first, and then transfer it to your MP3 player.
Some advanced models have features like Wi-Fi or app support for direct downloads, but this is more common in smartphones or smart devices, not typical MP3 players.
How to Transfer Music to MP3 Player From Computer
If you’re ready to transfer music from your Mac to your MP3 player, here’s how to get it done:
- Start by opening the Music app on your Mac.
- Use a USB cable to connect your MP3 player to your Mac. Once connected, you’ll see the name of your MP3 player appear in the left sidebar of the Music app, under Devices. You’ll also notice a gray arrow next to the songs in your playlist that are already downloaded.
- In the Music app, go to your Playlists section and open the playlist you want to transfer. You can select the whole playlist by hovering over the playlist name and clicking the red arrow next to it. If you’d rather pick specific tracks, just hover over each one and click the arrow next to each song.
- After the download finishes, select your MP3 player in the Music app. You can check to see if your playlist is transferred by organizing your music by playlist, song, artist, or album.
- Once you’re done, click Eject next to your MP3 player’s name to safely disconnect it. Then, unplug your MP3 player, and you’re all set to enjoy your playlist wherever you go.
If you have a Windows PC, the process is similar for most computers, with just a few minor variations. In general, you should follow these steps:
- Start by opening File Explorer on your PC (just press Win+E). Then, go to the Music folder where your playlist is saved.
- Plug your MP3 player into your PC using a USB cable. After connecting, open a new File Explorer window and find your MP3 player under the Devices section. Click on its Music folder to see what’s already stored on it.
- In the first window, find the playlist you want to transfer. Press and hold the CTRL key to select multiple songs if necessary.
- Right-click on the songs you’ve selected and choose Copy.
- Now, go to the second window showing your MP3 player’s Music folder. Right-click inside the folder and select Paste to transfer the songs. You can also drag and drop them directly if that’s easier.
- Once the transfer is complete, right-click on your MP3 player in File Explorer and select Eject to safely disconnect it. Then, unplug your MP3 player from the PC.
How to Download Music to MP3 Player From Phone
This isn’t the most convenient way to transfer music, and unfortunately, this method won’t work on an iPhone. But if you have an Android phone, you still have a couple of options to make it happen.
Using USB OTG mode
If your Android phone supports USB OTG (On-The-Go) mode, it can act as a host for a USB device like an MP3 player. If your MP3 player has a USB connector, your phone can likely recognize it as a storage device in OTG mode:
- Use an OTG adapter or a suitable USB cable to connect your MP3 player to your Android phone.
- Once connected, your phone should detect the MP3 player as a flash drive.
- Open your phone’s file manager, select the music files you want, and copy them directly to the MP3 player.
Using a MicroSD card
If both your Android phone and MP3 player support MicroSD cards, you’re in luck with a quick and easy way to transfer files:
- Insert a compatible MicroSD card into your phone.
- Copy the desired music files onto the MicroSD card.
- Eject the card from your phone and insert it into the MP3 player.
If your MP3 player doesn’t have a USB connector or MicroSD slot, or if your phone doesn’t support OTG, using a computer is your only workaround. Just use the instructions we’ve provided above.
How Can I Delete Files From My MP3 Player Later?
Many MP3 players allow you to delete files directly from the device. Navigate to the file or playlist you want to remove, press the options or menu button, and select the Delete option.
If you prefer managing your files from a computer, connect your MP3 player to your PC or Mac. Once it’s recognized, open the device folder, locate the files you want to remove, and delete them just like you would any other file on your computer.
In both cases, make sure to safely eject the device after deleting the files to avoid any data loss.
