How to Shazam a Song That's Already on Your Phone


4 min read 31-10-2024
How to Shazam a Song That's Already on Your Phone

Imagine this: you're scrolling through your music library, and you come across a song that you know you love, but you can't for the life of you remember the artist or the title. You've tried searching for it on Spotify, Apple Music, and even Google, but nothing seems to match. It's like the song is stuck in a digital limbo, forever lost in the depths of your phone's storage.

Sound familiar? Well, fret no more! We're about to unlock a hidden superpower that will help you identify any song on your phone, even if you don't know the name.

The Art of Shazam-ing the Unidentified

While Shazam is typically used for identifying songs playing in the real world, its capabilities extend far beyond that. Here are the most common ways to Shazam a song already on your phone:

1. The Direct Approach (For Most Music Apps):

  • Open your Music App: Whether it's Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or any other music streaming platform, open your app and navigate to your library.

  • Find the Unknown Song: Locate the song you want to Shazam.

  • Tap the Three Dots (or Similar Icon): Look for the menu icon, usually represented by three dots, next to the song.

  • Select "Identify Song" or "Shazam" (or Similar): Most music apps have a dedicated button for identifying songs. You might see options like "Identify Song," "Shazam," or "Get Info." Tap on this button.

  • Wait for the Magic: The app will analyze the song and present you with the title, artist, and even relevant information like albums and lyrics.

2. Shazam's Built-in Feature (For Android Users):

  • Open Shazam: Launch the Shazam app on your Android device.

  • Tap the "My Music" Tab: You'll find this at the bottom of the app screen.

  • Select "Identify Songs" or "From My Library": You might see options like "Identify Songs," "From My Library," or "My Music Library." Choose the one that allows you to search your phone's music files.

  • Choose the Song: Select the song you want to Shazam from your device's storage.

  • Let Shazam Work Its Magic: Shazam will analyze the song and display its details.

3. The Manual Method (For the Technically Inclined):

  • Open Your Music App: Access your music library in your chosen app.

  • Find the Song: Locate the unknown song.

  • Copy Song URL: For Spotify and Apple Music, you can often copy the song's URL from the details page. For other apps, you might need to explore your app's settings or look for a "share" option.

  • Paste URL into Shazam: Open the Shazam app and paste the copied URL into the search bar.

  • Shazam the URL: Hit the "Search" or "Shazam" button, and Shazam will identify the song based on its URL.

4. The Third-Party App Solution:

  • Download a Third-Party App: Explore options like "SoundHound," "Musixmatch," or "Google Assistant" (if you have an Android phone).

  • Use the App's Identification Feature: These apps often allow you to select a song directly from your device's storage for identification.

  • Wait for Results: Let the app analyze the song and reveal the title, artist, and other relevant information.

Shazam Beyond Music Recognition

While Shazam is primarily known for its song identification prowess, it offers several other features that enhance your music experience:

1. Shazam Charts: Stay up-to-date with the hottest tracks by checking Shazam's real-time charts. You can see what songs are trending globally, locally, and even among your friends.

2. "Discover" Tab: Explore new music based on your Shazam history. This feature curates a personalized playlist of artists and songs similar to those you've previously identified.

3. Shazam "Listen to This" (For iOS Users): When you hear a song playing on your iPhone, tap the "Listen to This" button in the Shazam app, and the app will identify the song even without you actively using the app.

FAQs: Common Shazam Queries

1. Can Shazam Identify Songs from Other Apps?

Yes, Shazam can identify songs from most popular music apps like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and more. It even works with music stored on your device, even if it's not from a specific app.

2. Can I Use Shazam Offline?

You can't use Shazam's "Listen to This" feature offline because it relies on your device's microphone to capture the song. However, if you have a song already downloaded on your device, you can identify it offline using the "My Music" tab in the Shazam app.

3. Why Isn't Shazam Identifying My Song?

There are a few reasons why Shazam might not be able to identify a song:

  • Poor Sound Quality: If the audio quality of the song is too low, Shazam might struggle to analyze it. Try playing the song on a higher-quality speaker or headphones.

  • Rare or Obscure Song: If the song is extremely obscure or a live recording with unique variations, Shazam's database might not have enough information to identify it.

  • App Glitch: Sometimes, Shazam's servers might be overloaded or experiencing technical issues. Try again later.

4. How Many Songs Can I Shazam?

Shazam doesn't have a limit on the number of songs you can identify. You can use the app as much as you want, without any restrictions.

5. Can I Shazam Songs from Videos?

Yes! Shazam can identify songs from videos as well. Open the Shazam app and tap the "Start Shazam" button. Then, play the video with the song playing. Shazam will automatically recognize the song and display its details.

Conclusion: The Magic of Music Identification

Shazam is a powerful tool that empowers you to unlock the secrets of any song, even if it's already tucked away in your phone's library. Whether you're rediscovering an old favorite or seeking to explore new music, Shazam helps you stay connected to the songs that resonate with your soul.

So, the next time you encounter a song that's lost its identity, remember the power of Shazam. With just a few taps, you can unveil its hidden treasures and embark on a musical journey of discovery.