YouTube Music has rolled out a significant redesign to its Now Playing interface on both Android and iOS platforms, following initial testing that began in November. The update brings several changes to the layout and functionality of the screen users see while a song is playing.
One notable change is the relocation of the Song/Video switcher, which is no longer positioned at the top of the Now Playing screen. The Cast button remains in its previous location, adjacent to the three-dot overflow menu. The controls row, including play, pause, and skip buttons, is now located directly below the song name, which is tappable to access related content, and artist information, effectively shifting the interface elements higher on the screen.
The update also introduces a redesigned scrubber, replacing the traditional playhead with a boxy design that thickens upon interaction. Other controls, such as thumbs up/down, comments, and Save, are now arranged in a more compact carousel. This carousel also includes options for Lyrics, the Video/Song switcher, Share, Download, and Radio. The bottom row of tabs has been removed in this redesign.
The “Up Next” section features a new drag handle, providing quick access to the current playlist or radio station. Tapping the handle opens a dual-pane view, offering an efficient way to manage the music queue. In this view, the actions carousel disappears, displaying approximately four songs with the option to expand the queue. This dual-pane view closes automatically upon exiting the Now Playing screen.
The Related and Lyrics sheets have been updated to allow for full expansion, displaying the currently playing song and play/pause controls at the top. These sheets are no longer themed. Podcast controls have received similar treatment in this update. The redesign is being implemented via a server-side update. Users who do not see the changes immediately are advised to force-stop the app from the App info settings or remove it from the multitasking menu.
