Shazam
Identify a song playing nearby or in another app, then open it in your streaming service of choice
by Apple Inc. · listed Oct 21, 2026
Quick verdict
Shazam remains the easy default for identifying music: free, quick and available on both platforms. Worth having on any phone.
Best for Anyone who regularly hears a song and wants to know what it is and where to stream it
Reviewed by AppsPicks on Oct 21, 2026. How we review
Shazam review
Shazam listens to whatever music is playing around you, or inside apps like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, and tells you the song and artist within a few seconds. It's for anyone who has ever heard a track in a shop, a video or a film and wanted to know what it was. Beyond identification, it shows lyrics and videos, suggests similar music, and lists concerts near you from artists you follow or might like.
Day to day it is about as simple as an app gets: tap the button, or use the widget, Siri on iPhone, or the notification tile on Android, and the result lands in your library so you can revisit it later. If you're offline, it saves the sample and matches it once you reconnect. Songs open straight into Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music or Deezer.
Why we picked it: It does one job quickly and reliably, costs nothing, and works across both major phone platforms.
Watch out for: It leans toward Apple Music integration, and obscure tracks, live versions or noisy rooms can still stump it.
What we like
- Fast, accurate song recognition from a short clip
- Works on music playing inside other apps, not just out loud
- Offline captures are matched once you reconnect
- Hands-free options via widgets, Siri, Shortcuts and Android quick tiles
- Hands off to all the major streaming services
What could be better
- Apple Music gets the deepest integration
- Can struggle with live recordings, remixes or background noise
- Concert listings depend on your area and may be thin in smaller cities
Questions about Shazam
Is Shazam free?
Yes. Shazam is free on both the App Store and Google Play, and the store listings show no in-app purchases or subscription.
Does it work on Android as well as iPhone?
Yes, Apple publishes it on both. iPhone gets Siri and Shortcuts support, while Android has a notification tile and an Auto Shazam mode.
Can it identify songs without an internet connection?
It can record a sample while you're offline and then match it when you're back online. Recognition itself still needs a connection.
Do I need Apple Music to use it?
No. Songs can be opened in Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music or Deezer as well as Apple Music.
From the developer: how Shazam describes itself
"What's that song? Shazam will instantly identify music playing around you or in apps like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube & Snapchat. Discover concerts near you, song lyrics, videos & more. With tens of millions of daily users, Shazam is trusted by music lovers worldwide.
Shazam has thousands of five star reviews and is a top rated music app.
""Shazam is a gift... a game changer"" - Pharrell Williams, GQ ""I don't know how we ever survived before Shazam"" - Marshmello “Shazam is a kind of magic… You hear a song, hold your phone up like a wand and it tells you exactly what song it is, who sang it and lets you add it to your playlist or share it to your social media… How is that not magic?!” - Calum Scott
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT
* Identify music in an instant. * Discover live shows near you from your favorite artists or through curated recommendations. * Recognize songs even when you're offline, using headphones or on a different app. * Revisit your music discovery history in your library anytime. * Get recommended songs and playlists similar to the music you’ve discovered.
USE SHAZAM ANYWHERE, ANYTIME
* Enable the Shazam widgets on your Lock Screen or Home Screen. * Ask Siri: “What’s this song?” to use Shazam hands-free. * Automate music discovery with the Shazam Shortcut in the Shortcuts app.
CONNECT WITH YOUR MUSIC
* Unlock extras from artists around the world. * Open any song directly in Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube Music, Amazon Music & Deezer. * Listen and add songs directly to your Apple Music playlists. * Watch music videos of the songs you discover in Apple Music or YouTube. * Follow along to songs with real-time, karaoke-style lyrics. * See what’s trending locally and globally with Shazam Charts.
Optional App Permission ▪ Microphone: To identify a song that’s playing around you when you tap to Shazam. ▪ Location: To show you where your songs were identified, display upcoming events in your area, and improve the quality of the service. ▪ Notification: To send you notifications that are personalized based on your Shazam activity.
You can use Shazam even without providing consent to any of the above optional app permissions. However, some features of the service may not be available.
Availability and features may vary by country. For more information on Shazam's privacy practices, please read the Privacy Policy, available at: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/. Find out more and get support from AppleCare at: https://support.apple.com/guide/shazam/welcome"
Text from the app store listing, quoted for reference. Our own take is above.
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