YouTube Music’s latest redesign might just be the game-changer users have been waiting for—or is it? For over a year, the platform has been quietly experimenting with a revamped Now Playing screen on Android and iOS, leaving users wondering what the final look will be. But here's where it gets controversial: the latest iteration replaces the traditional 'Song' and 'Video' switcher with sleek icons, a move that’s both cleaner and more intuitive. This is a stark contrast to earlier versions that removed the switcher entirely, leaving users scrambling to adjust their muscle memory and sidelining the music video library—a decision that sparked heated debates among loyal listeners. And this is the part most people miss: while the carousel, progress bar, and controls remain largely unchanged, the progress bar now sports a rounded design without a playhead, thickening only when you’re actively scrubbing. It’s a subtle yet modern touch that aligns seamlessly with the main YouTube app. The real shake-up, however, lies in the bottom tabs. Gone are the 'Lyrics' and 'Related' tabs, replaced by a single 'Up Next' tab renamed to reflect the album, playlist, or mix you’re currently enjoying. Lyrics haven’t disappeared—they’ve just moved into the carousel, though their placement varies across designs. This shift paves the way for a dual-pane view that combines controls and the queue, a feature that’s both innovative and practical. But here’s the catch: to accommodate this change, other frequently used elements had to be relocated, which could either streamline the experience or leave users frustrated. Over the past few days, more users have caught a glimpse of this redesign, but it’s still not widely available. Will this be the final version? Hopefully, YouTube Music has settled on this design, bringing an end to the A/B testing that began last November. But the question remains: is this redesign a step forward or a missed opportunity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’re eager to hear whether you’re team 'love it' or team 'leave it.' FTC: We use income-earning auto affiliate links. More. (https://9to5mac.com/about/#affiliate)
