Shazam

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Shazam tells you the name of a song that's playing. Hold up your phone while the song is on the radio, TV or in a shop, tap the button, and a few seconds later it shows the title and singer.

It's owned by Apple and is free on both iPhone and Android.

What You Can Use It For

• Radio. Find out the name of that song you half remember.
• TV and films. Name the music in an advert or programme.
• Shops and cafés. Save a song you liked to listen to later.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for Shazam and check it's made by Apple. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. On iPhone, you can also add Shazam to Control Centre in Settings.

Naming A Song

1. Open Shazam while the song is playing.
2. Tap the big Shazam button.
3. Hold the phone near the sound for a few seconds.
4. Read the song name. Tap it to play it in Apple Music or Spotify.

Things To Try Typing

Things to try in the app.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• Shazam needs your microphone, but only listens when you tap the button (or turn on Auto Shazam).
• Your found songs are saved in the app. You can delete them.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• One big button, very simple.
• Works in a few seconds.
• Shows lyrics in large text.

Watch-Outs

• Needs to hear the song clearly. Loud chatter can stop it working.
• Doesn't work well with humming.
• Links to music services that may ask you to pay.

Similar Tools

• Google Lens: point your camera at anything to identify it.
• Suno: makes a song from your description.
• Duolingo: short, game-like language lessons.

Common Questions

Is Shazam free?

Yes, it's completely free.

Does Shazam work if I hum?

Not well. It works best with the actual recording.

Where are songs I found before?

Look in My Music, or the Library, in the app.