Last Updated on July 4, 2025 by stlplace
Mainly two ways:
Streaming
We can use both apps and websites for below. For QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music, we can also use WeChat Mini-program (less functionality, but smaller footprint and works).
Outside China: Apple Music, Spotify, YT Music and SoundCloud. The first three (Apple, Spotify and YT) probably have the most Chinese songs.
网易云音乐
NetEase Cloud Music 网易云音乐.
Also: 我在国外这样使用网易云音乐 | Using Neteast Cloud Music Abroad | HONGFEI Z. Btw, using this new Chrome Extension NetEaseMusicWorld++, the old one “NetEaseMusicWorld+” is no longer available on Chrome Web Store. Personally, I felt this is better/lighter weight than using the VPN which has more implications. Note you will still register on the platform in order to listen to the music there: personally, I used my WeChat to register/login.
QQ 音乐 QQ Music
Both inside and outside China: QQ Music QQ 音乐. I used WeChat to log into QQ Music. Note they are both a part of TenCent or 腾讯。They have paid plans, and I may explore those plans in the future.
I also installed both QQ 音乐 and 网易云音乐 mini program 小程序 on my WeChat. I’ve used quite a bit of QQ 音乐 and liked it.
(Update 05-26-2025) One more example of QQ Music: 何璟昕（Ayen）. I just realized they have a few paid plan.
(Update 07-03-2025) I logged into QQ Music via WeChat and here is my profile. I also created a playlist Ayen何璟昕-原创原唱-2024/25 on QQ Music QQ 音乐. I think QQ Music is useful as it shows the lyrics, and it’s handy for my Cantonese as I am not familiar with the language. I am still in the learning mode. Other benefits of QQ Music is its integration with WeChat as mini-program (小程序）as well as plugin and play in my old car (Toyota Sienna 2012) as an iPod (via USB).
Btw, I recall I used “login via WeChat” for the China based video sharing platform Bilibili too. The main platform in China that does not support “login via WeChat” is Douyin. Btw, I realized Douyin is available in Hong Kong nowadays.
Other apps
(Update 05-26-2025) Kugou7
There are also other ways such as Qing’ting FM 蜻蜓FM app: but recently I decide to use more YT Music (no Ads because I am a YT Premium Subscriber) and also QQ Music mini program (no Ads either).
Another reason is I think YT Music doesn’t block anything and has servers based in the US. So they are probably the fastest if I do streaming. I can download songs inside YT Music too.
Nowadays playlist is obviously also important. I found QQ Music has some cool playlist. Because I am just a new user and used it only on WeChat mini-program, I will share as time goes.
(Update 05-09-2025) I found out the WeChat itself also has music, and it’s embedded with the video (Shi’ping) functionality. So one has to have a Shi’ping hao because he/she can publish music. I found the “scroll lyrics” feature is neat: this may be powered by QQ music. See below.
I just confirmed it: WeChat users can now add songs to the videos they post
Chinese messaging app WeChat has a new feature that allows people to add songs to the videos they are sharing with friends. The feature is drawing these background tracks from QQ Music, one of the streaming services operated by WeChat’s parent company Tencent’s music division.
Good old MP3 player
They were popular before the takeover of smartphones.
Personally, I am still using my iPod Nano 7th gen, which is more than 10+ years old (I bought it in late 2012).
I am going to reload some new songs when applicable and the nice thing about this one is it’s just a MP3 player and a radio (FM) tuner. So, less distraction for me – especially during night.