Music is an integral part of our lives, and we all have our favorite playlists or songs that we love to listen to repeatedly. But sometimes, the unknown artist label that appears in your music library can be frustrating. You might have your favorite track downloaded, but because the artist is unknown, it becomes difficult to search for it again. Luckily, there are ways to fix this common problem. In this blog post, we will explore methods to change the unknown artist on Android, to help you manage your music library better.
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The Challenge of Changing the Unknown Artist on Android
It can be a frustrating experience when you download a song, and you can’t find it later because of its unknown artist label. These tracks are often labeled as "unknown artist," "unknown album," or even "unknown genre." The challenge with changing the unknown artist on Android is that there is no one right way to do it. Many factors can contribute to the problem, including the way you downloaded your music, the music player you’re using, or even the device you’re using. Therefore, before diving into the methods, it is essential to understand the problem and prepare for the possible solutions.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you start exploring the methods to change the unknown artist on Android, you should prepare for some essential things. The following is a list of things you should prepare for:
- Ensure that your music library is well-organized. Proper organization of your music files makes it easy to find and manage them.
- Make sure that your Android device has sufficient storage space to accommodate the changes you will make to your music library.
- Ensure that you are using an Android music player that supports editing tags and metadata.
- Be ready to edit tags manually if needed. The automatic methods to change the unknown artist on Android may not work in some cases.
Method 1: Editing Tags Using Music Player Apps
Most Android music player apps allow editing of metadata tags such as artist, album, genre, and others. Follow these steps to change the unknown artist using a music player app:
- Open your preferred music player app on your Android device.
- Select the song that you want to edit.
- Tap and hold the song until a drop-down menu appears.
- Select the "Edit tags" option.
- Fill in the appropriate details in the available fields. Ensure that you type the correct spelling of the artist’s name.
- Save the changes and exit the music player app.
Pros:
- Editing tags with a music player app is easy and convenient.
- Most music player apps do not require you to be tech-savvy to use them.
- Tags edited using music player apps can be directly saved on your device, reducing the risk of losing important metadata.
Cons:
- The editing options available in some music player apps may be limited.
- Some music player apps only allow editing of one music track at a time, making it time-consuming if you want to edit multiple tracks.
- If you have a vast music library, editing tags using music player apps can be an arduous task.
Method 2: Using Automatic Tag Editors
Several third-party apps can help change the unknown artist on Android automatically. These apps use an online database of music information to update the metadata tags for your music files. Here’s how to change the unknown artist using automatic tag editors:
- Download and install an automatic tag editor app such as "Automatic Tag Editor" or "Star Music Tag Editor."
- Open the app and grant the necessary permissions required to access your music library.
- Select the song or tracks that you want to edit.
- Click on the "Autotag" or "Batch Autotag" option, depending on the app you are using.
- The app will automatically search for the song’s metadata on online databases and update the tags accordingly.
- Save the changes made by the app and exit.
Pros:
- Automatic tag editors are fast and can edit multiple tracks at once.
- The apps are user-friendly and do not require advanced tech skills to use.
- Some automatic tag editors can update not only the artist but also other metadata tags such as album, genre, and cover art.
Cons:
- The apps may not work correctly in some cases, especially if the online databases do not have the metadata of the song you want to edit.
- Some automatic tag editors may not be free to use, and you may have to pay a subscription fee to use all their features.
- There is a risk of losing the original metadata tags of your music files when using automatic tag editors.
Method 3: Editing Tags using File Explorer Apps
Editing the unknown artist label on Android can also be done using file explorer apps. The process involves accessing the music files’ internal folders and editing the metadata tags directly. Here’s how to change the unknown artist using a file explorer app:
- Download and install a file explorer app such as "ES File Explorer," "Solid Explorer," or "Astro File Manager."
- Open the file explorer app and navigate to the music file that you want to edit.
- Tap and hold the file until a drop-down menu appears.
- Select the "Rename" option and change the file extension from .mp3 to .txt.
- Open the renamed file with a text editor app such as "Notepad++" or "Sublime Text."
- Edit the tags by changing the "Unknown Artist" label to the correct artist name.
- Save the changes and rename the file back to its original .mp3 extension.
Pros:
- Editing tags using file explorer apps allows you to edit the tags of multiple tracks at once, saving time.
- The process is an excellent option for tech-savvy individuals who prefer the traditional method of editing metadata tags.
- It is a reliable method of changing the unknown artist on Android.
Cons:
- The method may not be suitable for those who are not tech-savvy or comfortable working with file explorer apps.
- It can be tedious to perform the process if you have a large music library.
- Editing tags using file explorer apps poses the risk of damaging the music file if care is not taken.
Method 4: Use a Third-party Music Tag Editor
If the above methods do not work for you, you can try using a third-party music tag editor app. These apps are designed explicitly for editing metadata tags in music files. Below are the steps to follow when using a third-party music tag editor:
- Download and install a third-party music tag editor such as "MP3dit" or "ID3Fixer" from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app and grant the necessary permissions to access your music files.
- Select the music file that you want to edit.
- Edit the tags by filling in the correct information in the available fields.
- Save the changes made and exit the app.
Pros:
- Third-party music tag editors offer all the features required to edit metadata tags thoroughly.
- They can edit all metadata tags, including album, artwork, and year of release.
- The apps are user-friendly and do not require advanced tech skills to use.
Cons:
- Some third-party music tag editors may not be free to use, and you may have to pay a subscription fee to access all their features.
- Some apps may not work with certain file formats, limiting their capabilities.
- There is a risk of losing the original metadata tags of your music files if the app malfunctions.
Why Can’t I Change the Unknown Artist on Android?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to change the unknown artist on Android. Here are three of the main reasons and how to fix them:
- Poorly organized music files: If your music files are poorly organized, your Android device may have trouble recognizing them. Ensure that your music files are well-organized in a coherent file structure.
- Restricted permission: Some music player apps may not have the necessary permissions to edit metadata tags on your device. Ensure that you grant the app the necessary permissions to access your device’s files.
- Incompatible file format: Some music players may not support particular file formats, preventing you from editing the tags. Ensure that your music files are in a compatible file format.
Additional Tips
- Make a backup of your original music files before making any changes to avoid losing valuable metadata.
- Ensure that you type the correct spelling of the artist’s name to avoid further confusion.
- Choose a reliable tag editor app or software to edit your music files.
- Regularly maintain your music library by organizing your files effectively.
5 FAQs about Changing the Unknown Artist on Android
Q1. Can I change the unknown artist on Android using Google Play Music?
A1. Yes, you can change the unknown artist on Android using Google Play Music by editing the track information of your music files.
Q2. Can I change the unknown artist on Android without using a third-party app?
A2. Yes, you can change the unknown artist on Android without using a third-party app by using the built-in file explorer or music player app.
Q3. Do automatic tag editors work effectively in changing the unknown artist on Android?
A3. Yes, automatic tag editors work effectively in changing the unknown artist on Android, but the success rate depends on the app and the database of music information.
Q4. Can I use a music tag editor to edit music files in different file formats?
A4. No, some music tag editors may not work correctly with certain file formats. Verify that the app you use supports the file format you’re editing.
Q5. Is it possible to edit the unknown artist tag of multiple music files at once?
A5. Yes, it is possible to edit multiple music files’ unknown artist tags at once, especially when using automatic tag editors, file explorer apps, or batch edits in music players.
Conclusion
Unknown artist labels can be frustrating, but with the above methods, changing them on Android is possible. Whether you prefer using a music player app, automatic tag editors, file explorer apps, or music tag editors, the choice depends on your preference and the ease involved in the process. Always ensure that you maintain a well-organized music library, and make backup copies of your files before making any changes.