What is Tubidy?
Tubidy is a free music search and download site. Search any song or artist, play it in your browser, then save it as an MP3 audio file or an MP4 video. There is no app to install and no account to create, so it works the same on a cheap Android phone, an iPhone or a laptop.
How to download MP3 songs on Tubidy
- Type the song title or artist in the search box. You can also paste a YouTube link.
- Tap the song you want. Check the length so you get the right version (single, remix or full mix).
- Choose MP3 for audio or MP4 for video, then tap download.
On Android the file goes to the Downloads folder. On iPhone, Safari saves it in the Files app, under Downloads.
MP3 or MP4: which should you pick?
| Format | Best for | Size of a 4-minute song |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 128kbps | Saving data and phone storage | About 4 MB |
| MP3 320kbps | Headphones and car speakers | About 9 MB |
| MP4 360p | Music videos on a small screen | About 15–25 MB |
| MP4 720p | Watching on a bigger screen | About 40–70 MB |
If you are on mobile data, MP3 is almost always the better choice. Save MP4 for Wi-Fi.
Popular music on Tubidy
People search Tubidy most for Amapiano, Afrobeats, Gospel, Gqom, Maskandi, Hip-Hop and the latest chart hits. Use the Browse button to explore moods and genres, or check the top chart above, which updates every day.
Is Tubidy safe?
The site runs over HTTPS and never asks for your name, phone number or payment details. Only download files that end in .mp3 or .mp4. If a page asks you to install an app, an APK or a "player update", close it — Tubidy never needs one.
A pocket guide to South African sound
Mzansi doesn't just follow music trends — it starts them. If you're new to a genre, or you just want to know what to type into the search box, here's a quick map of the sounds people search for most on Tubidy.
- Amapiano
- Born in Gauteng's townships in the mid-2010s. Listen for the deep, bouncing log drum, airy piano chords and long, patient build-ups. Tracks often run past six minutes, so check the length before you save.
- Try searching: amapiano log drum mix
- Gqom
- Durban's dark, broken-beat dance sound. Heavy kicks, sparse vocals and a rhythm that feels like it's always about to trip — that's the point.
- Try searching: gqom Durban
- Kwaito
- The 1990s township sound that laid the groundwork for much of what came after. Slowed-down house beats, chanted hooks and plenty of attitude.
- Try searching: kwaito classics
- Maskandi
- Zulu guitar music built around fast, picked melodies and storytelling. Perfect for long drives and Sunday afternoons.
- Try searching: maskandi guitar
- Gospel
- From massed choirs to solo worship leaders, South African gospel is some of the most-searched music on the site. Live recordings usually sound fullest at 320kbps.
- Try searching: gospel choir live
- Afrobeats & Afro house
- West African pop and soulful, percussive house from closer to home. Great for parties and the gym.
- Try searching: afro house mix
Find the exact version you want
One song can have a dozen uploads: the single, the radio edit, a live take, a remix and a lyric video with a long intro. These small habits save you from downloading the wrong one.
- Add a word that describes the version. Type live, remix, extended, radio edit or lyrics after the song name.
- Search artist first, then song. "Artist – song" finds official uploads more often than the song name alone.
- Include the featured artist. Many hits are collaborations. Adding "ft." and the second name narrows things down quickly.
- Check the length. A 3-minute single and a 9-minute DJ mix can share a title. The duration on each result tells you which is which.
- Already have the link? Paste it straight into the search box. You skip the search and go right to the download options.
How far does your data go?
Bundles aren't cheap, so it helps to know what you're spending. Here's roughly how many 4-minute songs fit into 1 GB:
| Quality | Size per song | Songs per 1 GB |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 128kbps | About 4 MB | About 260 |
| MP3 320kbps | About 9–10 MB | About 100 |
| MP4 360p video | About 20 MB | About 50 |
Rule of thumb: download at 128kbps on mobile data for phone speakers and cheap earphones. Save 320kbps for Wi-Fi, and for songs you'll play through good headphones or a car sound system.
Build a playlist that works without signal
A good offline playlist is the difference between a long taxi ride and a great one. It also keeps the music going when the network drops or the power goes off.
- Make one folder per mood. Something like Morning, Gym, Sunday and Party. Most music apps can play a whole folder in order or on shuffle.
- Rename as you go. Change long file names to "Artist – Song". Future you will thank you when you're scrolling with one hand.
- Use your SD card. On Android, move the Downloads folder's music to the memory card to keep your phone's own storage free for apps and photos.
- Back up your favourites. Copy the folder to a computer or a flash drive every few months. Phones get lost; good playlists shouldn't.
Tips for older and budget phones
- Open Tubidy in Chrome or your phone's own browser rather than inside a social media app. Downloads save more reliably.
- If a download stops halfway, check your free storage first. A full phone is the most common cause.
- Add Tubidy to your home screen. It opens like an app, loads faster on repeat visits and takes up very little space.
- Close other apps that are downloading or updating in the background while you save music.
Got a song stuck in your head but only remember a line or two? Type the words you remember into the search box. More often than not, the right track is in the first few results.