TL;DR
- Google Lyria 3 new ai inside the Gemini app. It generates original 30-second songs from text, photos or videos
- Built by Google DeepMind. It auto-creates lyrics, vocals, melody and even album art
- Available free on desktop for users 18+, mobile coming soon
- Every track carries a SynthID watermark to identify AI-generated content
- Google won’t copy specific artists. It creates something inspired by a mood or genre instead
- Biggest winners: content creators, podcasters, social media marketers
- Apple also launched an AI music feature this week. But it only curates playlists. It doesn’t create music
Music used to take years to learn. Now it takes a sentence.
Google just launched Lyria 3 inside its Gemini app and it’s one of the more quietly significant AI releases of 2026. You type a prompt or upload a photo and within seconds. You get a 30-second original song, complete with lyrics, vocals and a full instrumental arrangement. No studio. No instruments. No music degree required.
I’ve been following AI tools closely for a while now and this one feels different. Here’s why it matters.
What Is Google Lyria 3?
Lyria 3 is Google DeepMind’s most advanced music generation model. Now built directly into the Gemini app. It lets anyone not just musicians create original tracks using nothing but a text description, a photo or even a short video clip.
You could type something like: “An upbeat Afrobeat track for a summer road trip.” Gemini processes that prompt and returns a fully produced 30-second song melody, beat, lyrics and all.
What makes Lyria 3 a step up from earlier versions is that you no longer have to write your own lyrics. The model generates them automatically based on your prompt. You also get direct control over style, vocals, tempo and mood. It even generates album artwork alongside the track.
The feature is currently available for free on desktop for users 18 and older, with mobile rollout coming soon.
How It Actually Works
The process is simple:
- Text prompt — Describe a genre, mood, memory, or vibe
- Image or video upload — Drop in a photo and Gemini scores a matching soundtrack
- Style controls — Adjust tempo, vocal style and genre within the prompt
- Output — A 30-second track with auto-generated lyrics and music
Every track generated by Lyria 3 is embedded with a SynthID watermark. An invisible digital signature developed by Google DeepMind. This means AI-generated music can be identified and traced back to its origin. Which is a big deal for copyright and authenticity reasons.
Google has also been careful about artist imitation. If your prompt includes a specific artist’s name. Gemini won’t copy their voice or style directly. Instead it creates something inspired by that mood or genre. The tool is designed for original expression not reproduction.
How Lyria 3 Could Change the Music Industry
This is where things get interesting and a little complicated.
For content creators, it’s a game-changer. If you run a YouTube channel, podcast or post Reels and TikToks. You know the headache of finding royalty-free background music. Lyria 3 solves that entirely. You describe the vibe you want and you get a custom track that fits your content. No licensing fees, no copyright strikes.
For indie artists and hobbyists, it lowers the barrier to entry. Someone with a creative idea but no production budget can now bring a musical concept to life in seconds. That’s genuinely new.
For the traditional music industry, it raises serious questions. Labels and professional composers have already been watching AI music tools like Suno and Udio with concern. Google bringing this directly into a mainstream app used by hundreds of millions of people accelerates that pressure significantly. The music industry shifted from litigation to licensing partnerships with AI companies recently but the pace of adoption may outrun those agreements.
Google’s integration of Lyria 3 also makes it the first major tech platform to bundle music generation into a general-purpose AI assistant. OpenAI and Anthropic are focused on text and reasoning. Google is building a creative production suite. That strategic difference matters.
Apple’s Approach: A Quick Contrast
Apple also made moves this week with “Playlist Playground” in iOS 26.4, which uses Apple Intelligence to generate 25-song playlists from text prompts. But Apple is curating existing songs, not creating new ones. It’s a discovery tool, not a creation tool. The distinction is significant. Google is playing in a completely different league here.
Who Benefits Most Right Now
- Content creators making YouTube videos, Shorts, Reels or podcasts.
- Social media marketers needing quick custom audio for branded content.
- Bloggers and website owners wanting background music for video content.
- Casual users who want a fun, personalized way to express a memory or feeling.
- Small businesses that can’t afford custom music production.
FAQ
Is Google Lyria 3 free?
Yes, currently free inside the Gemini app for users 18 and older.
Can I use Lyria 3 music on YouTube without copyright issues?
Google designed Lyria 3 for original expression and all tracks are SynthID watermarked. However, YouTube’s exact monetization policies for AI-generated audio are still evolving always check current guidelines before publishing.
Will AI replace musicians?
Unlikely in the traditional sense. Lyria 3 is best for short, functional tracks not full albums or emotionally nuanced compositions. Think of it as a tool that helps more people make music, not one that replaces artists entirely.
Is Lyria 3 available on mobile?
Desktop first, with mobile rollout expected in the coming days.
Sources
- Google DeepMind – Lyria 3 Official Page: https://deepmind.google/models/lyria/
- Music Business Worldwide – Google Launches Lyria 3: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/google-just-launched-lyria-3
- The Verge – Google’s AI Music Maker: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/880584/google-gemini-ai-music-maker-lyria-3-beta
- Mashable – Google Introduces Lyria 3: https://mashable.com/article/google-releases-lyria-3-ai-music-generator-tool-gemini
- TechBuzz – Google Gemini Gets AI Music Powers: https://www.techbuzz.ai/articles/google-s-gemini-app-now-generates-music-with-lyria-3
- 9to5Google – Gemini App Rolling Out Music Generation: https://9to5google.com/2026/02/18/gemini-app-music-lyria-3/
