Skip to content
Get packs

Guide · Open source

How to use listen1_chrome_extension: install and play music

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

listen1_chrome_extension is an open-source browser extension, published under the MIT licence, that lets you search and play music from several Chinese streaming services from one interface. This guide shows how to install it in Chrome, Edge or Firefox, how the source-switching feature works, and what limits to expect before you rely on it.

Listen 1listen1/listen1_chrome_extension · ★ 12.1k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Choose your browser route. Pick the official store link for Chrome, Edge or Firefox from the README, or use the manual route if you want to load the source yourself.
  2. 2Install the extension. Click install on the store listing, or clone the repository and load the extracted folder as an unpacked extension in Chrome.
  3. 3Build the Firefox package if needed. For Firefox from source, replace manifest.json with manifest_firefox.json, zip the project into listen1.xpi and load it in Firefox.
  4. 4Search across platforms. Open the extension and search for a song, which covers the platforms the README lists.
  5. 5Enable source switching. Use the Beta automatic source switching feature, which looks for another platform when a song's source is unavailable.
  6. 6Check the project status. Before depending on it, review the changelog and the repository activity, since the README notes the project could disappear.

What platforms does Listen 1 cover?

The README lists seven music platforms: NetEase Cloud Music (网易云音乐), QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo, bilibili, Migu and Qianqian. You search across them from one interface instead of opening each site separately.

The project was started because songs were often unavailable on one platform, which meant searching several sites to find a track.

  • 网易云音乐 (NetEase Cloud Music)
  • QQ 音乐 (QQ Music)
  • 酷狗音乐 (Kugou)
  • 酷我音乐 (Kuwo)
  • bilibili
  • 咪咕音乐 (Migu)
  • 千千音乐 (Qianqian)

Install Listen 1 in Chrome or Edge from the official store

The README recommends installing from the official store for your browser. Choose the link for your browser and follow the store's install button.

Store links are listed for Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons and Microsoft Edge Add-ons. The README thanks the maintainers of the Firefox and Edge store releases.

  • Chrome: open the Chrome Web Store listing linked in the README and click install.
  • Edge: open the Microsoft Edge Add-ons listing linked in the README and install from there.
  • Firefox: open the Firefox Add-ons listing linked in the README.

Install Listen 1 manually in Chrome from source

If you prefer not to use the store, the README describes loading the extension from a downloaded copy of the repository. The README's own install command is a git clone of the repository.

After extracting the folder, enable Developer mode if the option is hidden, then choose the extracted folder.

  • Download the project zip (the README mentions a Download ZIP button on the repository page) and extract it to a local folder.
  • Open Chrome, go to the settings menu, find More tools and open Extensions.
  • Select Load unpacked (加载已解压的扩展程序). If it does not appear, turn on Developer mode first.
  • Select the extracted folder to finish.
git clone https://github.com/listen1/listen1_chrome_extension

Package and install the Firefox version manually

The README gives manual packaging steps for Firefox. You replace the manifest, zip the project into an .xpi file and load that file in Firefox. The README does not list any prerequisites for these steps.

The steps below follow the README as written.

  • Replace manifest.json in the root folder with manifest_firefox.json.
  • Change into the project folder.
  • Create the xpi file with the zip command shown below.
  • Open Firefox and load the xpi file to install it.
cd listen1_chrome_extension zip -r ../listen1.xpi *

Use automatic source switching (Beta)

The README says that when a song's source is unavailable, the extension automatically searches other platforms for a playable source. This is marked as Beta, so expect it to be less reliable than the core search and play.

The README also notes that a Beta option for searching all platforms at once was added in an earlier update.

  • Automatic source switching is labelled Beta in the README.
  • The README mentions that the source-search platforms can be configured (支持配置自动切换源的搜索平台) in a 2021-04 update.
  • The README also lists featured playlists (精选歌单).

Know the limits before you rely on it

The README includes a 2017 notice about a DMCA takedown notice from QQ Music that led to the main code repository being temporarily closed. It says the project could disappear.

The most recent entries in the changelog are fixes for Migu playback and other issues, plus an upgrade of the Chrome extension manifest to V3. The README does not say how often the project is maintained, so check the repository's recent activity before depending on it.

  • It is not a licensed or supported service.
  • The README does not discuss availability or accounts for users outside China.
  • If something breaks, the README points to GitHub issues and an email address for the maintainers.

What people use it for

  • Searching for a song that is unavailable on one Chinese platform and finding it on another from the same interface.
  • Listening to bilibili, QQ Music or NetEase Cloud Music tracks in one player.
  • Testing the extension in Chrome or Edge from source before deciding whether to use the store version.
  • Packaging a Firefox build from the repository using the README steps.

Frequently asked questions

Is listen1_chrome_extension free?

The README says Listen 1 is open source and free, and that the project does not accept donations. It is published under the MIT licence, which is shown in the repository badge.

How do I install listen1_chrome_extension?

Use the official Chrome Web Store, Microsoft Edge Add-ons or Firefox Add-ons link from the README. For a manual install, clone the repository with git and load the extracted folder as an unpacked extension in Chrome.

Does listen1_chrome_extension work in Firefox?

Yes, the README includes a Firefox store link and manual packaging steps. The manual route replaces manifest.json with manifest_firefox.json and zips the project into an xpi file.

Which music services does Listen 1 support?

The README lists NetEase Cloud Music, QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo, bilibili, Migu and Qianqian. It does not say which platforms are available outside China.

Why is listen1_chrome_extension not working?

The README's changelog lists past fixes for playback and search on several platforms, so breakage is common across services. Check the repository's issues page, where the README points users to report problems.

What are alternatives to Listen 1?

The README names lx-music-desktop and Listen1 Electron forks as comparable projects. Those are desktop-oriented options, and this guide does not compare their features in detail.

New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week

The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.

Our verdict

Listen 1 suits people who already listen to the Chinese platforms it covers and want one player for them in Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Pick something else if you need a licensed, stable service, if you are outside China without a clear use for these catalogs, or if you need an actively supported app, since the README does not show how actively it is maintained.

Install options & downloads