Apple Music has a number of new options in iOS 26, however AutoMix might be going to be the one you discover instantly. It lets the app seamlessly transition from one track to the subsequent through the use of a number of the methods {that a} DJ may make use of. You are going to discover that one thing is completely different about Apple Music’s observe switching immediately as a result of AutoMix is enabled by default. I’ve used it every single day for 3 weeks now, and I’ve combined emotions about it.
What precisely is Apple Music’s AutoMix?
Apple says AutoMix makes use of AI to investigate audio options and “crafts distinctive transitions between songs with time stretching and beat matching to ship steady playback and an much more seamless listening expertise.” That is mainly what a DJ does after they’re performing reside. It could possibly be cool to have your personal private DJ constructed into your streaming service, however the ends in Apple Music fluctuate from fairly good to completely off-putting.
Why AutoMix is a combined bag
Credit score: Apple
Whether or not you go to a membership or a reside live performance, most good DJs will obsess over particulars akin to observe order, the vibe of the room, what sort of a temper they are going for, and rather more. Which means that your pleasant neighborhood DJ is pondering loads in regards to the form of expertise you wish to have and it is a delicate stability between elevating the vitality of the room excessive sufficient to get everybody dancing, however not so excessive that everybody’s exhausted inside quarter-hour. They’d additionally think about giving folks a brief breather with mellow songs so that folks can take a breath and get refreshments. One of the best DJs will learn the room and guarantee that you’ve got a great time.
AutoMix generally feels prefer it’s a very good DJ who’s made the proper set checklist only for you. When it really works nicely, tracks mix into each other and also you by no means really feel misplaced. I’m a fan of steady playback, and when it really works, AutoMix delivers spectacularly. Nonetheless, not like a great DJ, AutoMix does not care a lot for observe order and tries to mix songs it doesn’t matter what. You probably have a high-energy track adopted by a slower one, AutoMix will decelerate the tip of the quick track in order that it matches the beat of the slower one coming subsequent. It additionally hastens gradual songs when the subsequent observe is a sooner one, which sounds comically dangerous at occasions.
Personally, I do not wish to take heed to music at 0.75x or 1.5x speeds, except I am particularly in search of out a exercise combine. AutoMix aggressively applies its beat-matching algorithm to each transition and actually attracts consideration to itself. In its present state, AutoMix is a bit too aggressive on sure transitions, and I hope Apple tones it down within the days main as much as iOS 26’s steady launch this fall.
What do you suppose up to now?
It is a helpful characteristic for sure kinds of playlists the place tracks have an analogous “vibe,” but it surely struggles when your playlists have wildly various kinds of songs. I’ve a behavior of curating playlists rigorously, in order that the sounds on the finish of a track match these at first of the subsequent one, and AutoMix did not work nicely with any of these playlists. By mixing the tip of 1 observe with the beginning of the subsequent, AutoMix undid plenty of my exhausting work. I actually would not thoughts utilizing it with playlists that I routinely play on shuffle mode, however not with personally curated playlists. The great factor is that Apple has disabled AutoMix for albums and “some genres,” so you do not have to fret about AI ruining your favourite masterpieces.
allow or disable AutoMix in Apple Music
Credit score: Pranay Parab
Happily, it is fairly straightforward to allow or disable AutoMix in iOS 26. For starters, you possibly can flip AutoMix on or off by opening the Music app and tapping the mini participant that shows the at the moment enjoying track. As soon as the participant expands, faucet the three strains button within the bottom-right nook of the display screen. This reveals the Proceed Enjoying display screen that reveals the track queue. Above the observe checklist, you will see 4 buttons: Shuffle, Repeat, Autoplay (the infinity image), and AutoMix (the 2 circles button). You may faucet the AutoMix button to toggle it.
If you happen to’re completely finished with Apple Music’s AutoMix characteristic in iOS 26, this is methods to eliminate it. Go to Settings > Apps > Music > Tune Transitions, and disable Tune Transitions. This can let songs play out usually. If you happen to’d slightly preserve gapless playback with out the AI DJ, then you possibly can preserve Tune Transitions enabled, and choose Crossfade on the identical web page. Apple permits you to decide the length of the crossfade, which you may desire over AutoMix.
