iOS 26 did not impress me, however this Apple Music function gained me over

Apple lastly refreshed the design language of all its working programs, together with iOS, at WWDC 2025. The corporate unveiled its new Liquid Glass design, introducing a visible theme with transparency and glass-like shine results. However that wasn’t all — iOS 26 additionally comes packed with new features underneath the hood, together with upgrades to the Messages app, a redesigned Cellphone app, and a set of recent Apple Intelligence options.

I have been utilizing the iOS 26 beta for fairly a while now, and whereas I anticipated the brand new design and flashy options to impress me, particularly since I’ve lengthy wished a design refresh on my iPhone, iOS 26 has didn’t wow me thus far. The early construct is riddled with bugs and fairly unstable, which is to be anticipated from a beta, however I hope Apple improves issues in upcoming developer releases.

That mentioned, one function that is stored me hooked on the brand new iOS model is surprisingly discovered within the Apple Music app, and it is referred to as AutoMix. Apple demoed the function briefly through the keynote, however I didn’t pay a lot consideration to it on the time. After attempting it on my iPhone, although, I would say it is in all probability the perfect iOS 26 function thus far.

AutoMix in Apple Music is iOS 26’s standout function

It is like having an AI DJ in your pocket

Tune transitions are one of the missed facets of music apps. Most apps like YouTube Music and Spotify provide primary options like gapless playback, the place songs instantly swap with out pause, and crossfade, which fades out one monitor whereas fading within the subsequent.

With iOS 26, Apple has launched a brand new function within the Music app that adjustments this. It is an AI-powered software referred to as AutoMix, which makes use of AI to match the beat of the upcoming monitor and blends it with the at the moment taking part in tune on the good second, very like a DJ would. Whereas it could sound easy, experiencing it firsthand is one thing else.

As seen within the video above, AutoMix works fairly in a different way in comparison with crossfade. Sure, you’ll sacrifice the final 15–20 seconds of the present tune, however the clean transition to the following monitor creates a surprisingly immersive expertise.

I have been utilizing this function on my iPhone ever since putting in iOS 26. Whereas there are some bugs, and AutoMix doesn’t kick in each single time, when it does, it genuinely offers me chills.

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How will you attempt AutoMix in Apple Music proper now?

You may want iOS 26 and a appropriate iPhone to attempt it

Sadly, since AutoMix is a part of the brand new Apple Music options introduced with iOS 26, the one strategy to attempt it proper now could be by putting in the Developer Beta. Nonetheless, the beta remains to be fairly buggy, and I would not advocate putting in it in your major gadget. Apple is predicted to launch a public beta of iOS 26 quickly, which needs to be extra secure, so chances are you’ll need to attempt it then.

The beauty of AutoMix, although, is that though Apple advertises it as an “AI” function, it is not restricted to solely iPhones that assist Apple Intelligence (iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Professional). AutoMix might be accessible on all iOS 26-compatible iPhones when the replace launches in its secure model later this yr.

For those who’re working a beta proper now and need to attempt AutoMix, right here’s tips on how to allow it in your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down, faucet Apps, then head to Music.

   

3. Faucet Tune Transitions and choose AutoMix.

   

Now, once you play music in your iPhone and a monitor is queued, your iPhone will seamlessly combine into the following one, similar to a DJ.

With each iOS replace, Apple brings new options to its first-party apps, and though AutoMix did not get a lot hype initially, it appears like a type of underrated options that might really appeal to extra subscribers to Apple Music. There is no phrase but on whether or not it would come to Android units, for the reason that Apple Music app is accessible on Google’s OS, however I doubt it.

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