iOS 26 did not impress me, however this Apple Music characteristic received me over

Apple lastly refreshed the design language of all its working methods, 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 below the hood, together with upgrades to the Messages app, a redesigned Telephone 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 needed a design refresh on my iPhone, iOS 26 has did not wow me up to now. 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 stated, one characteristic that is stored me hooked on the brand new iOS model is surprisingly discovered within the Apple Music app, and it is known as AutoMix. Apple demoed the characteristic briefly throughout 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 most likely the most effective iOS 26 characteristic up to now.

AutoMix in Apple Music is iOS 26’s standout characteristic

It is like having an AI DJ in your pocket

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

With iOS 26, Apple has launched a brand new characteristic within the Music app that modifications this. It is an AI-powered device known as AutoMix, which makes use of AI to match the beat of the upcoming observe and blends it with the at present taking part in music on the good second, very like a DJ would. Whereas it might sound easy, experiencing it firsthand is one thing else.

As seen within the video above, AutoMix works fairly in another way in comparison with crossfade. Sure, you’ll sacrifice the final 15–20 seconds of the present music, however the easy transition to the subsequent observe creates a surprisingly immersive expertise.

I have been utilizing this characteristic 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 provides me chills.

Associated

How to instantly boost your sound quality on Apple Music

Simply watch out whenever you select most high quality.

How are you going to attempt AutoMix in Apple Music proper now?

You will 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 suggest putting in it in your major machine. Apple is predicted to launch a public beta of iOS 26 quickly, which ought to be extra secure, so you could wish to attempt it then.

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

For those who’re operating a beta proper now and wish to attempt AutoMix, right here’s the right way to allow it in your iPhone:

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

   

3. Faucet Music Transitions and choose AutoMix.

   

Now, whenever you play music in your iPhone and a observe is queued, your iPhone will seamlessly combine into the subsequent 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 kind of underrated options that would truly appeal to extra subscribers to Apple Music. There is not any phrase but on whether or not it would come to Android units, because the Apple Music app is offered on Google’s OS, however I doubt it.

Associated

Apple Music is better than Spotify and it’s not even close

Within the battle of the music streamers, Apple Music comes out forward of Spotify in essential methods