iOS 26 did not impress me, however this Apple Music function gained 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 collection 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 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 in the course of the keynote, however I didn’t pay a lot consideration to it on the time. After making an attempt it on my iPhone, although, I might say it is in all probability the very best 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

Music transitions are one of the vital neglected features of music apps. Most apps like YouTube Music and Spotify supply fundamental 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 modifications this. It is an AI-powered instrument 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 enjoying music on the excellent second, very similar to a DJ would. Whereas it could sound easy, experiencing it firsthand is one thing else.

As seen within the video above, AutoMix works fairly otherwise in comparison with crossfade. Sure, you’ll sacrifice the final 15–20 seconds of the present music, however the clean transition to the subsequent 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 are you going to strive AutoMix in Apple Music proper now?

You will want iOS 26 and a suitable iPhone to strive it

Sadly, since AutoMix is a part of the brand new Apple Music options introduced with iOS 26, the one option to strive it proper now could be by putting in the Developer Beta. Nevertheless, the beta remains to be fairly buggy, and I would not advocate putting in it in your major system. Apple is predicted to launch a public beta of iOS 26 quickly, which needs to be extra steady, so you could wish to strive it then.

The beauty of AutoMix, although, is that regardless that 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 obtainable on all iOS 26-compatible iPhones when the replace launches in its steady model later this 12 months.

For those who’re operating a beta proper now and wish to strive AutoMix, right here’s easy methods 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, once you play music in your iPhone and a monitor 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 regardless that AutoMix did not get a lot hype initially, it seems like a type of underrated options that would really entice extra subscribers to Apple Music. There is not any phrase but on whether or not it should come to Android gadgets, because the Apple Music app is obtainable on Google’s OS, however I doubt it.

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