iOS 26 is poised to be monumental for Apple Music aficionados, with the Music app undergoing its most comprehensive update in years. Here’s a rundown of everything new heading to Apple Music in iOS 26.
## AutoMix like a DJ
AutoMix is a fresh feature from Apple Music that mimics a DJ, smoothly and skillfully transitioning from one track to another.
Here’s how Apple puts it:
> Apple Music elevates the listening experience with AutoMix, blending one song into the next, just like a DJ would. By leveraging AI to assess audio characteristics, it creates distinctive transitions between songs with time stretching and beat matching, resulting in uninterrupted playback and an exceptionally seamless listening experience.
You can always disable AutoMix if it’s not your preference, but if the initial social feedback is any sign, it could be a highlight of iOS 26.
## Animated Lock Screen Artwork
Apple Music has traditionally provided expansive album artwork, which in some instances is even animated. However, it’s consistently been restricted to the Music app.
In iOS 26, though, full-screen album art will be available on your iPhone’s Lock Screen—with animation capabilities as well.
It’s a stunning new aesthetic and enhances the iPhone’s always-on display like never before.
## Pinned Music
Want immediate access to your favorite music? Or need a spot to save albums someone suggested to you?
For the first time, Apple Music in iOS 26 enables you to pin music to the top of your library.
You can pin albums, artists, playlists—whatever best fits your needs.
Among all Apple apps, Music has long excelled in offering impressive Home Screen widgets. This trend continues in iOS 26, featuring three brand new widget options:
– Pins (medium)
– Pins (large)
– Live Radio (large)
The first two correspond to the music you’ve pinned in your library, while the third provides quick access to the six live hosted radio stations available on Apple Music.
## Fully Native Apple Music Replay
Apple Music Replay serves as Apple’s version of Spotify Wrapped, but it has historically had a significant drawback. Rather than integrating Replay into the Music app, it has entirely resided on the web.
Last year, for the first time, you could access your Replay within the Music app, but it was still essentially a web view.
With iOS 26, Apple Music Replay will be entirely native within the Music app. So whether you’re checking your year-end recap or reviewing your month-by-month stats available year-round, Replay promises to offer a smoother experience than ever.
## Folder Creation
The Music app on Mac has long allowed users to organize playlists into folders, and while those folders sync to iPhone, creating or editing them on iOS was previously not possible.
Thankfully, iOS and iPadOS 26 introduce full support for the creation and modification of playlist folders. As music libraries expand, folders can serve as a fantastic method for organizing your playlists.
## Lyric Translation and Pronunciation
Apple is rolling out various significant systemwide live translation features in iOS 26, with the Music app benefiting from lyric translation.
Within the lyrics screen of Apple Music, iOS 26 will offer live translation alongside the original lyrics to help you understand the song’s message.
Moreover, Music will provide phonetic assistance so you can learn precisely how to pronounce lyrics in languages you’re not fluent in.
Which new Apple Music features in iOS 26 are you most eager about? Share your thoughts in the comments.
