Amid all the buzz around iOS 26’s new Liquid Glass design, Apple Music quietly picked up one of its most practical updates yet. Whether you’re a daily listener or someone who only streams occasionally, these features feel instantly useful. Instead of flashy gimmicks, almost every change in Apple Music this year focuses on real-world use—and that’s a refreshing shift.
Here’s a detailed look at all the new Apple Music features in iOS 26.
1. Pin Your Favorites for Faster Access
Apple Music now lets you pin your most-used playlists, albums, or artists to the top of your Library tab. Just long-press on the item and select Pin. You can pin up to six items in total—any combination of playlists, albums, or artists.
No more scrolling endlessly to find that one playlist you always go back to.
2. Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation Support
This one’s a game-changer if you love international music. Apple Music now shows translations beneath each line of synced lyrics, so you can finally understand what that French ballad or Korean pop song is really about. It’s still being added to more tracks, but already works on many popular ones.
Even better, Apple added lyrics pronunciation support for songs in non-Roman scripts. You’ll see Romanized versions of lyrics (Latin alphabet) so you can sing along more confidently, without mispronouncing the words. Useful if you want to get the pronunciation right or if you are learning a new language.
3. AutoMix: DJ-Style Seamless Playback
Apple Music now includes a feature called AutoMix, designed to keep the vibe going by automatically switching between songs. It lives right next to the Shuffle and Repeat buttons. When turned on, AutoMix uses AI to mix songs with time stretching and beat matching—just like a DJ would. So, instead of hard cuts between tracks, your playlist flows smoothly. For example, a fast-paced song can be stretched out and then seamlessly transitioned into a slower-paced one.
It may not suit every playlist, especially if you prefer the original pacing or mood between songs. However, for most casual listening sessions, it adds a smoother and more dynamic experience.
4. Animated Album Art on the Lock Screen
If you love little design touches, this one’s for you. Apple now supports animated album artwork on the lock screen. When you play a song, just tap the album art to view it full screen in motion. Paired with iOS 26’s Liquid Glass aesthetics, this makes music playback feel more immersive and alive.
5. Apple Music Sing Gets Better With iPhone + Apple TV
With iOS 26 and tvOS 18, your iPhone becomes a microphone for Apple Music Sing. Just connect your iPhone to an Apple TV and enjoy a more immersive karaoke experience.
Your voice will be amplified through your TV, and you can even control effects like vocals and reverb. Plus, multiple people can join the karaoke session using their iPhones, queue up songs, and react with on-screen emojis. It transforms your living room into a full-fledged karaoke party.
Everyday Features That Actually Matter
From pinning your most-played albums to understanding a song’s meaning in another language, this year’s Apple Music features feel more practical and grounded in real-world use. It’s one of the clearest examples yet of Apple using AI in a way that truly benefits the listener.
Whether you’re belting out lyrics with Apple Music Sing or letting AutoMix handle your workout playlist, this update is less about flash and more about helping you enjoy your music the way you want to.
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