Here are four Apple Music features I’ve been loving lately
Source: 9to5Mac
I’m a firm believer that Apple Music is the best music streaming service out there. Here are four features in Apple Music I’ve been loving lately that you should check out.
AutoMix
AutoMix in Apple Music is essentially a supercharged version of crossfade. It mixes one song into the next by using AI to analyze audio features and crafting a unique transition—like having your own personal DJ.
AutoMix doesn’t always get it right, but it does most of the time. When it does, it’s incredibly fun and impressive.
Pinned items
In iOS 26, Apple added a new feature that lets you pin your favorite music to the top of your Library for easier access. You can pin albums, artists, and playlists, and long‑press to customize the “Tap Action” for each pinned item. It’s a well‑executed feature that helps you keep track of your favorites as they evolve.
In my case, I keep my Apple Music Replay playlist pinned year‑round, along with my “Your Essentials” playlist. Other pinned items vary throughout the year as I cycle between different trends and favorites. If I could make one feature request, it’d be support for pinning radio stations.
iCloud Music Library
This is one of the biggest reasons I use Apple Music over Spotify. I love that I can add my own music to the Music app on my Mac and it shows up in the Music app on all my devices. This is great for music I acquire from other sources like an artist’s website, Nugs, or live performances ripped from YouTube.
All I have to do is download it on my Mac, drag it into the Music app, and it syncs everywhere.
Apple Music also includes a built-in social component that lets you see what your friends are listening to, view their playlists, and discover which of your friends have also listened to a particular album or playlist.
Honorable mention: A clean, simple focus on music
This isn’t a feature per se, but it’s something I’ve really grown to appreciate about Apple Music. Unlike Spotify, Apple Music focuses on music and music‑adjacent content like interviews and radio stations. It doesn’t try to cram podcasts, audiobooks, and even physical books into the same interface.
Wrap up
What are some of your favorite Apple Music features? If you’re not an Apple Music subscriber, you can sign up today and get three months for free. It’s also included in the lucrative Apple One bundles.