How to use the new DJ-like AutoMix feature in Apple Music

Learn how to turn on and use the new AutoMix feature on Apple Music to seamlessly blend songs and create smooth, DJ-style transitions between tracks.

AutoMix is available in the built-in Music app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac running the new iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26 operating systems. It does not work in the Music app on the Apple TV, Apple Watch, HomePod, or Android phones.

AutoMix also requires an Apple Music subscription. It doesn’t work when AirPlaying music or when playing albums or certain genres. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to turn on and use AutoMix for seamless transitions from one song to another.

Turn on and use the Automix DJ-effect on Apple Music

1) Open the Music app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and play a song from your library or playlist.

2) On the iPhone or iPad, pull up the Now Playing screen and tap the Up Next icon. On the Mac, simply click the Up Next icon at the bottom of the Music app.

3) Hit the AutoMix icon (it resembles two overlapping turntables) to turn it on. While here, check that you have at least one track queued up to play next. You can also hit the AutoPlay infinity icon (∞) to have Apple Music automatically play similar songs.

4) Wait until the currently playing song is about to end (or manually drag the progress bar to the right), and AutoMix should seamlessly mix it with the next track in your queue, creating a perfect DJ-like transition. While this is happening, you’ll see a “Mixing” message below the scrubber. At the same time, cover art for both tracks will fade into one another, creating a visually pleasing experience.

The AutoMix feature works the same way on the Mac. As evidenced by the screenshot below, you’ll see a tiny AutoMix icon at the bottom of the Now Playing floating bar when AutoMix is performing a transition.

Manage AutoMix from settings

Aside from the in-app control, you can also toggle AutoMix in the Settings app.

iOS 26 and iPadOS 26: Go to Settings > Apps > Music > Song Transitions, then turn on Song Transitions and select AutoMix.

macOS 26: Open the Music app and click the Music > Settings menu and select the Playback tab. Now tick the Song Transitions box, then click the menu next to Transition Style and choose the AutoMix option.

The difference between AutoMix and Crossfade

The crossfade feature ensures there’s no gap between two songs. You can set the crossfade duration in the Music app between 1 and 12 seconds. However, certain tracks that start or end with a long silence won’t work well with the crossfade function. In contrast, AutoMix leverages AI and machine learning to blend the end of one song seamlessly into the start of the next track for a smooth DJ-like transition.

According to Apple, AutoMix “crafts unique transitions between songs with time stretching and beat matching to deliver continuous playback and an even more seamless listening experience.” Importantly, AutoMix requires an Apple Music subscription. On the other hand, the crossfade function also works with your personal music collection that you have synced from a computer to your iPhone.

What do you think of the new AutoMix feature in iOS 26? Is that something you may be eager to try out, do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/08/29/how-to-use-automix-apple-music/