AutoMix function: Why Apple Music now blends somewhat strangely
With iOS 26, Apple is introducing a new way to mix music. However, not all users like it.
User listening.
(Image: Ivan_Shenets/Shutterstock.com)
Kate Bush's “Running Up That Hill” transitions confusingly into Limp Bizkit's “My Way.” Such oddities and others have been present since iOS 26. The reason is a new function called AutoMix, which Apple has integrated into Apple Music. It is intended to ensure that one song seamlessly transitions into the next. Apple is thus supplementing its previous crossfade function, which handled this less intelligently.
Special function for Apple Music
AutoMix is only available if you are an Apple Music subscriber (10.99 euros per month). The company promises a “dynamic transition between subscription content” that ensures a “seamless listening experience.” As mentioned, this works sometimes well and sometimes not – the adaptation to tempo or melody is not always successful for the AI-powered system and can even be disturbing if it involves songs you cherish.
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Fortunately, it is easy to turn off AutoMix if it has been activated. To achieve this, go to the system settings on your iPhone and select “Apps” and then “Music.” There you will also find the “Track Transitions” section. Here you can choose between AutoMix and Crossfade, or disable both entirely. If you don't have a subscription, AutoMix is grayed out.
No setting options
There are no further settings for AutoMix; it is either active or not. The crossfades can at least be set in terms of duration using a slider in seconds – from one to 12. AutoMix can also be turned on and off while using Apple Music. To achieve this, there is a small icon in the playback view with two circles (one thin and one thick) that serves as a switch.
AutoMix does not act entirely unintelligently when handling songs: if you play an entire album in the correct order, the function is sensibly deactivated so that the record can be enjoyed as the artists intended. AutoMix is also inactive when genres or tempos are “incompatible.” Even tracks uploaded to the music library and songs purchased from the iTunes Store are not covered, which may be a shame.
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