Apple Music is set to enhance its playlist capabilities with a new feature that utilizes artificial intelligence. The upcoming iOS 26.4 update, currently in beta testing, will introduce a tool known as Playlist Playground, allowing users to create personalized playlists directly within the app.
Downloading and Installing iOS 26.4
For those eager to explore the new features, it's important to note that beta versions of iOS are not fully polished and may contain bugs. Therefore, it is advisable to back up your device before proceeding. To install iOS 26.4, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone, select Beta Updates > iOS 26 Developer Beta, and wait for the update to appear.
Creating AI-Generated Playlists in Apple Music
Once you have iOS 26.4 installed, open the Music app and tap on the Library tab. Here, you will find the New Playlist option, where you can access the Playlist Playground feature. This feature enables you to instruct the AI on your music preferences, whether that involves specific artists, songs, or moods. Apple provides some initial prompts like "upbeat dance tracks," but users are encouraged to create their own unique requests.
AI-generated playlists will typically consist of 25 songs, and users can further customize them by editing titles, cover images, and descriptions. These playlists can also be shared with friends or showcased on your Apple Music profile, similar to traditional playlists.
Exploring AI-Generated Playlists Without iOS 26.4
For those not ready to install the beta version, there are alternative methods to create AI-generated playlists. Utilizing the ChatGPT integration or third-party applications like PlaylistAI can offer similar functionality. PlaylistAI provides various prompts and can even create playlists based on music festival themes, allowing users to generate playlists without a subscription.