iOS 26 did not impress me, however ...

Apple lastly refreshed the design language of all its working methods, together with iOS, at WWDC 2025. The corporate unveiled its new Liquid Glass design, introducing a visible theme with transparency and glass-like shine results. However that wasn’t all — iOS 26 additionally comes packed with new features underneath the hood, together with upgrades to the Messages app, a redesigned Cellphone app, and a set of recent Apple Intelligence options.

I have been utilizing the iOS 26 beta for fairly a while now, and whereas I anticipated the brand new design and flashy options to impress me, particularly since I’ve lengthy wished a design refresh on my iPhone, iOS 26 has did not wow me up to now. The early construct is riddled with bugs and fairly unstable, which is to be anticipated from a beta, however I hope Apple improves issues in upcoming developer releases.

That stated, one characteristic that is saved me hooked on the brand new iOS model is surprisingly discovered within the Apple Music app, and it is referred to as AutoMix. Apple demoed the characteristic briefly in the course of the keynote, however I didn’t pay a lot consideration to it on the time. After attempting it on my iPhone, although, I might say it is in all probability the perfect iOS 26 characteristic up to now.

AutoMix in Apple Music is iOS 26’s standout characteristic

It is like having an AI DJ in your pocket

Track transitions are probably the most neglected elements of music apps. Most apps like YouTube Music and Spotify supply primary options like gapless playback, the place songs instantly change with out pause, and crossfade, which fades out one observe whereas fading within the subsequent.

With iOS 26, Apple has launched a brand new characteristic within the Music app that modifications this. It is an AI-powered instrument referred to as AutoMix, which makes use of AI to match the beat of the upcoming observe and blends it with the presently taking part in music on the excellent second, very like a DJ would. Whereas it might sound easy, experiencing it firsthand is one thing else.

As seen within the video above, AutoMix works fairly otherwise in comparison with crossfade. Sure, you’ll sacrifice the final 15–20 seconds of the present music, however the easy transition to the subsequent observe creates a surprisingly immersive expertise.

I have been utilizing this characteristic on my iPhone ever since putting in iOS 26. Whereas there are some bugs, and AutoMix doesn’t kick in each single time, when it does, it genuinely offers me chills.

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How are you going to attempt AutoMix in Apple Music proper now?

You may want iOS 26 and a appropriate iPhone to attempt it

Sadly, since AutoMix is a part of the brand new Apple Music options introduced with iOS 26, the one technique to attempt it proper now could be by putting in the Developer Beta. Nonetheless, the beta continues to be fairly buggy, and I would not suggest putting in it in your major gadget. Apple is anticipated to launch a public beta of iOS 26 quickly, which must be extra steady, so you could need to attempt it then.

The beauty of AutoMix, although, is that though Apple advertises it as an “AI” characteristic, it is not restricted to solely iPhones that assist Apple Intelligence (iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Professional). AutoMix will probably be obtainable on all iOS 26-compatible iPhones when the replace launches in its steady model later this 12 months.

In case you’re working a beta proper now and need to attempt AutoMix, right here’s tips on how to allow it in your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down, faucet Apps, then head to Music.

   

3. Faucet Track Transitions and choose AutoMix.

   

Now, once you play music in your iPhone and a observe is queued, your iPhone will seamlessly combine into the subsequent one, similar to a DJ.

With each iOS replace, Apple brings new options to its first-party apps, and though AutoMix did not get a lot hype initially, it seems like a kind of underrated options that would truly appeal to extra subscribers to Apple Music. There isn’t any phrase but on whether or not it is going to come to Android units, for the reason that Apple Music app is out there on Google’s OS, however I doubt it.

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