For music lovers constantly on the move, a frustrating reality has long existed: losing access to song lyrics the moment connectivity fades. Whether it’s a flight above the clouds or a remote mountain escape, the joy of singing along was often cut short. That’s changing now, with a significant update rolling out in iOS 26.2, bringing offline lyric access to Apple Music – a feature eagerly anticipated by travelers and adventurers alike.
The improvements don’t stop there. A simple yet powerful addition in iOS 26.1 allows users to effortlessly swipe left or right on the mini player to skip to the next or previous track. No more expanding the player to find those controls; music navigation is now faster and more intuitive, seamlessly integrated into your listening experience.
Apple Music is breaking down language barriers with its new Lyrics Translation feature. Now, when listening to songs in unfamiliar tongues, translations appear alongside the lyrics, revealing the song’s meaning in real-time. This feature extends even to songs using non-Roman scripts, opening up a world of musical discovery.
Struggling to pronounce lyrics in a foreign language? Apple Music now offers phonetic transliterations, converting original scripts into Roman characters. This allows you to confidently sing along, even with songs from diverse musical traditions, enhancing your connection to the music.
Introducing AutoMix, Apple Music’s built-in AI DJ. This innovative feature analyzes songs and blends them together using techniques like time stretching and beat matching, creating a continuous, uninterrupted listening experience. While initially rough around the edges, AutoMix has evolved, offering a surprisingly smooth transition between tracks.
AutoMix isn’t confined to your device anymore. With iOS 26.1, the AI DJ now extends its talents over AirPlay, seamlessly blending tracks when streaming to your HomePod mini or any other AirPlay-enabled speaker. Enjoy a dynamic, DJ-curated experience throughout your home.
For those with extensive music libraries, playlist organization can become overwhelming. Apple Music now offers playlist folders, allowing you to categorize and tame the chaos. Create nested folders for ultimate organization, easily finding the perfect playlist for any mood or occasion.
Quickly access your most-loved playlists with the new pinning feature. Just press and hold a playlist in the Music app to pin it to the top of your Library tab, mirroring the functionality found in the Messages app. Bookmark up to six favorites for instant access.
Apple Music is bringing your album art to life. Animated cover art now extends to your lock screen, offering a visually captivating experience. Tap the player on your lock screen to immerse yourself in the full-screen animation, adding a new dimension to your music enjoyment.
Stay connected to your music without even opening the app with the new iOS 26 home screen widgets. Choose from various sizes to display recently played music, regional charts, personalized recommendations, or even your favorite radio stations, all at a glance.
Turn your living room into a karaoke stage with the new Sing feature, available on iPhone with iOS 26 and Apple TV running tvOS 26. Use your iPhone as a microphone, amplified by Apple Music, for a fun and interactive karaoke experience with friends and family.
