Apple Music is quietly evolving, moving beyond simple algorithms to embrace the power of artificial intelligence. The streaming service is now experimenting with ways to let users craft personalized listening experiences with unprecedented ease.
The latest development, currently available in the iOS 26.4 beta, introduces “Playlist Playground.” This feature allows users to generate entirely new playlists simply by describing what they want to hear – a revolutionary step in music curation.
Before diving into beta software, caution is paramount. Beta versions are inherently unstable and can introduce bugs or even risk data loss. A complete iPhone backup is essential before installation, and using a secondary device for testing is always the safest approach.
To access the beta, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone. Select Beta Updates, then choose iOS 26 Developer Beta. After a refresh, iOS 26.4 Beta 1 should appear, ready for download and installation.
Once installed, the magic begins within the Music app. Tap the Library tab, then the “New Playlist” button. Look for the Playlist Playground option – a gateway to AI-powered music discovery.
Playlist Playground responds to natural language. Tell it your desires: specific artists, genres, or even abstract moods. Apple provides starting prompts like “hip-hop party songs,” but the true potential lies in crafting your own unique requests.
Initially, AI-generated playlists contain 25 songs, offering a solid foundation for your listening session. These playlists aren’t static; you can customize them further, adjusting the tracklist to perfection.
Beyond the music itself, these AI creations are fully integrated into Apple Music. You can edit the title, cover art, and description, and share your personalized playlists with friends or showcase them on your profile.
For those hesitant to install beta software, alternatives exist. Integrating Apple Music with ChatGPT offers a similar experience, and third-party apps like PlaylistAI provide another avenue for AI-driven playlist creation.
PlaylistAI, while offering a subscription option, also features a free tier allowing quick playlist generation, even from visual inspiration like music festival posters. The future of music listening is becoming increasingly personalized and intuitive.
