Apple Music is preparing to launch an artificial intelligence-powered playlist generator, allowing users to create customized playlists using text prompts, according to a beta version of iOS 26.4 released to developers on Monday.
Dubbed “Playlist Playground,” the feature enables users to generate playlists based on descriptions of moods, genres, or themes. Apple Music offers pre-set suggestions, including “morning coffee music,” “hip-hop party songs,” and “disco songs that defined the 1970s,” but users can also input custom prompts, according to MacRumors.
The AI generates a playlist of 25 songs with a custom title, and users can further refine the results with additional text prompts. Playlist Playground also allows users to select a cover image and description for their AI-generated playlists. The feature is accessible within the Apple Music app by navigating to the Library section and selecting the “+” button to create a new playlist.
Playlist Playground is powered by Apple Intelligence, the company’s proprietary AI system, and requires the download of Apple Intelligence models before becoming available, 9to5Mac reported. Apple has not disclosed the specific architecture of the underlying AI model.
The iOS 26.4 beta also includes interface updates for album and playlist pages, featuring dynamic artwork backgrounds that adapt to the colors of the album or playlist art, replacing the previous solid white backgrounds, according to Macworld. This follows a broader redesign of the Apple Music app with the release of iOS 26 last year.
In addition to Playlist Playground, the beta introduces a feature displaying upcoming concerts near users’ locations, similar to a tool already available within Apple’s Shazam app. Shazam provides tour dates, venue information, and ticket details, with options to set reminders for performances.
Apple’s move follows similar initiatives by competitors in the streaming music market. Spotify launched text-based playlist creation in December, following a year-long beta test. YouTube Music rolled out its own AI-powered playlist generator last week, while Amazon Music and Deezer introduced the feature in April 2024 and July 2024, respectively.
Apple has also been beta-testing a feature with TikTok, called “Play Full Song,” which would allow TikTok users to stream full songs through Apple Music without leaving the TikTok app, alongside a “Listening Party” feature for simultaneous music streaming within TikTok, according to 9to5Mac.
Apple has not yet announced a release date for iOS 26.4.
