iOS 26.4: 5 New Apple Music Features Explained

Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.4 to developers, introducing a suite of updates for the Music app powered by the company’s new Apple Intelligence features. The most prominent addition is “Playlist Playground,” an AI-driven tool allowing users to generate playlists from text prompts.

Playlist Playground, accessible via a new “+” button within the Apple Music Library, enables users to create playlists by simply describing the desired mood, genre, or theme. The feature likewise offers pre-written prompts to assist users in getting started, according to a report from 9to5Mac. Once a playlist is generated, users retain full control, with the ability to manually add, remove, and reorder tracks, as well as iterate on the initial creation with further prompts.

The iOS 26.4 beta also brings a visual refresh to album and playlist views. Instead of a solid white background, the background color will now dynamically adapt to the artwork of the album or playlist, creating a more immersive experience. Macworld reported that complementary colors are sometimes used, such as a black background when the artwork features shades of white, and gray.

Beyond playlist creation and aesthetics, Apple is expanding concert discovery within the Music app. Artist profiles will now feature an “Upcoming Concerts” section, displaying nearby shows with direct links to purchase tickets, venue information, and start times. This feature mirrors a similar functionality already available within Apple’s Shazam app, as noted by Music Business Worldwide.

Additional updates include the ability to add songs to multiple playlists simultaneously. A new selection button allows users to quickly choose several playlists when adding a track, streamlining the process for those who curate multiple collections. The Ambient Music feature, previously available only in Control Center, is now accessible through new Home Screen widgets in Small and Medium sizes.

The iOS 26.4 developer beta is currently available, with a public beta expected in the coming weeks. Apple Music subscriptions are priced at $10.99 per month, or as part of an Apple One bundle.