Apple Music is close to launching an artificial intelligence-powered playlist generator that would let users create playlists through text prompts, joining streaming rivals that have rolled out similar tools in recent months.
The feature, called Playlist Playground, appeared in the beta version of iOS 26.4 released to developers Monday (February 16), according to Apple-focused news website MacRumors and Macworld.
Apple Music suggests prompts such as “morning coffee music,” “hip-hop party songs,” and “disco songs that defined the 1970s,” although users can enter any description. They can type prompts describing moods, artists or musical styles, and the tech creates a 25-song playlist with a custom title. The tool also allows editing of existing playlists through additional text prompts, and users can select a cover and description of their AI-generated playlists.
Developers that signed up to the iOS 26.4 beta can access Playlist Playground by opening up Apple Music, tapping into the Library, and selecting the “+” button to create a new playlist, according to MacRumors.
Playlist Playground appears to be powered by Apple Intelligence, Apple’s proprietary AI system — the feature is labelled as such and requires Apple Intelligence models to download in the background before it becomes available. Apple has not detailed the specific model architecture behind it. The company already offers playlist generation through ChatGPT integration in Apple Music.
Macworld reports that the beta also includes interface updates for album and playlist pages, which now display backgrounds matching artwork colors instead of solid white. Apple redesigned the Music app’s interface with iOS 26 last year.
Another addition shows upcoming concerts near users’ locations. Macworld said the feature appears similar to the tool that already exists in Shazam, which Apple owns. Shazam displays tour dates, venue information and ticket details with options to set reminders for performances.
With the latest update, Apple Music joins competitors that introduced AI playlist generation in recent years, including YouTube Music which rolled out its own AI-powered playlist generator last week.
Spotify launched text-based playlist creation in December after testing the feature in beta for more than a year. Amazon Music and Deezer were the earliest DSPs to introduce the feature in April 2024 and July 2024, respectively.
Apple has yet to announce a timeline for the release of iOS 26.4.
Also recently, 9to5Mac reported that Apple Music has teamed up with TikTok to beta-test a feature called “Play Full Song,” which would allow TikTok users to stream full songs through Apple Music without having to leave the app; and a “Listening Party” feature that would allow groups of users to stream music at the same time within TikTok.
Music Business Worldwide
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