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Apple Music in iOS 27: Five new features just added for iPhone

2026-09-18 | original

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Why This Matters

Apple Music's iOS 27 update highlights how Apple continues to iterate on its flagship media app with UI refinements and social features, keeping it competitive against Spotify and other streaming services. These incremental improvements—like landscape support and smarter AutoMix—show Apple's focus on polishing existing tools rather than sweeping overhauls, which matters to millions of iPhone users who rely on Apple Music daily.

Key Takeaways

iOS 27 adds landscape mode to Apple Music, letting users view lyrics alongside artwork, especially useful for docked iPhones like the Duo.
AutoMix transitions have been significantly improved and expanded to tvOS and HomePod, making automatic song blending smoother and more engaging.
New artist page designs and a social 'Friends' playlist show Apple pushing both aesthetic refreshes and social discovery features.

Worth a Look

Apple AirPods Pro 2 — With iOS 27 supercharging Apple Music through landscape lyrics views and smarter AutoMix transitions, AirPods Pro 2 make the perfect companion for enjoying those seamless mixes and rich soundstage. Their tight integration with Apple Music and iOS ensures smooth playback control right from your lock screen or landscape view. Great sound quality only makes those new AutoMix transitions and immersive audio touches shine even more.

See Apple AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.

iOS 27 brings new features to apps like Apple Wallet, Calendar, Notes, Maps, and more. Apple Music adds a variety of improvements too, including five new features outlined below.

#1: Landscape mode

iOS 27 adds support for landscape layouts to many system apps, including Apple Music. The feature will be especially nice on iPhone Duo, but other iPhone models benefit too.

With landscape mode, you can view music artwork alongside playback controls just like in portrait orientation.

More important to me though, lyrics are now available side-by-side with artwork. I’ve found this a great way to enjoy music while my iPhone is docked on a desk or kitchen charger.

#2: AutoMix improvements

AutoMix debuted last year in iOS 26, but Apple has upgraded and expanded it this year in iOS 27.

Per Apple’s press release:

AutoMix has added a whole new layer of energy and excitement to the experience with even better transitions that feel more immersive and engaging for listeners. AutoMix will also be available on Apple Music in tvOS and on HomePod.

Like my colleague Chance, I’ve definitely found AutoMix transitions improved this year. In iOS 26 I sometimes loved the feature and other times found it frustrating. In iOS 27 so far it’s been almost entirely a positive for me.

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