Apple Music gets five practical changes in iOS 27, including horizontal playback, better AutoMix, redesigned artist pages, a Friends playlist and larger widgets. The update is available with iOS 27, which began rolling out on 14 September.
Apple Music iOS 27 adds horizontal playback and better AutoMix
The most immediately useful change is the new horizontal layout. Rotate the iPhone to see artwork and playback controls side by side, with lyrics displayed alongside the artwork. It is a small change, but a sensible one for an iPhone on a desk or charging stand.
Apple Music iOS 27 also improves AutoMix, the DJ-style transition feature introduced in iOS 26. Apple says transitions are now more immersive, while AutoMix is expanding to Apple Music on Apple TV and HomePod. The feature uses time stretching and beat matching to move between tracks rather than simply stopping one song and starting another.
Redesigned artist pages, Friends playlist and extra-large widgets
Artist pages now use full-screen colour backgrounds that match the header image, with featured releases and playback controls easier to reach. The redesign follows the visual treatment Apple introduced for albums and playlists.
The new Friends playlist is updated every Thursday with music friends are listening to. Each track also shows which friend is listening, provided the relevant sharing settings are enabled. Apple Music’s Made for You section is becoming slightly more social, then.
Apple Music iOS 27 also supports three extra-large widgets: Recently Played, Recommendations and Top Charts. They can be added to the Home Screen or Today view, giving the app more room to surface music without opening it.
Apple says iOS 27 started rolling out on 14 September. UAE iPhone users should see the same Apple Music changes once the update is installed, although individual features can vary by device, language and region. Apple Music is available through the Apple Music service and as part of Apple One. The feature list comes from 9to5Mac’s breakdown, while Apple’s services announcement confirms the AutoMix changes.
For more on the wider update, see our coverage of iOS 27’s supported iPhones and release date and Apple’s major iOS 27 announcements. The five changes are not a reinvention of Apple Music, but they remove a few reasons to leave the app open only in portrait mode.
What are the biggest Apple Music iOS 27 changes?
The update adds landscape playback, improved AutoMix, redesigned artist pages, a Friends playlist and three extra-large widget options.
What does the Friends playlist show?
Friends is a weekly-updated playlist of music people in your friend group are listening to. Each track can show which friend is listening to it.
Which extra-large Apple Music widgets are available?
Apple Music offers Recently Played, Recommendations and Top Charts as extra-large widgets for the Home Screen or Today view.
