As an owner of Apple Music, I’ve been frustrated by the random songs it plays. After doing some research and testing, I’ve come to find out that this is a common issue for many people. Here in this blog post, I’ll share how I solved this issue as well as other solutions I’ve discovered so that you can have a better experience with your Apple Music.
Apple Music might play random tracks if Autoplay or Shuffle are enabled for either a particular playlist, an album, or the entire library.
The good news is that you can turn off these features in a few simple steps. In this article, we’ll share with you different methods to troubleshoot this issue, whether on your iPhone or Mac.
| Tips |
|---|
| Apple Music might play random tracks with Shuffle or Autoplay enabled. |
| To disable Shuffle on an iPhone, disable it in the current playlist or album, or for the entire library. |
| To disable Shuffle on a Mac, disable it for a specific playlist/album or the entire library. |
| You can ask Siri to disable Shuffle or Autoplay. |
| Disable iTunes Match to prevent random song selection. |
Table of Contents
How to Disable Playing on Random on Apple Music
There are many ways to stop Apple Music from casually picking out songs for you. Read on to see which options will resolve the issue on your iPhone or Mac.
On Your iPhone
On your iPhone, there are three approaches to fix random playing on Apple music. Before you begin, though, ensure that your iOS is up-to-date.
Disable Shuffle in the Currently Playing List
You can have the currently playing list follow a certain sequence in a simple two-step process.
- Open Apple Music.
- On the bottom right of the screen, tap the Queue icon. It’s the one with three dots and three lines, which resembles a buttoned list.
Disable Shuffle of All Songs in Your Library
If you want the change to apply to all songs in your library, do the following:
- Open Apple Music.
- Tap the Library at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Songs.
- Tap on the Shuffle icon on the top of the screen.
Disable Shuffle in a Particular Album
To disable Shuffle in a specific album only, here’s what you should do:
- Open Apple Music.
- Open your desired playlist or album.
- Tap on the Shuffle icon on the top of the screen.
You’ll know that you successfully disabled the function if the Shuffle icon isn’t lit or changed color.
On Your Mac
If Apple Music on your Mac is playing songs at random, you have two ways to reverse that. Here’s how:
For a Specific Playlist or Album
If you want a certain album/playlist to play in a particular order, here’s what you should do:
- Open Apple Music.
- Find the Shuffle icon on the top of the window and click on it.
For Your Entire Library
If you wish to disable Shuffle for your entire Apple Music library, do the following:
- Open Apple Music.
- Click Controls on the Menu Bar.
- Select Shuffle.
- Click Off.
Ask Siri for Help
If you don’t have the energy to process any of the above, you can always count on Siri to help you out.
A simple “Hey, Siri, please disable Shuffle” should do the trick.
Read more: Why can’t I delete a playlist on Apple Music?
How to Disable Autoplay on Apple Music
When you’re done with your favorite playlist, sometimes the music player should stop instead of taking the liberty of choosing songs for you. This is an issue faced by those who use playlists to track time for workouts or other tasks.
To check, scroll down to the bottom of your playlist on the Queue screen. If Autoplay is turned on, you’ll see a prompt that says, “Similar music will keep playing.” Below that, you’ll find a list of the suggested songs that Apple Music will play at the end of that playlist.
To disable this function, simply follow the steps below:
- On your device, open the music player.
- Tap on the album art or title of the song that you’re currently playing.
- Select the Queue icon.
- On the right of the Queue screen, tap on the Autoplay infinity.
The highlight on the infinity will disappear once you’ve successfully turned off Autoplay.
Again, if all else fails, Siri won’t disappoint. Try saying, “Hey, Siri, please turn off Autoplay.” I’m sure she’ll gladly oblige.
Be sure to try all these first before contacting Apple Customer Support.
How to Disable iTunes Match
Here’s something many Apple users usually overlook: the iTunes Match.
It’s an innovation where the app reads your preferences through the types of music you download and listen to. From there, it creates a playlist with tracks that may be similar to your taste.
Not everyone’s a fan, though. So, to keep iTunes Match from randomly selecting songs, disable it by following the steps below:
- On your device, open Settings.
- Select Music.
- Uncheck the iTunes Match option.
Final Thoughts
Read more: Apple Music skipping songs
So, why does my Apple Music play random songs?
The answer could be Shuffle or Autoplay. Both are handy features, ideal for users who like to discover up-and-coming hits or simply wish to explore other songs and artists.
However, some of Apple Music’s subscribers use playlists as timers. They spend time and effort nitpicking songs until they reach their desired duration. These playlists are usually customized to track workouts, daily commute, or signal when it’s time to take a break from work.
Fortunately, you can get Apple Music to work in your favor with a few taps or a simple command!
