Apple Music gets smart upgrade and these are the best new features available now

If you use Apple Music, then it's worth checking out some shiny new updates. The popular service has just had a makeover, which brings some bonus features to the streaming platform. The boost arrived as part of this month's iOS 26 update and includes Lyrics Translation, which does exactly what it says on the tin. Now, when listening to a track, you can see what's being sung in your native language. Apple says this new feature uses machine learning to translate lyrics — with fine-tuning from language experts — to ensure the emotion, cultural context, and lyrical intent are fully preserved.

If you enjoy singing along to tunes karaoke-style, you can now turn your iPhone into a mic which amplifies your voice through your TV. There's also the added option to use your iPhone as a Continuity Camera. This lets you see yourself singing onscreen along with lyrics and visual effects.

There's also a new option to record lyrics or ideas in Spatial Audio. This means you'll get vocal booth-quality sound with the Studio Voice setting in Voice Memos. Music Pins have been added to make it easier to find your favourite tracks and there are animated album covers which have been introduced to bring the lock screen to life.

These are all nice extras, but perhaps one of the biggest changes is AutoMix. This works like a DJ in your pocket with Apple Music smoothly transitioning songs automatically. AutoMix is now switched on by default in Apple Music.

Explaining more about this Apple Music upgrade, Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music & International Content, told Express.co.uk, "This is a great example, just like Lyrics Translation, where AI and machine learning opens up a door to a whole new world.

"What it does is use time stretching and beats matching. It finds that perfect moment in the transition between two songs. And we've been really thoughtful about it.

"We've made sure people can turn it on and off, where they want, and that it actually really enhances the experience, and not changes the experience too dramatically.

"It's like having a DJ in your pocket, which is just awesome."

The updates have been released in the year Apple Music turned 10, and the US firm is clearly pleased with the experience it provides its millions of users.

"We're really laser-focused on music," Schusser told us.

"We're not about ads, we're not about creating an audio supermarket. We're not about putting other things in our music app. We're just very, very focused on music.

"We are also incredibly focused on artists, and when I say artists, I mean artists, songwriters, creatives, everyone who was involved in the music process.

"Everything we do is aiming to be of the highest quality. It starts with sound quality, the curation and the human creation of the service, having people, like, Zane Lowe, and others on the team who actually make the playlist, curate the experience, focus on the quality of our features."

Of course, Apple isn't the only streaming firm, and it faces strong competition from Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon Music.

However, Schusser explains why he still believes Apple Music has the edge.

"Apple Music just turned 10 and we wanted it to be a service for true music fans made by true music fans. We've been innovating significantly more than anyone else. If I'm really honest, it's actually gotten a little quiet in the marketplace.

"Most of our competitors are running away from music, like focusing on podcasts or audio trainings, or audiobooks, or any of these other services.

"And there's been very little innovation. We are very steady, super focused on music, trying to come up with features that are brand new and really cool."

If you subscribe to Apple Music and have iOS 26 on your device, you should see all the new features in the app.