Are you tired of dealing with interrupted music playback on your iPhone? Do you find yourself constantly swiping back to the Music app or begging Siri to “play music” only to have it pause or stop unexpectedly? If so, you’re not alone. Keeping music playing on an iPhone can be a frustrating experience, but fear not – we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of iPhone music playback and explore the various ways to keep your tunes flowing smoothly.
Understanding iPhone Music Playback
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s essential to understand how iPhone music playback works. When you open the Music app, your iPhone loads the music library into the device’s memory (RAM). This allows for smooth playback and quick access to your music. However, when you switch to another app or turn off the screen, the music playback is paused or stopped to conserve battery life and system resources.
This default behavior is designed to prolong your iPhone’s battery life and optimize system performance. However, it can be frustrating for music lovers who want to keep their tunes playing in the background while they’re using other apps or performing other tasks.
Method 1: Use the Music App Correctly
The first method to keep music playing on your iPhone is to use the Music app correctly. This might seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many users don’t utilize the Music app’s features to their full potential.
Enable Background App Refresh
To keep music playing in the background, make sure to enable Background App Refresh for the Music app. To do this:
| Step 1 | Step 2 |
|---|---|
| Go to Settings > Music | Toggle on “Background App Refresh” |
This allows the Music app to continue playing music in the background even when you’re using other apps or your screen is turned off.
Use the Now Playing Feature
The Now Playing feature is a convenient way to control music playback without opening the Music app. To access Now Playing:
| Step 1 | Step 2 |
|---|---|
| Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right corner on iPhone X and later) | Tap the music controls in the Notification Center |
From the Now Playing panel, you can play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume without leaving the app you’re currently using.
Method 2: Use Siri to Control Music Playback
Siri is an excellent way to control music playback on your iPhone without opening the Music app. You can use Siri to play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume using voice commands. To use Siri for music control:
Activate Siri
Press and hold the Side button (or say “Hey Siri” if your iPhone is set up for hands-free Siri) to activate Siri.
Use Voice Commands
Use the following voice commands to control music playback:
- “Hey Siri, play [song/album/artist]” to start playing music
- “Hey Siri, pause” to pause music playback
- “Hey Siri, next track” to skip to the next song
- “Hey Siri, volume up/down” to adjust the volume
Method 3: Use Third-Party Music Apps
If you’re not a fan of the native Music app or want more features and control over your music playback, consider using third-party music apps. These apps often provide more flexible playback options, equalizers, and audio enhancements.
Spotify, Apple Music, and Other Subscriptions Services
Subscription-based services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal offer robust music libraries and features like playlist creation, discovery tools, and offline playback. Many of these apps allow you to keep music playing in the background, and some even offer features like gapless playback and crossfade.
Music Players with Advanced Features
Apps like Cesium, Vox, and FLAC Player+ offer advanced features like equalizers, audio enhancements, and high-resolution audio support. These apps often provide more control over music playback, allowing you to customize the listening experience to your liking.
Method 4: Use iPhone Accessibility Features
If you’re struggling to keep music playing due to accessibility issues, iPhone provides some built-in features to help.
AssistiveTouch
AssistiveTouch is a feature that allows you to perform various actions using gestures or the Side button. To enable AssistiveTouch:
| Step 1 | Step 2 |
|---|---|
| Go to Settings > Accessibility | Toggle on “AssistiveTouch” |
With AssistiveTouch enabled, you can use the following gestures to control music playback:
- Triple-click the Side button to play/pause music
- Triple-click and hold the Side button to skip to the next track
Switch Control
Switch Control is a feature that allows you to control your iPhone using external switches or devices. If you have difficulty using the iPhone’s touch screen, Switch Control can help you control music playback using an external device.
To enable Switch Control:
| Step 1 | Step 2 |
|---|---|
| Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control | Toggle on “Switch Control” |
Method 5: Use iPhone Shortcuts
iPhone Shortcuts are a powerful way to automate tasks and workflows on your iPhone. You can create custom Shortcuts to control music playback using various triggers and actions.
Create a Music Playback Shortcut
To create a music playback Shortcut:
| Step 1 | Step 2 |
|---|---|
| Open the Shortcuts app | Tap the “+” icon to create a new Shortcut |
Add the following actions to your Shortcut:
- “Get Contents of URL” with the URL of the Music app
- “Open App” with the Music app selected
- “Play/Pause” to control music playback
Save the Shortcut and add it to your Home screen or Siri voice commands for easy access.
Conclusion
Keeping music playing on your iPhone doesn’t have to be a hassle. By using the Music app correctly, leveraging Siri, exploring third-party music apps, utilizing iPhone accessibility features, and creating custom Shortcuts, you can enjoy uninterrupted music playback on your iPhone.
Remember to enable Background App Refresh, use the Now Playing feature, and take advantage of Siri’s music control capabilities. Experiment with third-party music apps to find the one that suits your needs, and don’t hesitate to explore iPhone accessibility features if you need additional support.
With these methods, you’ll be grooving to your favorite tunes in no time, and the music will never stop!
How do I keep music playing on my iPhone while I’m on a call?
If you’re worried about your music stopping when you receive a call, don’t be! When you’re on a call, your iPhone will automatically pause the music and resume playing once the call is ended. This is a default feature on iPhones, so you don’t need to do anything to enable it. Just make sure you’re using the standard Music app or a compatible third-party app that supports this feature.
It’s worth noting that if you’re using a VoIP app like Skype or WhatsApp, the music might not pause automatically. In this case, you might need to manually pause the music before answering the call. Additionally, if you’re listening to music on a streaming service like Apple Music or Spotify, you might need to restart the song or playlist after the call ends.
Can I listen to music on my iPhone while using other apps?
Yes, you can definitely listen to music on your iPhone while using other apps! In fact, this is one of the best features of iOS devices. As long as the music app you’re using supports background playback, you can listen to music while browsing the web, checking your email, or playing games. Just make sure you start the music playing before switching to another app.
To ensure seamless playback, make sure you’re running the latest version of the Music app or your preferred music streaming service. Additionally, some apps might have specific settings that allow or block background playback, so be sure to check the app’s settings if you encounter any issues.
How do I control music playback on my iPhone?
Controlling music playback on your iPhone is easy and convenient! You can use the physical volume buttons to adjust the volume, and use the playback controls on the Lock screen or in the Control Center to play, pause, skip, or go back to a previous track. You can also use Siri to control your music playback by asking her to play, pause, or skip tracks.
If you’re listening to music with wireless headphones or earbuds, you can also use the playback controls on those devices to control the music. Additionally, some car infotainment systems and stereo systems allow you to control music playback using the car’s controls.
Can I customize the music playback experience on my iPhone?
Yes, you can customize the music playback experience on your iPhone to suit your preferences! You can create playlists, add songs to your library, and even customize the Equalizer settings to enhance the sound quality. You can also adjust the music settings in the Settings app to control features like song repetition, shuffling, and more.
Additionally, many music apps and streaming services allow you to customize the playback experience even further. For example, you can create custom radio stations, discover new music based on your listening habits, and even save songs for offline playback.
How do I save battery life while listening to music on my iPhone?
Saving battery life while listening to music on your iPhone is crucial, especially if you’re using your device on the go! One of the best ways to save battery life is to turn down the volume, as high volume levels can quickly drain your battery. You can also turn off the “Raise to Wake” feature, which can also help conserve battery life.
Another way to save battery life is to use the Low Power Mode, which reduces power consumption by limiting background tasks and reducing system performance. You can also adjust the Auto-Brightness setting to reduce screen brightness, which can also help conserve battery life.
Can I listen to music on my iPhone without an internet connection?
Yes, you can definitely listen to music on your iPhone without an internet connection! If you have a local music library, you can access and play those songs even when you’re offline. You can also download songs or playlists from music streaming services like Apple Music or Spotify for offline playback.
Just make sure you download the songs or playlists before you lose internet connectivity. This way, you can enjoy your music even when you’re in a remote area or traveling by air or underground.
How do I troubleshoot music playback issues on my iPhone?
Troubleshooting music playback issues on your iPhone is relatively straightforward! If your music isn’t playing, try restarting your iPhone or the Music app. You can also check the volume level and make sure it’s not muted or turned down. Additionally, check the headphones or earbuds to ensure they’re properly connected and functioning correctly.
If the issue persists, try updating the Music app or your iPhone’s operating system to the latest version. You can also try resetting your iPhone’s network settings or restoring your iPhone to its factory settings (but be sure to back up your data first!). If none of these solutions work, you may want to contact Apple Support for further assistance.