Use the Apple Music Equalizer on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, and Windows

By Adam Gorden Updated on January 16, 2026

apple music equalizer

Listening to music on Apple Music is usually great, but sometimes the sound doesn't feel quite right. Maybe the bass is weak, the vocals aren't clear, or the highs sound a bit sharp. That's when the Apple Music Equalizer, or EQ, comes in handy. It lets you customize the sound using presets or manual adjustments to match different listening styles.

For those not familiar with EQ, here's a brief explanation: an equalizer shapes how your music comes through. Bass adds depth, mids bring out vocals and instruments, and treble adds clarity. Apple Music makes this simple with presets. You don't get full control over every frequency, but for most people, the presets fit different genres easily, letting your music hit the way you want.

Here's what I do every day: I pick a preset that matches the genre or mood, and it works well enough for everyday listening. It's that easy to make your music sound better on all your devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, and Windows PC. In this guide, we'll show you how to use the Apple Music Equalizer on every device so your songs always sound their best.

Part 1. How to Use the Apple Music Equalizer on iPhone and iPad

The Apple Music Equalizer on iPhone and iPad is in the iOS Settings, so it's easy to tweak your sound. Go to Settings > Apps > Music > Equalizer and pick a preset like Bass Boost, Treble Boost, or Vocal Booster. Each one emphasizes different parts of your music. You don't get full manual control, but the presets cover most listening needs. A simple tip: match the preset to the genre or mood of your playlist. Once you set it on one device, it works the same on your other devices.

Pro Tip: On iOS, go to Settings > Apps > Music > Sound Check to keep all songs at a similar volume. This makes listening smoother and cuts down on constantly adjusting the volume.

ios settings apps music eq

Step 1 Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2 Tap Apps, then scroll down and tap Music to access Apple Music's system settings.

Step 3 Under the Audio section, tap EQ to view the list of available presets, such as Bass Booster, Treble Booster, or Rock.

Step 4 Scroll through the list and tap a preset to apply it. A checkmark appears next to the one you select. Tip: Try Vocal Booster if you mostly listen to podcasts or vocals-heavy tracks.

Step 5 To turn the equalizer off, scroll to the top and tap Off, which disables any EQ adjustments.

Step 6 Open Apple Music and play a song to hear the effect. Some presets sound better with headphones than with speakers, so test a few to find your favorite.

iOS doesn't let you save custom presets in the Music app itself. But you can create a personalized listening profile using Headphone Accommodations. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations to adjust frequencies to your hearing. It's a subtle tweak, but it can make a noticeable difference, especially with Apple or Beats headphones.

Part 2. How to Use the Apple Music Equalizer on Android Devices

On Android, EQ settings are inside the Apple Music app under Settings > Playback > Equalizer. The presets are similar to iOS, though the menu layout may look different depending on your phone. Some devices also offer system-wide EQ options for extra control, so steps may vary. If you want more precise control just for Apple Music, third-party EQ apps let you adjust manually, add extra presets, and save profiles.

Step 1 Open the Settings app on your Android device, then tap Sound & Vibration or Sound, depending on your phone model.

Step 2 Tap Sound quality & effects, Audio settings, or Advanced sound, as the exact label may vary by manufacturer.

Step 3 Tap Equalizer. Most phones show either sliders or a list of presets like Rock, Pop, or Classical. Tip: If you don't see this, your device may need a third-party EQ app.

Step 4 Select a preset by tapping it, or use the sliders to adjust frequencies manually — low for bass, mid for vocals, high for treble.

Step 5 Open Apple Music and play a track to test your changes. Tip: Some devices only apply EQ to wired headphones or Bluetooth, so check both if needed.

Part 3. How to Use the Apple Music Equalizer on Mac

apple music equalizer mac

On Mac, open the Music app, start playback, and go to Window > Equalizer. You can pick a preset or adjust sliders manually for more control than on mobile. The visual display for each frequency band makes it easier to see how your changes affect the sound. Once you find a setting that works for your favorite genre, save it so you can recall it anytime without guessing.

Step 1 Open the Music app on your Mac, then click Window > Equalizer in the top menu bar to open the EQ window.

mac music window equalizer

Step 2 Click the On checkbox at the top-left to activate the EQ.

Step 3 Drag the frequency sliders to adjust the sound ranges. Low sliders affect bass, mids affect instruments, and highs affect treble.

mac music equalizer

Step 4 Click the Preset dropdown menu and select a preset like Bass Booster or Vocal Booster.

Step 5 To save your own settings, click the Preset dropdown again and choose Make Preset. Give it a name and click OK.

Step 6 To manage presets, choose Edit List from the dropdown menu. You can rename or delete any custom preset here.

itunes equalizer make preset

Step 7 To assign a preset to a specific song, album, or playlist, Control-click the item and choose Get Info.

mac music app get info equalizer

Step 8 Click Options, then choose the desired setting from the Equalizer Preset pop-up menu. You can only set it for one song at a time.

Step 9 To set presets for other songs, use the Next or Previous buttons in the Get Info window.

Step 10 Click OK to apply the preset. The EQ preset will now play whenever you listen to that song.

Part 4. How to Use the Apple Music Equalizer on Windows PC

On Windows, EQ settings are in iTunes under Window > Equalizer. Like on Mac, you can choose a preset or adjust sliders manually. Third-party sound drivers can also affect playback, which can be useful for fine-tuning. Trying your own presets is worth it because you may find settings that match your listening style better than the defaults.

Step 1 Open iTunes, then click View > Show Equalizer to open the EQ window.

itunes show equalizer

Step 2 Turn the equalizer on by clicking the On toggle at the top.

Step 3 Drag the frequency sliders to adjust bass, mids, and treble.

itunes equalizer

Step 4 Click the Preset dropdown menu and select a preset such as Rock or Classical. Tip: Flat is a safe choice if you're unsure.

Step 5 To save your own custom settings, choose Make Preset from the dropdown, name it, and click OK.

itunes song info equalizer

Step 6 To rename or delete a preset, select Edit List from the dropdown menu.

Step 7 Navigate to the song, album, or playlist where you want to apply a preset.

Step 8 Right-click the item and choose Song Info (or Get Info on some versions).

Step 9 Click Options, then select the desired preset from the Equalizer dropdown menu.

Step 10 To apply presets to other songs, use the Next or Previous buttons in the Info window.

Step 11 Click OK to save your settings. The EQ preset will now apply whenever you play that song, album, or playlist.

Part 5. How to Get an Apple Music Equalizer Across All Devices Without a Subscription

sign in apple music account

You don't need an Apple Music subscription to use EQ presets. Once your music is saved locally, most built-in Equalizer settings will work with it. ViWizard Apple Music Converter is a smart tool that removes Apple Music protection and converts tracks to MP3. You can convert and download any Apple Music tracks, albums, playlists, artists, or your entire library to your computer. It works up to 20X faster while preserving lossless audio and details. Once converted, you can play the tracks anywhere, apply EQ settings, or even edit them to adjust volume.

audio converter

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

Free Trial Free Trial

* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.

  • Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
  • Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
  • Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
  • Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details

Step 1Open ViWizard and Add Your Apple Music Library

Launch ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your computer. Sign in to your Apple Music account so the app can access your library. Once connected, ViWizard will display all your playlists, albums, and songs, ready for conversion.

add apple music songs

Step 2Pick the Songs You Want to Convert

Browse your Apple Music library and select the tracks, albums, or playlists you want to use with your equalizer apps. You can choose everything at once or pick individual songs depending on how much flexibility you want for customization later.

set output settings

Step 3Set MP3 as the Output Format

Go to the output settings and choose MP3 (or another common format your equalizer app supports). You can also adjust the bit rate, sample rate, or audio quality if you want finer control over your sound. This ensures your converted files will work smoothly with any equalizer app.

convert apple music to mp3

Step 4Start the Conversion

Click the Convert button to begin. ViWizard will process each song and show the progress, letting you know when tracks are ready. Once conversion is complete, all your songs are now in MP3 format and fully compatible with any equalizer app, giving you freedom to tweak the sound just the way you like.

play converted apple music

Step 5Add Converted Songs to Your Equalizer App

Open your favorite equalizer app and import the converted MP3 files. From here, you can experiment with presets, adjust frequencies manually, or save your custom EQ settings for each track.

Part 6. Best Apple Music Equalizer Presets for Different Music Genres

Apple Music presets are designed for different genres, so you can get closer to the sound you want without adjusting every slider. For example, Bass Boost works well for hip-hop or EDM, and Treble Boost makes vocals clearer in acoustic songs. The key is to match the preset to your music and mood. Try a few options to see what makes your playlists sound best.

Genre Preset Tip
Pop Pop Balanced sound for vocals and instruments.
Rock Rock Boosts mids for guitars and vocals.
Hip-Hop Hip-Hop Deep bass with clear highs.
EDM / Bass-heavy Bass Booster Strong bass, keep treble balanced.
Vocals / Acoustic Vocal Booster Makes vocals stand out.
Electronic / Dance Electronic Crisp beats and synths.
Classical Classical Highlights strings and woodwinds.
Jazz Jazz Warm, clear instrument sounds.
Acoustic / Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Smooth and natural tone.
Flat Flat Neutral sound, no changes.
Dance / Club Dance Boosts bass and treble slightly.
Metal Metal Emphasizes guitars and vocals.
R&B R&B Smooth bass and clear vocals.
Lo-Fi / Chill Lo-Fi Soft and relaxed sound.

Part 7. Top Alternative Equalizer Apps for Apple Music Playback

Third-party EQ apps give more control than Apple Music presets. They let you adjust frequencies manually, add extra presets, and save profiles across devices. Many headphones also have companion apps with built-in EQ. For example, Sony's XM series works with the Headphones Connect app, letting you adjust sound on iOS. If your headphones have an app like that, it can be an easy way to get Apple Music-style EQ on any device.

Boom: Music Player & Equalizer

boom music equalizer

Boom is a customizable equalizer app for Apple Music. You get either 8-band or 16-band frequency control, which is perfect for tweaking your sound exactly how you like it. It also has 3D surround sound, which makes listening on headphones or speakers feel more immersive. One thing to note: Boom works on any device, so whether you're on a laptop or mobile, it's ready to go.

Features:
  • 8-band or 16-band customizable equalizer
  • 3D surround sound for a richer experience
  • Bass booster for stronger low frequencies
  • Easy-to-use interface for quick adjustments
  • Works with both headphones and speakers
Requirements:
  • iOS device with Apple Music
  • Download from the App Store
  • No subscription needed for basic features
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Equalizer Fx: Bass Booster App

equalizer fx

Equalizer Fx is a simple, no-fuss app that works well with Apple Music. It comes with a 7-band equalizer and a bass booster, plus a virtualizer for adding a little extra spatial effect. If you just want an easy way to improve your sound without fussing over settings, this is a solid pick. The interface is straightforward, and it's great for casual listening.

Features:
  • 7-band equalizer for adjusting frequencies
  • Bass booster to enhance low-end sound
  • Virtualizer for extra spatial effects
  • Easy and intuitive interface
  • Smooth Apple Music integration
Requirements:
  • iOS or Android device
  • Apple Music for integration
  • Free with optional in-app purchases
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Android smartphones

Equalizer+ Pro: HD Music Player

equalizer + pro

Equalizer+ Pro is a premium option for those who want a bit more control. It offers a 10-band equalizer, a bass booster, and visualizer effects so you can see your sound in action. Presets make it easy to switch things up, but if you're into customizing your audio, this app gives you all the levers. It's detailed without being overwhelming.

Features:
  • 10-band equalizer for precise control
  • Bass booster to enhance low frequencies
  • Visualizer effects for better sound experience
  • 10 preset sound profiles for quick changes
  • Works well with Apple Music
Requirements:
  • iOS device with Apple Music
  • Premium version costs $4.99 (or subscription-based)
  • Download from the App Store
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Boom 3D

Boom 3D is the bigger, more feature-packed sibling of Boom. Along with 3D surround sound, it has fully customizable equalizer settings and a bass booster that hits just right. If you're looking for a dynamic, cinematic listening experience with Apple Music, this one delivers. It's perfect for headphones, but also really shines on speakers.

Features:
  • 3D surround sound for better audio depth
  • Customizable equalizer for personalized sound
  • Bass booster for stronger low frequencies
  • Works with both headphones and speakers
  • Smooth Apple Music integration
Requirements:
  • iOS or macOS device
  • Apple Music for full integration
  • Available on the App Store (iOS) or as a macOS app
  • Works with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and macOS devices

Equalizer - Volume Booster EQ

Equalizer - Volume Booster EQ is a versatile little tool. You get a customizable equalizer and volume booster, which is great if your tracks are too quiet or uneven. A heads-up: it can be a little unstable sometimes, but most people still find it useful for boosting both volume and sound quality. For casual and semi-serious users alike, it's worth a try.

Features:
  • Customizable equalizer for sound adjustments
  • Volume booster for increased audio output
  • Bass booster for deeper low frequencies
  • Simple and easy-to-use interface
  • Works with Apple Music
Requirements:
  • iOS or Android device
  • Apple Music or other music apps for integration
  • Free with optional in-app purchases
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Android smartphones

Conclusion

You should have all the exclusives offered here. Remember to come back for our updates of what's new for Apple Music Equalizer!

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