Apple Music may sometimes start playing songs on its own or skip tracks without warning. The reason isn't always clear. It could be a weak network connection, Bluetooth interference, setting conflicts, or that AutoPlay was turned on without you noticing. Whatever the cause, it can be confusing when your playlist or album doesn't play the way you expect.
But that brings up another problem. Even when Apple Music seems to work fine, some users notice that songs play out of order, or that tracks start and stop randomly, even on fully updated devices. In some cases, other apps or devices can take control. For example, a Bluetooth connection to two audio devices, like your headphones and an iPhone, HomePod, or car stereo, can cause Apple Music to stop or skip tracks unexpectedly.
For anyone dealing with this frustrating experience, this post shares simple, fixable steps - whether the problem comes from an in-app feature or device settings.
Part 1: How to Stop Apple Music from Playing Random Songs
If you've noticed Apple Music playing songs randomly, the first things to check are Shuffle and AutoPlay. It's surprisingly easy to turn these on by accident in the "Now Playing" screen. Shuffle mixes songs randomly, which is fine if you just want variety, but it can be frustrating if you're trying to listen to a specific album or playlist. AutoPlay, on the other hand, automatically starts similar tracks when your playlist ends, which can also feel unexpected. Adjusting these settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac usually fixes the problem and keeps your music playing exactly how you want it - no surprises, no skipped tracks.
- Shuffle mixes up the order of your songs, making it seem like music is playing randomly rather than in your intended sequence.
- AutoPlay continues playing similar songs after your playlist ends, which may catch you off guard if you're expecting the music to stop.
1. Check Shuffle Settings
Open Apple Music on your device.
Navigate to the Now Playing screen by tapping the song currently playing at the bottom of the screen.
Look for the shuffle icon (two crossed arrows) at the top right corner.
Tap the shuffle icon to turn it off. If the icon is highlighted or colored, it means Shuffle is active.
2. Check AutoPlay Settings
While listening to a song, tap the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen to expand it.
In the expanded view, locate the AutoPlay icon (the infinity symbol) near the top right.
Tap the AutoPlay icon to disable it. The icon should no longer be highlighted when AutoPlay is turned off.
Part 2: How to Fix Apple Music When It Randomly Stops Playing
Sometimes Apple Music just stops, mid-song or mid-playlist. It's annoying, but the cause is often something simple. Other devices streaming the same account, background apps interfering, or settings like Low Power Mode, Background App Refresh, and Dolby Atmos can all play a role. Double-checking these areas usually solves the issue, and your playback should stay smooth after that. If it's still stopping, signing out and back in or restarting the app can clear up stubborn glitches.
1. Check for Other Apple Music Streams on Your Devices
If Apple Music stops unexpectedly, first make sure your account isn't streaming on another device. Sometimes your iPhone, iPad, or Mac might be competing for the same song. Pause playback on other devices and see if that fixes the stops.
Step 1 Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or Android phone.
Step 2 Start playing any song from your library or a playlist.
Step 3 Tap the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4 Tap the AirPlay / Cast icon.
Step 5 Check whether Apple Music is playing on another device (such as a Mac, iPad, HomePod, or TV).
Step 6 Pause playback on the other device or disconnect it to keep playback active on your phone.
2. Check for Interfering Apps
Other apps running in the background can interfere with Apple Music. Anything using audio or heavy system resources could be causing the app to pause. Try closing unnecessary apps and see if playback becomes more stable.
Step 1 Open Settings on your phone.
Step 2 Go to Apps (Android) or Privacy & Security > Microphone (iOS).
Step 3 Look for apps like navigation, voice recording, video, or fitness apps.
Step 4 Temporarily close or disable background access for those apps.
Step 5 Reopen Apple Music and try playing a song again.
3. Force Stop and Restart Apple Music
Completely closing Apple Music and reopening it can fix minor glitches. On an iPhone, swipe up or double-tap Home to close the app. On a Mac, quit and relaunch. This clears temporary bugs and often resolves random stops.
Step 1 Swipe up to open the app switcher on your phone.
Step 2 Find Apple Music in the list of open apps.
Step 3 Swipe up on the app to close it completely.
Step 4 Wait a few seconds.
Step 5 Reopen Apple Music and start playback again.
4. Enable Background App Refresh
If Background App Refresh is off, Apple Music might pause when you switch apps. Turn this on in Settings to allow the app to run smoothly even when other apps are open.
Step 1 Open Settings on your phone.
Step 2 Go to General > Background App Refresh (iOS) or Apps > Apple Music > Battery (Android).
Step 3 Make sure Background App Refresh or background usage is enabled.
Step 4 Set battery usage to Allow, Unrestricted, or Not optimized if available.
Step 5 Return to Apple Music and test playback while switching apps or locking the screen.
5. Disable Dolby Atmos or Lossless Audio
High-quality audio features are great, but sometimes they can cause playback to stop, especially on older devices or slower networks. Turn off Dolby Atmos or Lossless temporarily and check if the issue persists.
Step 1 Open Settings (iOS) or Apple Music > Settings (Android).
Step 2 Tap Music or Audio Quality.
Step 3 Turn off Lossless Audio.
Step 4 Tap Dolby Atmos and set it to Off.
Step 5 Restart Apple Music and play a song to check for smoother playback.
6. Turn Off Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode limits background activity to save battery, which can make Apple Music pause unexpectedly. Disabling it ensures the app has enough resources to keep playing without interruptions.
Step 1 Open Settings on your phone.
Step 2 Go to Battery.
Step 3 Turn off Low Power Mode (iOS) or Battery Saver / Power Saving Mode (Android).
Step 4 Reopen Apple Music.
Step 5 Play music again to see if playback stays continuous.
7. Reset Network Settings
Network issues can also stop playback. Resetting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular settings refreshes connections, letting Apple Music stream or play offline songs more reliably.
Step 1 Open Settings on your phone.
Step 2 Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset (iOS) or System > Reset options (Android).
Step 3 Select Reset Network Settings or Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
Step 4 Confirm the reset.
Step 5 Reconnect to Wi-Fi or mobile data and test Apple Music playback again.
8. Sign Out and Sign Back Into Apple Music
Sometimes, signing out and back in refreshes your account and library. This can fix playback issues caused by account mismatches or syncing errors.
Step 1 Open Settings and tap your Apple ID (iOS) or open Apple Music > Account (Android).
Step 2 Select Media & Purchases or Account.
Step 3 Tap Sign Out.
Step 4 Restart your phone.
Step 5 Sign back in with your Apple ID and open Apple Music.
Part 3: How to Fix Apple Music When It Randomly Starts Playing
Then there's the reverse problem: Apple Music may start playing all on its own. This can happen for a few reasons - Bluetooth connections to multiple devices, AirPlay, car stereo setups, or even Siri and Handoff. Features meant to be helpful, like Siri Suggestions, can sometimes backfire and start a song when you least expect it. If you've set up Shortcut automations to control playback, now is a good time to review them to make sure they aren't triggering Apple Music randomly.
1. Check Headphones or Bluetooth Connections
Apple Music may start by itself if a Bluetooth device reconnects. Multiple paired devices can trigger automatic playback. Disconnect extras or reconnect your headphones to stop this.
Step 1 Open Settings on your phone.
Step 2 Go to Bluetooth.
Step 3 Check for connected headphones, speakers, or car systems.
Step 4 Disconnect unused devices or remove old connections.
Step 5 Lock your phone and see if Apple Music still starts playing automatically.
2. Check AirPlay Settings (iOS)
AirPlay can start music automatically on connected speakers. Double-check your AirPlay outputs and disconnect any unnecessary devices to prevent unexpected starts.
Step 1 Swipe down to open Control Center.
Step 2 Tap the Now Playing panel.
Step 3 Tap the AirPlay icon.
Step 4 Make sure only iPhone is selected as the output device.
Step 5 Close Control Center and monitor playback behavior.
3. Check Car Stereo, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto
Car connections can trigger Apple Music as soon as you get in. Review your car stereo, CarPlay, or Android Auto settings to avoid accidental playback when entering your vehicle.
Step 1 Open Settings on your phone.
Step 2 Go to CarPlay (iOS) or Android Auto (Android).
Step 3 Select your connected car.
Step 4 Look for options related to auto-playing music.
Step 5 Disable automatic music playback if available.
4. Turn Off Siri Suggestions
Siri Suggestions sometimes start music based on your habits. Turning this off in Settings > Siri & Search stops Apple Music from launching unexpectedly.
Step 1 Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2 Go to Siri & Search.
Step 3 Scroll down and tap Music.
Step 4 Turn off Learn from this App and Suggestions.
Step 5 Restart your phone to apply the changes.
5. Disable Handoff (iOS)
Handoff allows apps to continue activity across devices, which can trigger music to start on a different device. Turn off Handoff in Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff to prevent this.
Step 1 Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2 Go to General > AirPlay & Handoff.
Step 3 Turn off Handoff.
Step 4 Lock your screen and unlock it again.
Step 5 Check whether Apple Music still starts playing on its own.
Part 4: Extra Ways to Prevent Apple Music from Starting or Stopping Randomly
Even after checking all the settings, Apple Music can still act up occasionally. That's where extra steps come in. You can use Shortcut automations to control when music plays or stops, set alarms or timers to manage listening sessions, or try a different music player temporarily to see if the problem is app-specific. These methods go beyond the usual fixes and give you more control, so your music experience stays predictable and uninterrupted.
Way 1: Create a Shortcut Automation to Stop Apple Music from Auto-Playing
One practical way to stop Apple Music from starting or stopping on its own is to use a Shortcut automation. This feature lets iOS run certain actions automatically when specific conditions are met, such as connecting to Bluetooth or opening an app. Since Apple Music is closely tied to the system, iOS often treats it as the default music app and resumes playback when these triggers occur. By creating an automation that pauses playback or controls where the audio plays, you can change this behavior. Once the automation runs without asking for permission, it works quietly in the background and keeps playback under control.
Step 1 Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone from the Home Screen. Swipe down and search for it if needed.
Step 2 Tap the Automation tab at the bottom, then tap the + in the top-right corner to create a new automation.
Step 3 Choose Create Personal Automation, then select App as the trigger. Pick Apple Music from the list.
Step 4 Tap Next, then Add Action. In the search bar, type "Playback" or "Media" to find the correct action.
Step 5 Select the action that controls playback and set it to Pause.
Step 6 Tap Next, then ensure Ask Before Running is turned off.
Step 7 Tap Done to save the automation. Apple Music will now pause itself automatically whenever it opens.
Way 2: Set an Alarm or Timer to Stop Apple Music from Resuming
Setting an alarm or timer can also help reset Apple Music playback. Alarms take control of the system's audio, which forces Apple Music to stop or prevents it from restarting on its own. This happens because iOS always gives alarms higher priority than music apps. After the alarm or timer goes off and is dismissed, the audio system is refreshed. In real-world use, this often stops Apple Music from starting again after the screen locks or a Bluetooth device reconnects.
Step 1 Open the Clock app on your iPhone, then select Alarm or Timer from the bottom menu.
Step 2 Tap + to create a new alarm, or adjust an existing timer to a short interval, like 1–2 minutes.
Step 3 Make sure the alarm or timer plays a sound, not silent.
Step 4 Start the alarm or timer while Apple Music is running or paused. Let it go off, then stop or dismiss it.
Step 5 Return to Apple Music and test playback, then lock your screen or switch apps to confirm music stays paused.
Step 6 Delete the alarm or turn off the timer once confirmed.
Way 3: Convert Apple Music and Use a Local Music Player Instead
If you want a more long-term solution, using another music player with local audio files can avoid these issues completely. Apple Music depends on system features like Siri suggestions, Bluetooth auto-play, AirPlay detection, and cloud syncing, which can cause music to play without user input. By converting Apple Music tracks into standard audio files using ViWizard Apple Music Converter, you can store the music locally and play it with a simple audio app. Local playback does not rely on Apple Music background services, so songs only play when you choose to start them.
Keep Apple Music songs forever by saving them in formats like MP3 to play anywhere.
Step 1 Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer, then launch the program.
Step 2 Sign into your Apple Music account within the built-in Apple Music Web Player.
Step 3 Add songs, albums, or playlists to the converter by dragging them into the main window or using the Add button.
Step 4 Go to the main menu > Preferences, then open the output settings. Select a standard audio format like MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, or FLAC. Adjust bitrate or sample rate as needed.
Step 5 Save settings, go to the Converting tab, and click Convert to start processing.
Step 6 Once converted, locate the files on your computer and transfer them to your device.
Step 7 Play the music using a local audio player. This prevents unexpected background playback or automatic starts.
Conclusion:
By using tools like ViWizard, you're not only freeing your music from Apple Music's limitations but also ensuring full control over how, where, and when you listen to your tracks. Whether it's offline playback, creating custom playlists, or transferring songs to different devices, you'll have total freedom.
You May Be Interested
Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
Leave a Comment (0)