Like a lot of features in Apple Music, the shuffle button isn't always as easy to find as you'd expect. When you're browsing an album or playlist, the shuffle button is right where it should be - up at the top, just waiting for you to hit it and mix things up. But if you're trying to shuffle everything in your library or a specific genre, things can be confusing: even when shuffle is on, you might notice Apple Music tends to play the same songs over and over, while others hardly ever show up. It's a bit odd, especially when all you want is a fresh, random mix.
But don't worry - there are some simple ways to fix this. We'll walk you through exactly how to get shuffle back on track, so you can get that truly random vibe you're looking for.
Part 1. Why Apple Music Shuffle Keeps Playing the Same Songs
It's frustrating when Apple Music's shuffle keeps repeating the same tracks. You expect a random mix, but sometimes it can feel stuck in a loop. Here's why that happens:
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Check Shuffle and Repeat Settings in Now Playing:
First, make sure you haven't accidentally turned on Repeat instead of Shuffle. The buttons are right next to each other, and Repeat will loop the same song or set of songs. Whenever you hear the same tracks over and over, double-check that Shuffle is enabled and the Repeat button isn't highlighted or showing a "1," which indicates Repeat mode is active.
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Use Larger or Custom Selections for More Variety:
Shuffle works best with a wide variety of songs. Small albums or playlists can cause some tracks to play more often - sometimes even just one track shuffles repeatedly. Creating a new playlist with all the intended songs together can provide more variety and reduce repetition.
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Expand Your Library or Playlists for True Randomness:
The more songs, albums, and artists in your library, the better the shuffle experience. Adding new music or exploring new artists increases the pool for random selection, so the same songs don't keep popping up. Use the Home tab and other discovery features like Radio Stations and personalized playlists to find music to add to your library.
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Clear Cache Regularly to Keep It Fresh:
Apple Music stores songs in a cache for faster loading, but this can sometimes cause repeats. While iPhone doesn't have a built-in option to clear cache like Android, you can achieve a similar result by offloading the Apple Music app. This refreshes the app so it can select from a broader range of tracks.
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Apple Music's Shuffle Algorithm Isn't Totally Random:
Apple Music's shuffle isn't truly random - it learns from your listening habits. Skipped tracks are less likely to appear, while frequently played songs show up more often. Instead of skipping tracks, try using "Suggest Less" to differentiate actions. If you notice repeats, it may simply be the algorithm adjusting to what it thinks you enjoy.
The key to breaking out of this cycle is simple: keep your library fresh, skip the songs you're tired of, and add new tracks to your rotation. With some patience, Apple Music will start to shuffle more randomly.
Part 2. How to Fix Apple Music Shuffle Repeating the Same Songs
Apple Music's shuffle can sometimes feel predictable, even when it's supposed to be random. You might notice the same few songs coming up over and over again. When that happens, it usually means the shuffle order hasn't refreshed as expected, or there's a syncing or app issue affecting how your queue updates.
Luckily, there are several ways to reset and improve how Shuffle works, depending on what's causing the repetition.
1. Refresh the Shuffle Feature
Start by refreshing the Shuffle feature itself. Turning Shuffle off and back on forces Apple Music to reload a new playback order, which can immediately stop the same songs from repeating.
On iOS/Android
Step 1 Open the Apple Music app and play any playlist or album.
Step 2 Tap the Now Playing bar at the bottom to expand it.
Step 3 Tap the Shuffle button (two crossed arrows) next to the playback controls.
Step 4 If Shuffle is on, tap to turn it off, then tap again to turn it back on.
Step 5 Also check the Repeat button (two arrows forming a loop). If it's red or highlighted, tap it until it's disabled.
Step 6 The Shuffle icon should now appear red, confirming it's active and refreshed with a new random order.
On Windows/Mac
Step 1 Open Apple Music (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).
Step 2 Locate the Shuffle button at the top of the player.
Step 3 Click once to turn Shuffle off, wait a few seconds, then click again to turn it on.
Step 4 To verify the new order, open the Up Next queue before and after toggling Shuffle.
2. Reset the Shuffle Order
Next, try resetting the shuffle order by changing how your playlist or album is sorted. Sometimes Apple Music gets stuck following a specific sort rule, so adjusting it can help generate a different sequence of tracks.
On iOS/Android
Step 1 Go to your playlist or album in Library > Playlists or Albums.
Step 2 Tap the three-dot (•••) menu in the top-right corner.
Step 3 Tap Sort By and choose a different option, such as Playlist Order, Title, Artist, or Release Date.
Step 4 Tap Shuffle again - it will reshuffle using the new order.
On Windows/Mac
Step 1 Open your playlist.
Step 2 Click View > Sort By in the menu bar.
Step 3 Select a new sorting option such as Playlist Order, Name, Genre, Year, Artist, or Album.
Step 4 You can also toggle ascending/descending order for variety.
Step 5 Click Shuffle All to refresh playback from the new arrangement.
3. Clear the Up Next Queue
If the Up Next queue hasn't refreshed in a while, clearing it gives Apple Music room to start from scratch. If you just want to avoid the most-played songs from showing up, find them in the list and remove them individually.
On iOS/Android
Step 1 Open the Apple Music app.
Step 2 While playing a song, tap the Now Playing bar.
Step 3 On the Now Playing screen, tap the three-line Playing Next icon in the bottom-right corner.
Step 4 Scroll through the list and identify songs that repeat frequently.
Step 5 Swipe left to remove songs one by one or tap Clear to clear the whole queue.
On Windows/Mac
Step 1 Open Apple Music (macOS) or iTunes (Windows).
Step 2 Play a playlist on Shuffle.
Step 3 Click the Up Next (three-line) icon near the top-right corner.
Step 4 Click Clear to empty the queue.
Step 5 Tap or click Shuffle again to load new songs.
4. Rebuild the Playlist
Rebuilding the playlist can also help. Creating a new playlist with the same songs ensures the app reads it cleanly again, removing any hidden playback order that may have carried over.
On iOS/Android
Step 1 Open Apple Music > Library > Playlists.
Step 2 Tap the playlist that keeps repeating.
Step 3 Tap the three-dot (•••) icon > Add to Playlist > New Playlist.
Step 4 Give the new playlist a name and tap Done.
Step 5 Tap Shuffle to play it fresh.
On Windows/Mac
Step 1 Open the playlist.
Step 2 Press Ctrl + A (Windows) or Command + A (Mac) to select all songs.
Step 3 Right-click and choose Add to Playlist > New Playlist.
Step 4 Name the new playlist.
Step 5 Click Shuffle to begin playback.
5. Reset Apple Music Cache
If you're using an Android device, clearing the cache can make a big difference. Cached data may include temporary playback lists or older queue info that causes certain songs to appear more frequently.
On Android
Step 1 Open Settings on your device.
Step 2 Go to Apps > Apple Music (or Music).
Step 3 Tap Storage & cache.
Step 4 Tap Clear Cache, then optionally tap Force Stop.
Step 5 Reopen Apple Music and test Shuffle.
On iOS
iOS doesn't allow direct cache clearing, but you can offload the app to refresh it.
Step 1 Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Step 2 Tap Music.
Step 3 Tap Offload App, then confirm.
Step 4 Reinstall Apple Music from the App Store and test again.
6. Sign Out and Sign Back In
Signing out and back in resets your account session and can resolve shuffle issues.
On iPhone/iPad
Step 1 Go to Settings > Apple ID > Media & Purchases.
Step 2 Tap Sign Out, wait about 10 seconds, then Sign In again.
Step 3 Open Music and try Shuffle.
On Android
Step 1 Open the Apple Music app.
Step 2 Tap Listen Now, then your profile icon > Account.
Step 3 Tap Sign Out, wait briefly, then Sign In again.
Step 4 Restart playback and test Shuffle.
On Windows/Mac
Step 1 Open Apple Music or iTunes.
Step 2 Click Account > Sign Out from the top menu.
Step 3 Close and reopen the app, then click Account > Sign In.
Step 4 Play a playlist and toggle Shuffle.
7. Reset Your Apple Music Library
Toggling Sync Library off and back on helps re-sync playlists and listening history correctly across devices.
On iPhone/iPad
Step 1 Open Settings > Apps > Music.
Step 2 Turn Sync Library off.
Step 3 Wait about 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
Step 4 Once your library reloads, test Shuffle.
On Windows/Mac
Step 1 Open Apple Music or iTunes.
Step 2 Go to Edit (Windows) / Music (Mac) > Preferences.
Step 3 Under General, uncheck Sync Library (or iCloud Music Library) and click OK.
Step 4 Reopen Preferences, recheck Sync Library, and click OK again.
Step 5 Let your songs reload, then test Shuffle.
8. Update or Reinstall Apple Music
If nothing seems to work, updating or reinstalling Apple Music usually clears out bugs or outdated data that might interfere with shuffle performance.
On iPhone/iPad
Step 1 Open the App Store and tap your profile icon (top-right).
Step 2 Scroll down to Available Updates and tap Update next to Music if listed.
Step 3 If problems persist, long-press the Music app > Remove App, then reinstall from the App Store.
On Android
Step 1 Open Google Play Store.
Step 2 Tap your profile picture > Manage apps & device > Updates available.
Step 3 Tap Update if Apple Music appears.
Step 4 If issues remain, uninstall and reinstall via the Play Store, then sign in again.
On Mac
Step 1 Click the Apple menu () > System Settings > General > Software Update.
Step 2 If an update for macOS or Music is available, click Update Now.
Step 3 To reinstall, open Finder > Applications, drag Music to Trash, then reinstall from the App Store.
On Windows
Step 1 Open iTunes on your PC.
Step 2 From the top menu, click Help > Check for Updates.
Step 3 Follow prompts to install updates. If installed via Microsoft Store, open Microsoft Store > Library > Get Updates.
9. Try Another Device
You can also test shuffle on another device to see if the issue is specific to one system. This helps determine whether the shuffle problem comes from your app, device, or Apple ID syncing. On iPhone, the Music app often performs more consistently than iTunes on desktop.
Step 1 Sign in with your Apple ID on another iPhone, Android device, or computer.
Step 2 Play the same playlist on Shuffle.
Step 3 If it works, your main device's app data or settings may need resetting.
10. Reduce Heavy Repeat Influence (If Necessary)
Finally, turning off "Use Listening History" can reduce Apple Music's tendency to favor your most-played songs. This forces it to randomize the selection more evenly. Just note that your listening activity won't be counted toward your stats or personalized mixes until you turn it back on.
On iPhone/iPad
Step 1 Open Settings > Apps > Music.
Step 2 Scroll down and toggle Use Listening History off.
Step 3 Reopen Music - shuffle will now randomize more evenly, ignoring past play counts.
On Windows/Mac
Step 1 Open Apple Music or iTunes.
Step 2 Go to Edit (Windows) / Music (Mac) > Preferences.
Step 3 Under General, uncheck Use Listening History and click OK.
Step 4 Restart the app and test Shuffle again.
Part 3. Alternative Ways to Stop Apple Music Shuffle Repeating the Same Songs
Tip 1: Shuffle From Your Entire Library
Instead of limiting shuffle to a single playlist or album, try shuffling your entire library. Open the Music app, go to the Library tab, and tap Songs. Then tap the Shuffle button at the top of the screen. This allows Apple Music to pull from a much larger pool, which naturally reduces repetition and delivers a more diverse listening experience.
Tip 2: Build Larger Playlists
Small playlists can cause some songs to appear more frequently in shuffle mode. To improve randomness, create larger playlists by combining albums, favorite tracks, or newly discovered songs. Go to Library > Playlists > New Playlist, add the songs, and then tap Shuffle. The bigger the playlist, the more varied your shuffle will feel.
Tip 3: Use Smart Playlists for Less-Played Songs
Smart Playlists are ideal for targeting songs you haven't played recently. On Mac or Windows, open Apple Music or iTunes, go to File > New > Smart Playlist, and set rules for specific artists, albums, or playlists. Limit the number of songs and choose Least Recently Played or Least Often Played to prioritize less-heard tracks. Once created, select the Smart Playlist and click Shuffle All. You can create multiple Smart Playlists with different rules to keep your playback fresh and unpredictable.
Tip 4: Mark Favorites and Suggest Less
Apple Music adapts to your listening habits. You can guide the algorithm by marking songs as Favorites or tapping Suggest Less on tracks you don't want to hear repeatedly. Open a song, tap the three-dot (•••) menu, and select your preference. Over time, this helps Apple Music offer a more balanced shuffle.
Tip 5: Use AutoPlay Instead of Shuffle
AutoPlay can provide a fresh alternative when shuffle keeps repeating songs. Tap the AutoPlay button (infinity icon) at the end of a playlist or album. Apple Music will automatically queue similar tracks, often introducing new songs while avoiding repetitive loops.
Tip 6: Create a Personalized Radio Station
Personalized radio stations based on your favorite artists, albums, or genres can give you a shuffled experience without repetition. Open an artist, album, or playlist, tap the three-dot (•••) menu, and select Create Station. Apple Music will generate a dynamic mix of songs, keeping the listening experience varied. You can revisit this station anytime for a fresh shuffle without repeating the same songs.
Tip 7: Use Siri to Start a Fresh Shuffle
Sometimes, the simplest solution is to let Siri do it. Say, "Hey Siri, shuffle my [playlist name]," or "Shuffle my library." Siri immediately creates a new shuffle session, bypassing any lingering playback order issues in the app. This method is quick, hands-free, and effective for a fresh start.
Tip 8: Try Another Music Player
If you want a truly random shuffle, trying a different music player or streaming service can help, as they may use different shuffle algorithms. For Apple Music users, transferring your library to a service like Spotify is a good option. Spotify's shuffle plays your songs randomly, while its Smart Shuffle mixes in new recommended tracks for more variety. ViWizard Music Playlist Transfer lets you move albums, playlists, or individual tracks between Apple Music and platforms like Spotify, Tidal, or Deezer. It gives you full control over the transfer process, so you can manage both personal and official playlists while enjoying a more flexible listening experience.
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If you prefer local options, such as VLC or Windows Media Player, ViWizard Apple Music Converter lets you download your Apple Music songs and convert them to standard formats like MP3 or WAV. You can even transfer entire playlists or libraries without DRM limits, giving you maximum flexibility for offline playback.
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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.
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