How to add an Apple Music shortcut to your iPhone lock screen

Whether you’re an iOS or an Android user, you probably have your favourite when it comes to streaming services. And if you’re an Apple Music user, iOS 18.4 beta brings you a slick new feature that makes it a lot simpler for you to access your playlists. With the new update, you can get right into your go-to playlist from your home screen. That’s not all, you will also be able to add their links to the Control Centre. Here’s how it will work:

A step-by-step guide to adding your favourite Apple Music playlist as a shortcut

With the new OS update, Apple Music playlists can conveniently be accessed across your lock screen and Control Centre. However, before you go ahead, make sure your iPhone or iPad are updated to iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4, respectively.

Once this is done, these are the few steps you will need to follow. Check them out:

Adding an Apple Music playlist to the Control Centre

The iOS 18 update allows users to modify their Control Centre and add shortcuts of their choice. Here are some steps you can follow to ensure your beloved playlist remains within your ‘control’ (pun intended!):

Step 1: On your iPhone or iPad, open the Control Centre

Step 2: Tap and hold the screen to customise it; Choose the ‘Add a Control’ option listed at the bottom of the page

Step 3: Next, scroll to find the playlist of your choice (below Ambient Music)

Step 4: Once selected, exit the Control Centre

Step 5: The next time you use Control Centre, you should see the shortcut to your playlist

Adding an Apple Music shortcut to your lock screen

If the Control Centre feels like a stretch to you, you can bring your Apple Music playlist even closer — by adding a shortcut to your home screen. Here’s how:

Step 1: Tap and hold your iPhone’s (or iPad’s) lock screen; select Customise

Step 2: Next, select – located next to one of the shortcuts below to remove it. Then, choose the +

Step 3: Select one of the shortcut options under Ambient Music and tap on it to bring in a pop-up menu

Step 4: Select an active playlist from the pull-down menu, then choose From Library

Step 5: Next, select Choose and Pick from the Library

Step 6: Then, choose the playlist you’d like to add a shortcut to Control Center

Step 7: Finally, move away from the pop-up menu and choose Done

ALSO READ: How to use the Action button on your iPhone as a ChatGPT voice assistant

Adding an Apple Music playlist to the iPhone Action Button

Lastly, you also have the option of launching your favourite playlist using the Action Button on your iPhone. Here’s how to set it up:

Step 1: Within the Settings app on your iPhone, choose Action Button

Step 2: Next, select Controls

Step 3: Choose Current Controls and then tap the options listed under Ambient Sounds

Step 4: Then, choose Configure on the main Control page

Step 5: You will then have the option of choosing an existing Playlist and further From the Library

Step 6: Within this, you will find a list of your playlists out of which you can pick one to assign to your Action Button

Step 7: Save and exit your Action Button Settings

The next time you tap the Action Button, you should be able to access your playlist directly.

Keep in mind, though, that this feature is currently only available for iOS and iPadOS 18.4 beta users. For more tips and tricks or the latest in tech, make sure you hit that subscribe button for Unboxed by Croma.