Spotify Challenges Apple Music with New Customizable Mix Feature

Move over, Apple. Spotify's take on AutoMix is more customizable and personalized

With iOS 26, Apple introduced an on-command, AI-powered DJ that transitions songs in the Music app. While Spotify offers an AI DJ, it isn't the same as AutoMix, as it includes a narrated experience that guides listeners through tracks. However, Spotify's new Mix feature takes direct aim at Apple and allows you to add your own transitions to mix your favorite playlists. It is now rolling out to eligible Premium users in beta. Also: How to use the viral AutoMix feature on iOS 26 (and which iPhone models support it) Spotify's Mix feature is available for playlists, allowing you to transition between tracks and customize how they flow together. You can enhance your Mix with features like volume, EQ, and effect curves. All you need to do is tap Mix, and Spotify will automatically show the key and BPM (beats per minute) for each track. You should choose songs with similar tempos and Camelot keys, the system used by DJs to avoid clashing keys, for the "most natural-sounding transitions," the company said. It is said to work best with "music produced for seamless transitions." So, techno would blend more smoothly than acoustic. Spotify wants to add more value to its Premium subscription plans, and Mix is one of such features to sway free users into the subscription model. The feature is only available to Premium users, and these mixed playlists can only be shared with other Premium subscribers. So, you can't share a mixed playlist with someone on the free tier. Here's how you can use the new Spotify Mix feature: Also: Spotify now lets you create an AI-made playlist with just a text prompt Spotify said you should think about the mood and energy you want your playlist to have. You can also Mix your current playlists with consistent BPMs to set your pace and curate the ideal moody playlist for the next party or road trip. I also found the new customized cover art feature interesting. It lets you create your own cover art for these mixed playlists with new stickers and labels. You can also add an image from your Gallery and personalize it further. Just make sure that your Spotify app is up to date, and you should be able to spot the Mix button in the toolbar of your playlist.

Spotify copies Apple Music's AutoMix feature before iOS 26 even ships - 9to5Mac

One of my favorite features in iOS 26 is AutoMix for Apple Music, which uses artificial intelligence to create DJ-like transitions between songs. Ahead of iOS 26 being released to everyone next month, Spotify is looking to steal some of Apple Music's thunder with its own new spin on creating unique transitions between songs. In a blog post, Spotify explains that the feature allows users to create unique transitions between playlist songs by customizing things like volume, EQ, and effect curves. Now, Premium users can take their creativity to the next level with the ability to add and customize transitions between tracks. The feature, now in beta, gives users even more control -- allowing music lovers and playlist experts alike to easily create unique playlists. Seamlessly transition between tracks, customize how they flow together, and enhance your mix with features like volume, EQ, and effect curves. You can access the new feature by going to a playlist in the Spotify app, then tapping the new "Mix" option in the toolbar. There is an "Auto" option to create an "instant blend" of transitions between songs, or you can choose to customize the transitions to fit your preferences. Spotify says you can choose presets for things like "Fade" or "Rise," as well as make more granular changes to volume, EQ, and effects. The app even gives you access to visualized waveform and beat data to help you "find the best spot in each track for your transition." Spotify's full blog post offers some tips and tricks to help you create the perfect transitions between songs. The feature is rolling out today in beta to Spotify Premium subscribers. Whereas Apple Music's new AutoMix feature is designed to work, well, automatically, Spotify is taking a different approach. For one, it's focusing specifically on creating transitions between songs in a specific playlist. Apple Music's AutoMix feature works everywhere. Spotify's feature does offer an "Auto" option, but the company is really leaning into the customization options. I'm curious to find out if this is because Spotify's "Auto" transitions just aren't that impressive. I'll do some more testing and report back. Regardless, it seems pretty clear to me that Spotify is feeling some pressure from Apple Music. Apple Music or Spotify? What's your pick? Let us know down in the comments.