How to create, personalize, and find your Apple Music radio stations
- aug
- 06
Apple Music lets you create and tweak automated music stations based on artists you love. Here's how.
Beats 1 is just one part of Apple Music's radio experience: You can also create, listen to, and personalize semi-automated radio stations to your heart's content.
How are these radio stations different from Beats 1?
Formerly iTunes Radio, Apple Music Radio stations are split into two categories: semi-automated pre-created stations, and custom stations based off artists or songs.
Neither option offers live DJs the way that Beats 1 does; instead, they use a mix of automated content and custom-curated matches to create a neverending stream of music you might like.
When you leave a radio station, however, it automatically remembers what song you were on and pauses at that breakpoint; return to the station, and you'll pick up where you left off.
How to listen to pre-created Apple Music radio stations
Apple's editors have created a large assortment of automated radio stations for you to groove out to if you can't find a playlist or Beats 1 show worth your time. These stations are run by automated software, but have some human oversight by Apple editors to keep the music fresh and prevent you from having to listen to the same five bands in "Electronica".
On your iPhone or iPad
- Open the Music app.
- Tap on the Radio tab.
- Scroll beyond "Featured Stations" to browse Apple's pre-created radio options.
- Choose your station of choice.
On your Mac
- Open iTunes.
- Click on the Radio tab.
- Scroll down beyond "Featured Stations" to browse Apple's pre-created radio options.
- Choose your station of choice.
How to create your own Apple Music radio station
Don't like what Apple has to offer in terms of radio? You can create your own station from any artist or song.
On your iPhone or iPad
- Open the Music app.
- Find the song or artist you want, then click on the More (•••) button.
- Select "New Station from Artist" or "New Station from Song".
- A new station based on this track or artist will begin playing.
On your Mac
- Open iTunes.
- Mouse over the song or artist you want, then click on the More (•••) button.
- Select "New Station from Artist" or "New Station from Song".
- A new station based on this track or artist will begin playing.
How to customize your new station
Whether you're on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you can tweak what songs play next by remembering to click or tap on the Favorite button when you hear a song you like. Apple Music will store this data and adjust your automated radio station accordingly.
Unlike iTunes Radio, there's no specific section that allows you to customize "Play More" or "Play Less" like this.
How to find Apple Music radio stations you've listened to recently
Created a great Mountain Goats station but can't find it anymore? Here's how you bring it back up.
On your iPhone or iPad
- Open the Music app.
- Tap on the Radio tab.
- Tap the Recently Played title bar below the Beats 1 banner.
- Scroll through your list of radio stations.
You can also ask Siri "Play my [artist/song] radio station" or "Play [artist/song] radio" to launch your radio station in question, though this doesn't always work reliably.
On your Mac
- Open iTunes.
- Click on the Radio tab.
- Click the Recently Played title bar below the Beats 1 banner.
- Scroll through your list of radio stations.
How to find recently played songs on Apple Music radio stations
Unlike a playlist, you can't replay songs in an Apple Music radio station, or go back to a previous track. That said, Apple Music does keep track of the songs you've listened to in the past via its Up Next queue so that you can find them again, either so you can add them to your Apple Music library or purchase them. Here's how.
Can I delete or hide stations I don't like?
Sadly, not at this time. Your only option is to let them fade into the background of the Recently Played menu.
Any questions?
Still having trouble with Apple Music radio stations? Let us know in the comments and we'll try to troubleshoot.
