Apple Music Queue
Apple music queue basically refers to the playlist line that you have formed for your music to play in that specific set order. You can do this while listening to music as well, and selecting the songs that you want to listen to next by clicking on play next; a queue will be formed like this.
To add a song from a playlist or album to Play Next, open a playlist or album anywhere in the Apple Music app (whether it is Listen Now, Browse, Library, or Search). You can manually adjust the order of songs playing within the Music app or in iTunes, or put music into the queue for Apple TV or the HomePod.
| Action | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Add Song to Queue | Swipe left on the song and tap “Add to Up Next” |
| Play Next | Swipe left on the song and tap “Play Next” |
| Clear Queue | Tap “Up Next,” swipe left on the first song, and tap “Clear” |
| Reorder Queue | Tap “Up Next,” drag and drop songs to rearrange |
| Save Queue as Playlist | Tap “Up Next,” tap “Save,” and enter a name |
If you are using Apple Music, you can queue the next song by tapping on the “Up Next” icon on the Now Playing screen. You can swipe across album covers on the left-right side of the Now Playing screen to jump to previous or next songs. With the finger still pressing down, drag and drop a song over the title of the current song on the bottom.
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This way, you will not have to manually wait for the next song to be played, since Apple Music automatically jumps to the next song that you selected from your list when the current song ends. I realize that Apple Music has that function too, but you are allowed to select whether or not you want the songs that you have added to your queue to appear on top or the bottom of the list. Your queue can be cleared without having to add songs or delete songs manually from your list.
In the upper right corner of each songs listing is a Picklist menu, allowing you to add more songs to your queue, or you can select Play Next, clearing your queue. If you want to delete a song from the queue, simply swipe from right to left. If you want to play a new album or a new playlist, there is a selection that lets you either save or delete your queue of up-next tracks.
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When listening to songs in the “Up Next” section, you can choose which ones to play first. You can also add songs to Play Next from the Music Library; simply search for a song that you would like to be played next, and tap the triple dots next to it, and tap Add to Up Next. If you choose Music for Playing Next or Play Later, or drag songs from your Up Next queue up or down, that affects playback order on that particular device.
Both these options are gone, replaced by Play Next or Play Later, which lets you play the song right after whatever you are listening to, or at the end of the current queue. If the track you selected is from the same album, playlist, artist, genre, etc., as the last song on your Up Next queue, Apple Music skips that pop-up and reverts Up Next, the same way Apple Music does when starting up a new folder. In that case, selecting the last track from the current, or another, album, playlist, artist, genre, and so on, will actually reset Up Next, as it will not have any songs following it.
You now will have the Up Next Playlist sitting in-between the currently playing track and the rest of the album or playlist. If you discover a track, album, or playlist that you immediately want to hear, you can begin playing that track right now, without losing the existing Up Next queue. Using the drag-and-drop feature, you can add songs, albums, and playlists to the Up Next list.
When browsing or playing music, you can add music and videos to the queue by tapping on the song, album, playlist, or video, selecting an option, then holding down the tap button.
When you find the album you would like to add to the “Playing Next” queue, touch and hold on the albums artwork and drag and drop. Find the song you want to play next, tap and hold the three horizontal lines to the right, then drag and drop it onto the top of the Playing Next list (or anywhere else in your queue).
Swiping all the way across from left to right makes your desired song Play Next, adding it to the top of your queue, as the screenshot embedded above shows. Instead of tapping repeatedly as you used to, you can now swipe partway across your desired song to append it to the bottom of your Now Playing queue. An upcoming iOS update means that now you can partially swipe a song to append it to the queue, or fully swipe it for a song to be played next.
Built into the Play Next queue, the Autoplay feature in Apple Music allows Apple Music to play songs that are similar to those playing currently. When adding a song to the Play Next ” queue, you will have the option of adding it either at the top of the queue (it will play behind the track that is currently playing) or at the bottom (it will play behind everything else in your queue).
Your queue can hold hundreds of songs, so do not worry about overfilling it, and it automatically pauses if you move on to an unqueued portion of your music (Beats 1 or Apple Music Radio, for instance), resuming when you move back to your “My Music” or “Apple Music” directory. Queues will pull up a list of songs that are coming, and you can rearrange or delete songs from the queue, if you want.
You can add new songs to Up Next manually, by either long-pressing on them, tapping on them in three dimensions, or tapping the ellipsis icon (***), and selecting Play Next or Play Later, depending on whether you want them to be played right away or towards the end of your Up Next queue. The Swipe-to-Add feature is immensely useful to add songs quickly to the Now Playing list.
Once you get the music you like, simply tap the song to begin playback. This screen shows a track list in order of playing following your current song. When you put an album above your currently playing track, you will see the green + icon in the upper corners of the albums artwork.
What is the difference between a queue and a playlist?
Queues allow you to adjust the playing order and display which music will play next. They are different from Spotify Playlists in that they may be made and changed more quickly, and they are also temporary. The ability to clear the queue, add and remove songs (or entire playlists), and move them around gives users total control.
Why can’t I queue songs on Apple music in my car?
If the issue only occurs while your iPhone is connected to your car, make sure all iPhone updates are up to current. You might also confirm that your card’s firmware is up to date. If you are unable to queue and play as intended without being connected to an accessory, however, get in touch with Apple Support right once.