Apple has just rolled out the first developer beta for iOS 26.4, introducing an exciting new AI-powered feature for Apple Music called “Playlist Playground.” This innovative tool, leveraging Apple Intelligence, allows users to effortlessly generate playlists from simple text prompts. Imagine creating playlists based on your current mood, favorite genres, or unique themes! Beyond this, Apple is also testing subtle interface enhancements within the Music app, such as dynamic backgrounds inspired by album artwork and a potential new option for discovering nearby concerts. While currently in developer testing, a public beta is anticipated to follow shortly.
Apple Music: Crafting Playlists with AI Prompts
The much-anticipated Playlist Playground feature reportedly empowers Apple Music users to curate playlists simply by using text prompts. Whether you’re in the mood for upbeat workout tunes, a relaxing evening backdrop, or a specific genre celebration, this tool has you covered. Accessing it is straightforward: navigate to the Library section and select the option to create a new playlist. From there, you can type a concise description, and the app will intelligently suggest songs. For those who prefer a little inspiration, Apple also offers a selection of preset prompt ideas.
An X user, Max Weinbach (@mweinbach), shared screenshots showcasing the AI playlist creation in Apple Music on February 16, 2026, offering a clear glimpse of this upcoming feature.
These shared screenshots reveal a candid disclaimer from Apple: “Playlist Playground may create unexpected results.” This suggests the AI, while powerful, might occasionally surprise users with its suggestions.
Once a playlist is generated, users aren’t locked in; they can easily refine it with additional prompts, avoiding the need to start from scratch. Further customization options include manually adding or removing individual tracks, rearranging the song order, and personalizing the playlist before saving it. The system is also designed to automatically assign a custom title and provide an initial list of approximately 25 song suggestions tailored to the user’s input.
Beyond Playlists: Other Enhancements in iOS 26.4 Beta 1
It’s important to note that Playlist Playground is a component of Apple’s larger Apple Intelligence initiative integrated into iOS 26.4. Upon installing the beta, the feature might not immediately appear, as its underlying AI models could still be downloading in the background. Users might need to exercise a little patience for the download to finish or explore the Apple Intelligence and Siri settings to ensure the option is enabled within the Music app.
In addition to the AI-driven playlists, iOS 26.4 beta 1 introduces other subtle interface adjustments to Apple Music, such as dynamic backgrounds that adapt to album artwork. There’s also speculation about a new concert discovery feature that could help users find live events happening nearby. This beta is currently exclusive to developers, with a public beta anticipated shortly and a broader release scheduled for later this year.