Apple Music appears to be affected by a bug that causes the app to install directly into the Dock when downloaded from the App Store, even replacing other apps in the Dock. This affects both Apple's own and third-party apps.
Several users have complained about the problem on Twitter, who downloaded Apple Music and for whom the app then replaced another app. Kevin Archer for example, Apple Music has replaced Spotify in its dock. Archer claimed that the app only replaces non-Apple apps. But that doesn't seem to be true, because TechCrunch recreated the error and installed Apple Music via the camera app, Twitter and Safari. There have also been complaints that Apple Music sets itself up as the default music service when downloaded, even if another music app was set as the default. iOS devices with iOS 15.4.1 are affected. However, the problem also seems to be present in the beta of iOS 15.5. But that's not all. Other older versions of iOS 15 also seem to have the same problem. There is even a complaint from 2019, long before iOS 15.
Apple Music app replaces other applications in some cases
TechCrunch points out that this behavior has not been explicitly called a bug by Apple, although the issue must surely be a bug. Apple has already been accused of favoring its own apps over third-party apps. The company is facing regulatory scrutiny, so it's unlikely that Apple will simply replace third-party apps with its own. There also doesn't seem to be a set pattern to the apps that Apple Music replaces. After all, in some cases, Apple's own apps are replaced as well. Since the Apple Music issue is getting a lot of attention, including accusations of preferential treatment, Apple will likely address it soon. (Image: Apple)
