With the release of iOS 14.5, Apple introduced a feature that allows users to select a specific music service to use with Siri, with options including third-party services like Spotify in addition to Apple Music.
When this feature first appeared in the beta versions of iOS 14.5, many early reports interpreted it as Apple allowing users to choose a default streaming service, similar to the way it allows users to choose other email apps instead of Apple's native mail client as the system default. However, Cupertino has since clarifiedthat there is actually no option to select a music service that is chosen on every occasion. Rather, the feature in question uses Siri's intelligence to learn from the user's listening habits and improve the music selection process over time.
iOS 14.5: How to set your preferred music streaming service
In fact, by occasionally asking the user what service they want to use, Siri learns their preferences for all types of audio content, not just music. For example, users can open podcasts in Apple Podcasts or a third-party podcast app, and select a specific audiobook app if the user also listens to audiobooks. Now, here's the process:
- Ask Siri to play an artist, song, or album with a request like “Hey Siri, play the Beatles.”
- Siri displays a list of all the music apps you have installed and asks, “Which app would you like to use?”
- Now select your preferred music app from the list.
- If asked, confirm that Siri can access your music app data.
- Siri will now play the music in the app of your choice.
- For example, if you selected Apple Music, the music content will play in Apple Music.
In earlier versions of iOS it was possible to Music from other services by telling Siri the music service in question. For example:
Hey Siri, play music on Spotify
But thanks to the new feature in iOS 14.5, it's easier because Siri now remembers your preferred music streaming service. (Photo by fizkes / Bigstockphoto)
