Crossfade Apple Music: How to Use It, Why It Doesn’t Work & Why Some Users Hate It [Me Included]

In addition to Spotify, Apple Music is the only major streaming service with the crossfade feature on all platforms. Does it matter that much? No, not really.

Some say Crossfade is an interesting addition to Apple Music’s arsenal. Personally, I find it useless, and I’ll explain why in a second.

For starters, let’s cover what Apple Music Crossfade is, how to switch it on, and then talk more.

Transfer your Apple Music playlist to any streaming service with Tune My Music.

Transfer Apple Music Playlists

How to Turn on Crossfade on Apple Music: TL; DR

The fastest way to turn on Apple Music Crossfade is to open your iPhone’s Settings app, tap “Apps”, select “Music”, and switch on the “Crossfade” toggle. On desktop devices, open the app, select “Music” from the top menu, click “Settings”, go to “Playback” in the top menu, and tick the “Crossfade” checkbox. Apple verified this information.

What Is Crossfade on Apple Music?

Apple Music Crossfade is a feature that fades out every song while fading in the next song to prevent silent gaps between songs. With Crossfade turned on, the music never stops.

Apple Music Crossfade can be adjusted between 1 and 12 seconds. It doesn’t work with HDMI Passthrough or Lossless Audio turned on.

The concept of crossfade isn’t exclusive to any streaming services but apart from Apple Music, only Spotify has it as far as big-leaguers – plus Deezer for iOS only. Apple Music Crossfade was introduced with iOS 17 in 2023.

How to Turn on Apple Music Crossfade on Mobile

Apple Music Crossfade is activated through your iPhone’s Settings app. Make sure that your Apple Music app is up-to-date, and follow these steps.

• 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone (the cogwheel icon).
• 2. Scroll all the way down and tap the “Apps” button.

• 3. Find “Music” and tap it.

• 4. Switch the “Crossfade” toggle on in the “Audio” section.

• 5. Set the Crossfade seconds between 1 and 12.

How to Crossfade on Apple Music [PC]

Apple Music Crossfade is also available on the desktop app. It might involve even fewer steps than the mobile app.

• 1. Open your Apple Music desktop app.
• 2. Scroll to the top of the screen to see the menu, click on “Music” and select “Settings“.

• 3. Click “Playback” in the top menu of the pop-up screen.
• 4. Tick the “Crossfade Songs” box.
• 5. Adjust the Crossfade seconds to your preference between 1 and 12.

Apple Music Crossfade Not Working: Main Reasons

Apple Music Crossfade is a surprisingly limited feature. There are many reasons why it doesn’t work. It’s not like it’s a bug; it’s just that Crossfade is not supported for many listening options.

First of all, make sure that your Apple Music app and your operating system are up to date before searching for fixes. Then, know that the Crossfade Apple Music feature is not available in the following scenarios.

• • Apple Music Crossfade doesn’t work with Lossless audio. This was verified by an Apple customer support rep.
• • Crossfade only works with playlists. It won’t work if you’re playing an album, even if you shuffle the song order. Also, it doesn’t work when Apple Music continues playing random songs after an album finishes.
• • Crossfade also does not work on AirPlay, as highlighted on the Settings page. As nicely highlighted over on Reddit, “Crossfade rarely works”.

If you think these limitations are too strict, it’s probably because they are. That’s what I think, at least.

Does Spotify Have Crossfade Like Apple Music?

Yes, Spotify Crossfade is available on all platforms – iOS, Android, and desktop. It’s less limited than Apple Music Crossfade because it only requires that the songs that crossfade are not from the same album.

Beyond that, the Crossfade time option is the same on Spotify and Apple Music, ranging between one and 12 seconds.

Other major streaming services—Tidal, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Qobuz—do not offer crossfade. Deezer does have Crossfade, but it’s limited to the iOS app only.

While we’re at it, we have a full-on, in-depth, 5,000-plus-word Apple Music vs Spotify comparison on the site. Check it out if you’re up for it.

Do People Really Like and Use Crossfade on Apple Music?

The feelings on Apple Music Crossfade are mixed. First of all, and this goes beyond Apple Music, crossfade isn’t for everyone. Some like the DJ-like vibe of crossfading tracks, while others just want to hear the songs the way they were made.

Then, there’s the second point, and it’s the one I want to drive home. The fact that you have to turn off Lossless audio and use Apple Music at its lowest, 256 AAC kbps audio quality just to get the crossfade effect seems flat-out stupid to me.

I have Apple Music because of the sound quality. I have Spotify, too, and I use it more often, but when I really want to dive deep into an album and engage in active listening, I use Apple Music with Lossless turned on.

Sound quality is one of Apple Music’s key benefits, and it’s silly to throw it away just for the crossfade effect. Also, Spotify Crossfade works on all sound quality settings, including the 320 kbps Very High level.

When I said I think Apple Music Crossfade is useless, it’s because it doesn’t work with Lossless.

Now, a good chunk of people also like it, and that’s great. They usually agree that 3-6 seconds is the sweet spot for this feature.

A Reddit user behind the alias ginger-snap-dragon made another interesting point about Crossfade, writing:

“I’m happy for those who are enjoying it, but it’s useless to me as long as it insists on fading in the start of each track (as opposed to a full-volume start layered on top of an early fade-out of the previous track).

“I tried it on multiple crossfade lengths, but even at only 2 or 3 seconds, it just kneecaps the initial “burst” (or momentum, or whatever you wanna call it) of the next opening track.

“Obviously, this issue only applies to songs that have an opening burst of sound right off the bat, but I’d say that’s the case for, like, a sizable majority of music, and I’m not interested in using an effect that’s only appealing with certain songs in a certain order.”

FAQs About Crossfade Apple Music

Does Apple Music have Crossfade?

Yes, Apple Music has the Crossfade feature that can be activated and adjusted between 1 and 12 seconds through the Settings section on mobile and desktop.

Does Apple Music Crossfade work on all songs?

Crossfade only works on Apple Music playlists. It doesn’t matter which songs are played as long as they are within a playlist. Apple Music Crossfade does not work when playing albums or in radio mode (for example, when an album finishes and the algorithm starts playing songs based on your preference).

What is the best Apple Music Crossfade time?

It depends on your preference. A second or two is enough just to smoothen the listening experience and remove the silent gaps, but it’s sometimes barely listenable. Larger numbers like 10-12, on the other hand, can create a sonic mess of two songs playing at once. Most users agree that 3-6 seconds is the sweet spot.

Do my Apple Music Crossfade settings apply yo Apple Music Classical?

This one is interesting. First of all, no, your Apple Music Crossfade isn’t matched on your Apple Music Classical app. But the thing is, Apple Music Classical Crossfade doesn’t exist on the iOS app, yet it’s readily available on the Android version. Funny how that works.

Summary: Apple Music Crossfade

The fact that Apple Music Crossfade doesn’t work with Lossless audio is a major turn-off for me. Why shut down a major Apple Music perk over a minor detail, right?

Anyhow, it’s very easy to turn on Apple Music Crossfade. Just open the settings and find the Crossfade box on your desktop, or enter the Apple Music Settings on your phone.

Check out our blog for more content, and enjoy the music!