How to create a Smart Playlist in Apple Music

Creating a playlist of your favorite songs is a great way to listen to the songs you feel like listening to whenever you want. But what if you could create a playlist that automatically updates with your favorite artists, new albums, or the most popular songs in the Music app?

With Apple’s Music app on Mac, you can create a smart playlist that does just that, and we’ll show you how.

Create a smart playlist in Music on Mac

Open the Music app on your Mac to get started.

Step 1: Choose file > New from the menu bar and select Smart playlist in the pop-out menu.

Step 2: When the Smart Playlists setup window opens, check the box above for Adjust the following rule. Here you select the criteria for your playlist.

Step 3: Use the first dropdown box on the left to select the first condition. You can choose from many options like Artist, Date Added, Genre, Love, Purchased, Year and more.

Step 4: After making this selection, use the drop-down box on the right to select from options such as Contains, Starts With, Is After, Is Not, or any other option. These choices depend on what you select in the first drop-down box.

Step 5: Next, you may need to add an item to the text box, drop-down list, or calendar shown on the right. This also depends on the previous two selections.

For example if you choose Artist > Contains, you would enter the artist’s name. Or if you choose Added date > Is before, You would enter the date.

Step 6: Once you have the criteria for your playlist, you can add another condition if needed. For example, you might want a list of your favorite artists and songs added after a specific date.

Choose plus sign on the right side of the first rule to add a second one. Then use the dropdown menu and subsequent fields to set it up, just like the first one.

Select next to the check box above Any or All to meet any or all of the Conditions.

Step 7: After you’ve added all of your criteria, you can optionally check the boxes for the other items for your playlist. You can limit the number of items in the playlist and their selection, match only starred items, and enable live updating.

When you’re done, choose OK to save your smart playlist rules.

Step 8: You will then see your playlist in the main section of the Music app. Enter a name in the playlist field and press To return. You can then play your new Smart Playlist immediately.

As you continue to listen to music, buy music, or add new items in the Music app, those that match the rules you’ve set up for your Smart Playlist will be added automatically.

Access or edit your Smart Playlist

Listening or changing the rules for your Smart Playlist is just as easy as setting it up on Mac.

Step 1: You can access and play your new Smart Playlist at any time by selecting it in the playlists Section of the left menu in the Music app.

Step 2: If you sync the Music app with your iPhone or iPad, you will also see the Smart Playlist in the playlists section of library also on these devices.

Step 3: If you want to make changes to the playlist, you can do it in Music on Mac. Choose the playlist and choose edit rules under the playlist name on the right.

You will then see the rules you originally set up. Make any changes you want and select OK to save her.

Now that you know how to create smart playlist in Apple Music to update music automatically, let’s see how to share your Apple Music library.

Editor’s Recommendations