iOS 26.2 adds new Apple Music features and fixes a viral bug

Apple has announced the release of iOS 26.2 for iPhone users, which includes notable updates for Apple Music. This update aims to enhance user experience and addresses various issues within the service.

Key features of iOS 26.2 for Apple Music are:

• A Favorite Songs playlist now appears in the Top Picks section of the app’s home tab.
• Offline lyrics are available for downloaded songs, allowing users to view them without an internet connection.
• A fix for a bug that previously prevented pre-release albums from being playable at their release time.

The Favorite Songs playlist, which was initially introduced in iOS 17.2, has been made more accessible through its presence in the Home tab of the Apple Music app. The addition of offline lyrics is a quality-of-life improvement, distinguishing Apple Music from competitors like Spotify, which still requires an internet connection for lyrics access.

Additionally, the update resolves a recurring issue that gained attention during the release of Taylor Swift’s album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” in October. Users who pre-saved the album were unable to access it immediately upon release, leading to significant frustration. Apple has assured that this problem will not occur with future releases.

Subscriptions to Apple Music are available for $10.99 or through the Apple One bundle.

• Why it matters:
  • The updates enhance user experience and may attract more subscribers to Apple Music.
  • Improved features could lead to increased competition in the music streaming market.
• The latest:
  • The iOS 26.2 update is now available for all iPhone users.