Using Siri with Apple Music allows you to explore music in an entirely new way. You can play what you want, listen to what you want, wherever you want, and do it all using your voice.
It’s easy to control Apple Music using Siri. Deep integration using voice commands allows you to explore music in an entirely new way.
If you subscribe to Apple Music, you can Ask Siri to search the entire music catalog and your personal library. You can also find songs by their lyrics and add new music to your library.
If you don’t have a subscription, you can still search your music library.
We’ve also put together a comprehensive list of the most popular Apple Music Commands to guide you in using Siri to play your music.
In this article, we’ll show you how to:
- Play music with Siri.
- Play music by mood or activity.
- Play music on different HomePod speakers.
- Control music that is already playing.
- Add music to your library.
- Play songs by saying lyrics.
- Get information on songs.
- Like or dislike music.
- Listen to radio stations.
- Identify a song using Shazam.
- Play music in third-party apps.
Finally, we’ve put together a list of Siri Apple Music voice commands.
How to activate Siri
First, activate Siri on your device using one of these methods.
iPhone/iPad
- Press and hold the Side/Home button until Siri appears.
- By saying “Hey Siri”.
Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your iPhone.
Apple Watch
- By saying “Hey Siri”.
- By pressing and holding the Digital Crown.
- By using Raise to Speak.
Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your Apple Watch.
HomePod
- By saying “Hey Siri”.
Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your HomePod.
Mac
- Say “Hey Siri”.
- Press the Siri button.
- Use a keyboard shortcut.
- Use Type to Siri.
Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your Mac.
AirPods
- AirPods: (1st generation) Double-tap either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.
- AirPods: (2nd generation) Double-tap either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.
- AirPods Pro: Press the Force Sensor on either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.
How to play Apple Music with Siri
You can ask Siri to play a specific track or album by name.
Hey Siri, play ‘Take Care’.
You can be more specific and say the artists’ name too.
Hey Siri, play ‘Take Care’ by ‘Drake’.
Ask Siri to play only music from a specific artist, playlist, or genre.
Hey Siri, play music from my ‘classical’ playlist.
You can also play music by referencing time.
Hey Siri, play ‘Adele’s’ first album.
Hey Siri, play ‘Shawn Mendes’’ last album.
It’s possible to ask Siri to play chart-topping songs from a given year, and it will serve up a selection of tracks from the year you specify. Note: this feature isn’t supported in all countries.
Hey Siri, play the top songs from 1995.
Play music by mood or activity
If you just want to listen to music that fits your mood, such as relaxing, or uplifting, say things like:
Hey Siri, play music for meditation.
Hey Siri, play party songs.
Hey Siri, play music for working out.
Or combine both!
Hey Siri, play energetic music for working out.
Play music on different HomePod speakers
New Apple Music commands introduced in iOS 12 were created to be used with HomePods. They mean you can specify a room for music to played in, and even ask what music is playing where.
Hey Siri, play this in the lounge too.
Hey Siri, play Adele upstairs.
Hey Siri, play this music everywhere.
Hey Siri, what music is playing in the bedroom?
Control music that is already playing
There are plenty of commands available for controlling music you’re listening to.
Hey Siri, turn on repeat.
Hey Siri, shuffle this playlist.
Hey Siri, turn the volume to 40%
Hey Siri, turn the volume down.
Likewise, you can skip over a song if you wish.
Hey Siri, skip this track.
You can move backward and forward through an album or playlist.
Hey Siri, previous song.
Hey Siri, next song.
Add music to your library
If you really like a song, you can add it to your library, and even specify a playlist.
Hey Siri, add this song to my library.
Hey Siri, add this song to my running playlist.
How to play songs by saying lyrics
Occasionally, we can hear a song we really like and don’t catch the title, but the memorable lyrics have stuck with us. To search for a song based on a phrase you remember, just say:
Hey Siri, play a song with the lyrics….
…followed by the words you remember.
Get information on songs and singers
Searching for information on your favorite songs and singers? With Apple Music, you can easily get the scoop on the artists you love. Siri can tell you about the song that’s playing, who sings it, and even offer up some fun facts about the artist.
Hey Siri, who sings this?
Hey Siri, when did this song come out?
Hey Siri, how many songs are on this album?
Like or dislike Music
Siri will learn about your musical tastes from your ‘likes’ and listening habits. A fantastic way to discover new music is to say:
Hey Siri, play some music I like.
Hey Siri, play more songs like this.
Siri will add up to 50 similar songs for playback.
If you enjoy a song, you can ‘like’ it.
Hey Siri, like this song.
This will add the song and similar tracks to the ‘For You’ section of Apple Music.
By disliking a song, you can teach Siri what music you would rather not listen to.
Hey Siri, don’t play this song again.
Hey Siri, I don’t like this song.
How to listen to the radio with Siri
Apple Music has an ever-increasing number of radio stations available to listen to live. To play a radio station, just say its name:
Hey Siri, play Apple Music 1.
Hey Siri, play Kiss radio.
Identify a song using Shazam
In 2018 Apple bought Shazam, an app that can recognize music, TV shows, movies, and more based on a snippet of sound. While Shazam is still a separate app, Apple have integrated it into Apple Music.
When you can hear music playing out in a bar or club, and want to know what it is, say:
Hey Siri, what song is this?
Hey Siri, Shazam this song.
Hey Siri, what’s the name of this track?
Siri replies, ‘Let me listen’ and will most likely take a few seconds to recognize the song.
Once it does, Siri will respond by saying something like ‘I can name that tune.’ and will speak both the title and artist, show the song cover and provide a ‘buy’ or ‘add’ link to Apple Music.
Play music using third-party apps
You can listen to music from other music services by specifying the app name in your request.
Hey Siri, play rock music in Spotify.
Find out more about using Siri with Spotify.
Siri Apple Music voice commands
Here are some basic commands to use when getting started with using Siri to control Apple Music.
Playback commands
Control playback of your music. Play, pause, and rewind songs. Adjust the volume and skip music.
| Name | Category |
|---|---|
| Next song | Playback |
| Pause this song | Playback |
| Play some music | Playback |
| Play this song from the beginning | Playback |
| Previous song | Playback |
| Repeat this song | Playback |
| Skip this song | Playback |
| Increase the volume | Playback |
| Set volume to fifty percent | Playback |
| Play this song in the lounge (HomePod) | Playback |
Specific requests
Use Siri to ask for a particular song, album, or artist, as well as edit playlists and make more general requests, like years, genres, moods, and activities.
| Name | Category |
|---|---|
| Add this to my [name] playlist | Requests |
| Listen to [artist] | Requests |
| Play a live version of this song | Requests |
| Play something [mood – such as happy] | Requests |
| Play some [activity – such as workout] music | Requests |
| Play something new | Requests |
| Play the [film] soundtrack | Requests |
| Play the newest song by [artist] | Requests |
| Play the number one song right now | Requests |
| Play [title] by [artist] | Requests |
| Play top 10 songs from [artist] | Requests |
| Play top 10 songs from [year] | Requests |
| Shuffle my [name] playlist | Requests |
| Sing me a song | Requests |
| What is the newest album by [artist]? | Requests |
Questions
Ask for further details on a song playing, such as who sings it, when it was released, and what the song is called.
| Name | Category |
|---|---|
| What was the top song in [year]? | Questions |
| What was the top song on [date]? | Questions |
| What’s this song? | Questions |
| When was this recorded? | Questions |
| When was this song released? | Questions |
| Who’s the drummer in this? | Questions |
| Who sings this? | Questions |
| What song is playing in the kitchen? (HomePod) | Questions |
Give your opinions
You can tell Siri which songs you like and which ones you never want to hear again! As well as rate music you enjoy, so you can play back your highest-rated tracks another time.
| Name | Category |
|---|---|
| Like this song | Opinions |
| Never play this song again | Opinions |
| Rate this song five stars | Opinions |