how to crossfade apple music

Crossfade Apple Music on iPhone/Mac/
Windows/Android

Adjust your Crossfade settings on Apple Music now and make every song a seamless part of the perfect performance!

Aside from Spotify, Apple Music is the only major streaming service that offers crossfade functionality across all platforms. Many users enjoy using Apple Music as background music while driving or working, and they want the songs to blend together smoothly, just like a DJ. In this guide, we’ll show you how to turn on Apple Music Crossfade between songs.

Part1. What is Crossfade on Apple Music

Crossfade on Apple Music is a feature that allows Apple Music songs to transition smoothly by fading out the end of one track while fading in the next. With it, there are no abrupt stops between songs, creating a seamless playback experience on Apple Music similar to a DJ mix.

By enabling Apple Music Crossfade, you can enjoy continuous music playback without abrupt stops, making it ideal for parties, workouts, or background music while working or driving. The feature is available on various platforms, including iPhone, Mac, Windows, and Android, with customizable crossfade durations to suit your preferences.

Limitations on Apple Music Crossfade

  • Does not work with shuffled playlists or Live Lyrics.
  • Disabled when Lossless Audio or Dolby Atmos is enabled (due to technical constraints).
  • Unavailable for music videos or radio streams.
  • Not supported by Bluetooth.
  • Does not sync song beats like DJ software.
  • Not support on iOS 16 and earlier versions.

Want to break limitations on Apple Music Crossfade? See also: Alternative Way - How to Crossfade Apple Music Without Limits


Part 2. What is the Best Crossfade Time on Apple Music

The best crossfade time on Apple Music depends on your personal preference, but typically, the ideal crossfade duration is between 3 to 6 seconds.

  • For parties or workouts, use 8–12 seconds for DJ-style transitions.
  • Pair with Auto-Play (Settings > Music > Auto-Play) for endless music flow.
  • Shorter fades (1–3 seconds) work best for podcasts or classical music.

Part 3. How to Crossfade Apple Music on iPhone or iPad

Currently, mainstream music streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify do not support native Crossfade functionality on HomePod, Apple Watch, or CarPlay. Also, you cannot Crossfade Apple Music through AirPlay.

To crossfade Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

Must-Haves

  • iOS 17 or later. (Go to Settings > General > Software Update).
  • Apple Music app updated. (Go to App Store > Check update)
  • Shuffle mode turned off (Apple Music app > Now Playing > disable Shuffle icon).

Steps to Enable Crossfade on Apple Music on iOS 17, 18, etc:

Step 1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap Music.
Step 3. Under the Playback section, toggle the Crossfade option on.
Step 4. Drag the slider to set your preferred duration (1–12 seconds).
Step 5. Play a playlist or album in order. The next song will fade in as the current one fades out! crossfade apple music ios

Part 4. How to Crossfade Apple Music on Mac

To enable Crossfade on Apple Music on your Mac, follow these simple steps:

Must-Haves:

  • macOS 10.15 or later (Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac to check.)
  • Apple Music app updated (Open App Store > Check for Updates.)
  • Shuffle Mode turned off (Open Apple Music app > Now Playing > Disable Shuffle icon.)

Steps to Enable Crossfade on Apple Music on Mac:

Step 1. Open Apple Music on your Mac.
Step 2. In the menu bar, click on Music > Settings.
Step 3. In the Playback tab, look for the Crossfade Songs option.
Step 4. Enable Crossfade by checking the box.
Step 5. Use the slider to adjust the Crossfade time (between 1-12 seconds).
Step 6. Click OK to save your settings. crossfade apple music mac

Part 5. How to Crossfade Apple Music on Windows

The most common method to enable Crossfade on Apple Music for Windows is through iTunes, as the new Apple Music app for Windows does not support Crossfade.

Must-Haves:

  • Windows 10 or later
  • iTunes App (Download from Microsoft Store or the Apple website)

Steps to Enable Crossfade on Apple Music on Windows:

Step 1. Open iTunes.
Step 2. Go to Edit > Preferences.
Step 3. Select the Playback tab.
Step 4. Check Crossfade Songs and adjust the duration slider (5–12 seconds recommended).
Step 5. Click OK to save.
Step 6. Stream or play your Apple Music library. Crossfade will apply to consecutive tracks.crossfade apple music windows


Part 6. How to Crossfade Apple Music on Android

Apple Music has brought crossfade functionality to iOS, and Android users have been able to enjoy this feature for a while.  

Must-Haves:

  • Android 5.0 or later (Check in Settings > About Phone > Software Information)
  • Updated Apple Music app (Download from Google Play Store)

Steps to Enable Crossfade on Apple Music on Android:

Step 1. Open the Apple Music app on your Android device.
Step 2. Tap the three-dot icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Select Settings.
Step 4. Scroll down to the Audio section and find Crossfade.
Step 5. If Crossfade is off, switch it to Automatic or Manual:

  • Automatic: The crossfade duration is set automatically based on the song.
  • Manual: Adjust the duration from 1 to 12 seconds for more control. A higher value creates a longer fade.

Step 6. Go back to the home page and start playing music to experience smooth transitions between songs. crossfade apple music android

Tips: Above are the official methods for Crossfade Apple Music on iPhone, Mac, Android, and Windows. However, there's an alternative: You can try using the Apple Music web player in browsers like Chrome and install extensions like SoundCloud Auto Crossfade.


Part 7. Alternative Way: How to Crossfade Apple Music Without Limits

Although Apple Music’s native crossfade feature meets basic listening needs, it has limitations, especially in professional mixing or highly personalized scenarios. That's why I will now introduce an alternative way, which requires a third-party tool, AudiFab Apple Music Converter

Why Use AudiFab Apple Music Converter

AudiFab Apple Music Converter offers workarounds for Crossfade limitations. Apple Music’s crossfade works only within the app and requires iOS 17 or higher, but AudiFab converts Apple Music songs to MP3, AAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF, or FLAC. This allows you to import the converted songs into professional DJ software like Serato or Virtual DJ for custom crossfade control, or edit them in tools like Audacity and Logic Pro for tailored fade-ins and fade-outs. Additionally, AudiFab removes DRM protection, enabling you to download Apple Music playlists to your local folder, and saving them to your hard drive, USB, or SD card. This ensures smooth offline playback, ideal for live events or in-car or on-plane listening, without worrying about network issues.

See also: 10+ Best FREE Apple Music to MP3 Converter in 2025

audifab apple music converter

AudiFab Best Apple Music Converter

  • Easily download Apple Music songs.
  • Save Apple Music in lossless quality with 10x faster speed.
  • Download entire Apple Music albums and playlists with a single click.
  • Supports formats like ALAC, AAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, and MP3.
  • Preserve song titles, artists, and album info.
  • Download multiple songs at once.
  • Keep Apple Music forever and enjoy it on any device.
download winTry It Free download macTry It Free

*For macOS 10.14 or below, download V1.4.3.

How to Crossfade Apple Music Without Limits with AudiFab

With AudiFab Apple Music Converter, you can download Apple Music songs and transfer them to Spotify, Virtual DJ, or any other platform to apply custom crossfade effects. Before getting started, make sure to download and install AudiFab Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac.

See also:
How to How to Transfer Apple Music to Spotify
How to Add Apple Music to Virtual DJ

Add Apple Music Songs to AudiFab for Crossfade

Open AudiFab Apple Music Converter and select the Apple Music playlist you want to convert. Click "Click to Add", then confirm by clicking "Add" to import the tracks.

add apple music to audifab

Adjust Output Settings

Next, go to Settings and choose your preferred output format (MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC), adjust the quality, and set the output folder.  

Tips: To get the best audio quality, we suggest you'd better choose the output format as Auto or ALAC if possible.

choose output format

Apple Music Replay Playlists 2024 to MP3 conversion

Click "Convert", and AudiFab will download and convert the selected songs to your local folder based on your settings. Once converted, your Apple Music tracks are ready for use in any DJ software or media player with custom crossfade control!

convert apple music for crossfade

Part 8. Why is Crossfade Not Working on Apple Music

If Apple Music’s Crossfade feature isn’t working, it may be due to one of these seven common issues. Below, we provide specific solutions for each scenario to help you restore smooth transitions between songs.

Apple Music Crossfade Is Not Enabled

Incompatible System Version

  • Issue: The Crossfade toggle is missing in settings.
  • Fix:
    Update iOS 17+
    Update macOS 10.15+
    Update iTunes 12.10.10+
    Update Android 5.0.

Certain Songs Do Not Support Crossfade

Live radio stations (e.g., Beats 1)
Music videos (MV) or Dolby Atmos songs
Downloaded songs that haven’t fully cached

  • Fix:
    1. Unfortunately, Crossfade is not supported for live radio, and there is no workaround.
    2. Apple Music defaults to the highest quality (e.g., Dolby Atmos), so switch to standard-quality audio.
    iOS/macOS: Settings > Music > Audio Quality. Under Streaming & Download, disable Lossless Audio.
    Windows/Android: No Dolby Atmos support, no issue.
    3. Ensure full downloads (tap the download icon ✅ next to the song).

Background Processes Using Audio Resources

  • Issue: Crossfade stutters or skips songs
  • Fix (Restart Apple Music):
    iPhone: Swipe up (or double-press the Home button) > Close Apple Music > Relaunch.
    Windows/Mac: Open Task Manager (Win) / Activity Monitor (Mac) > End "Music" process > Reopen Apple Music.

Unstable Network Causing Buffering

  • Issue: Streaming songs frequently pause for buffering.
  • Fix:
    Download playlists in advance: Tap Download (↓) on Wi-Fi.
    Allow mobile streaming: Ensure Apple Music settings permit cellular playback.

Insufficient Storage Affecting Audio Processing

  • Issue: When storage is below 1GB, Crossfade processing may fail.
  • Fix (Clear cache):
    iOS: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Select Apple Music > Delete & Reinstall the app. (Note: Downloaded songs will need to be re-cached.)
    Mac/Windows: Navigate to the Music Library Folder (Mac: ~/Music/, Windows: C:\Users\YourName\Music\) and manually clear temporary files.

Alternative Way: How to Crossfade Apple Music Without Limits

If the above fixes don’t work, you can use AudiFab Apple Music Converter for stable Crossfade control. Check Part 7 Alternative Way: How to Crossfade Apple Music Without Limits

Conclusion

The magic of music lies in its flow, and Crossfade is the key to eliminating that "gap" between tracks. Try the methods outlined here to Crossfade Apple Music on iPhone, Mac, Windows, and Android, and effortlessly transform from a casual listener to a master of atmosphere.

If you want to break free from Apple Music’s limitations and fully experience smooth fade-ins and fade-outs, consider using AudiFab Apple Music Converter. It allows you to download your favorite tracks from Apple Music and upload them to DJ software (like VirtualDJ, Serato) or advanced music players (like Foobar2000, VLC), creating a seamless flow just like a professional DJ set!

You can download AudiFab Apple Music Converter for free and try it out yourself. It allows you to convert the first minute of each audio file for sample testing. If you are satisfied with the program, you can purchase a license to remove the time limit.


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