The recently released iOS 14.5 beta gives iPhone and iPad users the ability to change their default music player for the first time. Third-party apps like Spotify and Tidal are supported, and switching is super-simple.
We’ll show you how.
Apple first started allowing third-party apps to replace its built-in defaults with iOS 14. You can swap both Safari and Mail for third-party browser and emails clients of your choice (so long as Apple approves them).
This now extends to music apps, such as Spotify and Tidal. But the process for switching, at least in the first iOS 14.5 beta, is a little different.
How to switch your default music player in iOS 14.5
These are the steps you’ll need to follow if you want to ditch the Apple Music app for another one in iOS 14.5 beta 1.
- Ask Siri to play you a song or album.
- When prompted to choose a music player, select the service you would like to set as your default.
- Confirm whether or not you would like this service to use your data connection for music streaming.
It’s that simple.
You may notice that the feature isn’t perfect in iOS 14.5 beta 1. In addition to music apps, you’ll see podcast and audiobook services. And after choosing your default, you may find it doesn’t always stick.
These are bugs Apple will need to stamp out in future betas. Nevertheless, the ability to switch from Apple Music is a step forward for those who prefer to use a third-party service for their tunes.
We’ll update this guide if the process for switching music apps changes later. We expect Apple to add an option in the Settings app, just like that for browsers and mail clients, at some point.
