How to create a Smart Playlist in Apple Music

Creating a playlist of your favorite tunes is a great way to listen to the songs you’re in the mood for at any time. But what if you could make a playlist that updates automatically with your preferred artists, new albums, or most-liked songs in the Music app? With Apple’s Music app on Mac, you can create a Smart Playlist that does exactly 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: Select File > New from the menu bar and pick Smart playlist in the pop-out menu. Step 2: When the Smart Playlist setup window opens, check the box at the top for Match the following rule. This is where you choose the criteria for your playlist.

Smart Playlist setup, match the rule checkbox.

Step 3: Use the first drop-down box on the left to select the first condition.

You can pick from many options, like artist, date added, genre, love, purchased, year, and more.

Drop-down box for the first condition for a Smart Playlist.

Step 4: After you make that selection, use the drop-down box to the right to pick from options like Contains, Begins With, Is After, Is Not, or another option. These choices vary depending on what you choose in the first drop-down box.

Next drop-down box for the first condition for a Smart Playlist.

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

For instance, if you choose Artist > Contains, you’d enter the artist’s name. Or, if you pick Date added > Is before, you’d enter the date.

Last box for the first condition for a Smart Playlist.

Step 6: Once you have the criteria for your playlist, you can add another condition if you like. For example, you may want a list with your favorite artist and songs that are added after a certain date.

Select the Plus sign on the right side of the first rule to add a second one. Then, use the drop-down and subsequent boxes to set it up, just like the first one. Next to the checkbox at the top, choose Any or All to match any of the conditions or all of them.

Second condition setup for a Smart Playlist.

Step 7: After you have all of your criteria added, you can optionally check the boxes for the other items for your playlist.

You can limit the number of items in the playlist and how they’re selected, match only checked items, and enable live updating. When you finish, choose OK to save your Smart Playlist rules.

Smart Playlist limit options.

Step 8: You’ll then see your playlist in the main section of the Music app. Enter a name in the Playlist field and press Return.

You can then play your new Smart Playlist right away. As you continue to listen to, purchase, or add new items in the Music app, those that match the rules you set up for your Smart Playlist will be automatically added to it.

Name field for a Smart Playlist in Music.

Access or edit your Smart Playlist

Listening to or making changes to 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 any time by selecting it in the Playlists section of the left-hand menu in the Music app.

Smart Playlist in the Music app menu.

Step 2: If you sync the Music app with your iPhone or iPad, you’ll also see the Smart Playlist in the Playlists section of the Library on those devices as well.

Step 3: If you want to make changes to the playlist, you can do so in Music on Mac. Select the playlist and choose Edit rules below the playlist name on the right. You’ll then see the rules you set up initially.

Make any changes you like and choose OK to save them.

Edit Rules for a Smart Playlist in Music.

Now that you know how to create a Smart Playlist in Apple Music for automatically updating music, take a look at how to share your Apple Music library.

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