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April 24, 2025 23:45
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Apple Music Cheatsheet

A quick reference for Apple Music keyboard shortcuts, navigation, and useful tips to enhance your listening experience.

Shortcuts & Controls

General App Shortcuts

Command+N

Create a new playlist

Command+O

Open a file

Command+P

Open Music Preferences

Command+Q

Quit Music

Command+Z

Undo last action

Command+Shift+Z

Redo last action

Command+W

Close window

Command+M

Minimize window

Command+H

Hide Music

Playback Controls

Space bar

Play or Pause

Command+Right Arrow

Skip to next track

Command+Left Arrow

Skip to previous track

Option+Command+Right Arrow

Fast forward through current track

Option+Command+Left Arrow

Rewind through current track

Shift+Command+L

Show Lyrics

Command+R

Repeat song/album/playlist (toggle)

Option+Command+R

Shuffle (toggle)

Command+Option+3

Switch to MiniPlayer

Library & Navigation

Navigation & Views

Command+1

View Library

Command+2

View Browse

Command+3

View Radio

Command+4

View Store

Command+, (Comma)

Open Preferences

Command+F

Search your library

Command+L

Show currently playing song in library

Control+G

Go to current song’s artist

Shift+Control+G

Go to current song’s album

Library Actions

Delete key

Delete selected item

Command+I

Get Info for selected item(s)

Command+A

Select All items in current view

Shift+Click

Select a range of items

Command+Click

Select/Deselect individual items

Drag & Drop

Add items to playlists, sync devices, etc.

Control+Click

Open contextual menu for more options

Option+Click on 'Add to Library'\nbutton

Adds entire album/playlist to library without adding to ‘Recently Added’

Command+D

Deselect all items

Tips & Tricks

Smart Playlists

Automate Library Organization: Use File > New > Smart Playlist... to create playlists based on rules (e.g., genre, rating, last played). They update automatically.

Combine Rules: Add multiple rules using ‘Match \any/all\ of the following rules’. Use nested rules for complex logic.

Limit Size: Set limits on the number of songs, total time, or disk space for the playlist.

Example: Create a Smart Playlist for ‘Songs liked in the last 30 days with 5 stars that haven’t been played recently’.

Live Updating: Ensure ‘Live updating’ is checked for the playlist to automatically add/remove songs as they match the rules.

Backup: Smart playlist rules can be exported and imported (though less straightforward than standard playlists).

Use Play Count: Track songs you listen to most by creating a playlist based on play count.

Rating System: Utilize the star rating system (Song > Rating) to feed into Smart Playlists.

Last Played/Skipped: Create lists of songs you’ve recently played or skipped to manage your preferences.

Sound & Playback Settings

Equalizer: Access the Equalizer via Window > Equalizer. Use presets or create your own to tailor sound output.

Sound Enhancer: Found in Music > Preferences... > Playback. Slightly boosts bass and treble for a ‘richer’ sound.

Crossfade Songs: Located in Music > Preferences... > Playback. Smoothly transition between tracks.

Sound Check: Normalizes volume levels across different songs. Also in Music > Preferences... > Playback.

High-Quality Playback: Ensure you have ‘Lossless Audio’ and ‘Dolby Atmos’ enabled in Music > Preferences... > Playback if you are an Apple Music subscriber and have compatible hardware.

Audio Quality Settings (Mobile): On iOS/iPadOS, set streaming and download quality in Settings > Music > Audio Quality.

Reducing Storage: On mobile, use ‘Optimize Storage’ (Settings > Music > Optimize Storage) to automatically delete downloaded songs you haven’t played recently.

Playback Destinations: Use the AirPlay/Output icon (top bar) to stream music to different speakers or devices.

Gapless Playback: Apple Music supports gapless playback by default for albums that require it.

Using Widgets & MiniPlayer

MiniPlayer (macOS): Switch using Command+Option+3 or Window > Switch to MiniPlayer. A small, unobtrusive window for basic controls.

MiniPlayer Controls: Hover to see playback buttons, volume, and now playing info. Click album art to return to the main window.

Adding Widgets (macOS Desktop): Right-click desktop, select ‘Edit Widgets’, drag Music widget to desktop.

Widget Sizes: Choose between small (currently playing), medium (currently playing + recent), and large (currently playing + more recent).

Adding Widgets (iOS/iPadOS): Long press on home screen, tap ‘+’, search for Music, choose size, and add.

Widget Functionality: Widgets provide quick access to playback controls and recently played/suggested music without opening the app.

Lock Screen Player: Basic playback controls are always available on the lock screen when music is playing.

Control Center: Access Music controls quickly from Control Center on iOS/iPadOS and macOS.