I don't like the new Music app

[realpras]

As the title says, I don't like how the new Music app works on watchOS 4.

On watchOS 3, I can easily play music on my car's Bluetooth speaker by tapping Now Playing complications on my watch face. It streams music from my iPhone. Now it's not possible anymore.

We have two choices: Play music from the watch directly or start the music from iPhone then control the music from Now Playing app, which now has no complication, therefore no easy access with a single tap from the watch face.

And why does this bother me?

The first option is not ideal because as soon as I turn on my Bluetooth speaker, it connects to my iPhone too (it seems the speaker prioritises the iPhone), therefore, the watch can't connect to the speaker as it has been occupied by my phone. The solution is to forget the Bluetooth speaker on my iPhone, so only the watch can connect to it. This is not a good solution, though, as sometimes I want to play some songs that were not downloaded on my watch.

The second option is also not ideal because now I have to start the music from my phone instead of my watch. I have to take out the phone from my pocket first, play, then put it back to my pocket. I own a 7 Plus, so taking out and in from my jeans' pocket while sitting in a car is not convenient as well.

The only thing I can think of why the new Music app is useful is for people who work out and want to leave their iPhone somewhere whilst they're working out. But it's not me.

Who shares the same feeling with me?

For reference: http://appleinsider.com/articles/17...owse-iphone-music-library-on-your-apple-watch

 

[matrix07]

or start the music from iPhone then control the music from Now Playing app, which now has no complication, therefore no easy access with a single tap from the watch face.

What if you're playing your music from the phone and tap Music complication on the watch? Don’t you see Now Playing like on watchOS 3?

 

[realpras]

What if you're playing your music from the phone and tap Music complication on the watch? Don’t you see Now Playing like on watchOS 3?

I can't remember, but I guess we can. I usually just press the side button to find the Now Playing app which I've set up on my Dock.

But still, this step requires me to play the music from my iPhone first then control from the watch. Not as practical as it was before on watchOS 3.

And I've disconnected my phone to my Bluetooth speaker as for now I prefer playing the music from my watch straight away (which they limit to store 2GB of music only).

 

[matrix07]

Yeah.. I'm always using Siri watch face and it has Now Playing short cut right on the face so haven't touched Music complication since updated.

If you're using Now Playing a lot, double click the crown will bring you back & forth between watch face and Now Playing. Just want to remind you...

 

[realpras]

Yeah.. I'm always using Siri watch face and it has Now Playing short cut right on the face so haven't touched Music complication since updated.

If you're using Now Playing a lot, double click the crown will bring you back & forth between watch face and Now Playing. Just want to remind you...

So you play the music from your iPhone first before controlling via your watch? How did the Now Playing show up on Siri watch face? Can you manually put it there or does it do it for you based on your usage pattern?

 

[matrix07]

So you play the music from your iPhone first before controlling via your watch? How did the Now Playing show up on Siri watch face? Can you manually put it there or does it do it for you based on your usage pattern?

Yes, I always play music from iPhone. It's a habit from the fist Apple Watch.

The Siri face knows when you play something and put it on the watch face automatically.

 

[Cyloncat]

The Siri face knows when you play something and put it on the watch face automatically.

This is a new behavior in watch OS 4, and I hate it. Is there a way to turn this off?

 

[oghowie]

This is a new behavior in watch OS 4, and I hate it. Is there a way to turn this off?

Easily disable auto music controls on Apple Watch by following this quick tip

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on My Watch at the bottom left.
2. Tap on General > Wake Screen.
3. Turn Off the Auto Launch Audio Apps.
4. Exit out of the Settings.

 

[matrix07]

This is a new behavior in watch OS 4, and I hate it. Is there a way to turn this off?

@oghowie I thought @Cyloncat talking about Siri face?

If that's the case then go to Siri face Data Sources in Watch app and turn off Now Playing.

 

[actcyclist]

I'd like the option on the watch to hard press and play via AirPods or via iPhone as before. The new music app only offers play via AirPods.

I'm hoping it's fixed up in the next update that allows streaming.

 

[porkrind]

I'd like the option on the watch to hard press and play via AirPods or via iPhone as before. The new music app only offers play via AirPods.

I'm hoping it's fixed up in the next update that allows streaming.

It’s not different in the 4.1 beta.

 

[tcellguy]

Please keep sending feedback that you want this feature back: www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

I'd be happy if they would even add this feature to the remote app if there is concern about confusing people about weather the music is on the watch or phone.

 

[Zxxv]

I've got 'now playing complication' and ive also got it on the siri watch face. Scroll through the complications and you'll see it.

 

[Cyloncat]

@oghowie I thought @Cyloncat talking about Siri face?

If that's the case then go to Siri face Data Sources in Watch app and turn off Now Playing.

Easily disable auto music controls on Apple Watch by following this quick tip

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on My Watch at the bottom left.
2. Tap on General > Wake Screen.
3. Turn Off the Auto Launch Audio Apps.
4. Exit out of the Settings.

Thank you! I've turned off the auto launch audio apps; I'll see if that fixes behavior over the next day or so. I would never have guess that it's a "wake up screen" - talk about discoverability.....

I don't use the Siri face (or use Siri at all, really) but I'll keep that in mind as another possibility if the wake up screen doesn't fix things.