The first iOS 14.5 beta brings a number of new features, but there is also a good surprise hidden in the launch for Spotify users. Follow how to make Spotify the iPhone standard when using Siri. We’ll also cover how to install iOS 14.5 free public beta.
The most notable new feature that arrives with the first developer and public beta of iOS 14.5 is support for the Apple Watch to unlock the iPhone when wearing a mask. However, another feature that went unnoticed until some Reddit users noticed, is the option to set Spotify as the default iPhone when using Siri.
Previously, we saw support arrive for Siri to play music using commands like “play Cage the Elephant on Spotify”. However, this newer functionality means that you don’t have to specify Spotify (or another service) instead of Apple Music.
For a tutorial on how to get the free iOS 14.5 public beta, check out our walkthrough:
Interestingly, there is no option in Settings> Music (or Settings> Spotify) to set it as the default for iOS, as we saw with email and browser apps. We’ll have to see if Apple adds a switch like that to the standard music app in future beta or public releases.
Siri’s consistency using a third-party music service as the iOS standard seems a little problematic for the time being in the first iOS 14.5 beta, so remember YMMV.
How to make Spotify the iPhone standard with iOS 14.5 beta
- Make sure you’re running iOS 14.5 beta (public or dev) on your iPhone or iPad
- Ask Siri to play an artist / song / album
- Look for a new pop-up to choose which service you would like to use
- Tap Yes to allow Siri to access Spotify data (or another app)
- Your music should start playing
- When working, future requests to play music via Siri should use Spotify or the service you have chosen, but it still has bugs and is inconsistent for some, so your mileage may vary
Check out a more detailed look at Jeff Benjamin’s 9to5Mac practical walkthrough here:
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