iOS 16.2 Gapless Playback

Is anyone else having issues with gapless playback on iOS 16.2 (I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max, if that's relevant). Every couple of songs in a gapless album, I'll get a moment of silence between tracks that's really annoying when the songs are supposed to flow smoothly into each other.


The issue was in 15.4 and also a few years back, so it's annoying that it keeps coming back.

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Posted on Dec 15, 2022 8:16 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 24, 2023 12:10 AM

I had this issue before back on iOS 15 and had a phone call with the Apple Support. He told me to disable Dolby Atmos in Settings>Music>Audio because with Bluetooth the Apple Music App tries to check Dolby Atmos support for every title played. Since my bluetoth devices do not support Dolby Atmos, I’ve disabled it. The gaps have been better after that, and they were gone completely after the next iOS update.


So now with iOS 16.3 they are gone again, and I keep Dolby Atmos disabled 😉 I have no gaps anymore since updating to iOS 16.3 yesterday.


Maybe you could give it a try.

Similar questions

75 replies

Jun 22, 2023 12:40 AM in response to cbunag

Unfortunately I’m experiencing partially this gapless again

I haven’t figured that out yet when and what exactly the cause this issue gets back and what exactly fix it. Turning off the Bluetooth was one of them, closing the app from the background was another one that helped to fix it but definitely 16.5 it’s not working 100%, hope the next upgrade fix it


Dec 26, 2022 4:28 AM in response to cbunag

I can’t believe that we’re ending 2022 and Apple still haven’t provided a robust gapless playback to Apple Music. One iOS update will fix the bug and then another one comes along and breaks it again. It makes for such an annoying and unenjoyable listening experience. Given how much we pay in subscriptions, you’d hope that Apple developers could have found a solid fix by now and given it the attention it deserves.

Jan 2, 2023 12:18 AM in response to cbunag

Yes just bought a new iPhone 14 512 GB for music and already hearing gaps between songs. Soooo frustrating! You would think for the money they charge for these supposed upgraded phones I was forced to upgrade, I’d be getting better technology. Had this issue before with my 256 GB iPod before around 15.4. Apple please fix this issue so I can enjoy listening to my music on your high priced device that doesn’t work properly.

Jan 19, 2023 10:17 AM in response to cbunag

I am having the same issue and was actually relieved to hear that it's an iPhone software problem. For me, it affects work. As a fitness instructor (dance teachers will be in the same boat), that 1/2 beat of silence between every second or third song puts us 1/2 beat off in our choreography and makes for a stilted, much less professional class.


I'm frustrated that I have to hold my breath with every iPhone update to see if it will adversely affect my job!

Feb 1, 2023 6:28 AM in response to cbunag

This is the third time this has happened in 3.5 years. In fall of 2019, the issue seemed to be with the actual gapless technology, but when the problem reappeared in spring of 2021 (I think?), it was only with the playback on Bluetooth devices. I think the most recent bug in IOS 12.2 was a repeat of the 2021 bug because there were no problems with my iPhone plugged into my car like a iPod. There were only gaps when I played music through my Bluetooth devices. It was as if the tracks were somehow having to buffer for a second before playing. Thanks to all who recommended downloading IOS 12.3 because Apple fixed the problem in the update.

Apr 9, 2023 12:52 PM in response to cbunag

Gapless playback should be a high priority feature. The lack of it is a serious defect. It is embarrassing to the whole platforms that gapless playback is gone. I know people have left iPhone platform because “Apple’s hubris in UI is exemplified by Apple Music’s lack of gapless playback, and many other things that are offered on the other platform.” I have offered to purchase a new iPhone for my family member, but they have refused it for this reason.

Apr 11, 2023 3:51 AM in response to cbunag

I don’t know in what situation you are having this issue but in my personal use from 16.3 until 16.4.1 for me works perfectly.

The way I use it I make tracks that they don have any introduction or ending so when I play them and they’re change one after the next track it’s sounds so smooth that who it’s lessening can’t tell that they are different tracks.

Even the last update 16.4.1 works perfectly, one advice close the app from the background.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iOS 16.2 Gapless Playback

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.