music just starts playing automatically on my iPhone

I realize there are ppl here with different issues, but the core issue of unwanted auto play with no infinity symbol to toggle off does happen regardless of Bluetooth connectivity.

For example, if I am watching a twitch stream and whether I’m connected to a Bluetooth device or not, if I take a call or visit a separate app that uses mic or speakers (like the camera for video), when I exit the secondary app, instead of resuming my stream or other media, it auto plays Apple Music instead of the media I was playing resuming.

This is certainly intentional on apple’s part as (from what I’m seeing and reading) they don’t provide the infinity symbol toggle to ppl who don’t subscribe to Apple Music, and it activates whether the Apple Music app has been opened by the user or not.

For me, it is an intermittent problem, so I’m not certain of every parameter that is in play. While it may not be Apple’s express intention to “make” someone listen to or use Apple Music, it certainly functions to highlight how their native apps are synchronized with the operating system and ease of use features. Combined with the general human inclination to take the path of least resistance, it is not out of the question to attribute this issue to purposeful design on apple’s part, or to resent having the choice taken from you, when it is clearly available to others, or was available in the past.

Very unfortunate but I deleted Apple Music app even though I have purchased a significant library over the years. Super annoying that Apple Music always opens when connecting to BT or earbuds. This has been a long time coming for me deleting it I suppose. It’s been so annoying that it’s prevented me for years using my phone as much as I’d like in vehicles… which led to me never using Apple Music…you want to try to force me to use it?…made me 100% not willing to try anything associated with a subscription through it EVER but instead become happy with other company’s services. Get out of your own way Apple.

ABetterCalendarChoice wrote:

I have a Pixel 8 with the Apple Music app. Same problem occurs. Music starts playing automatically when it connects to my car. Really irritating.

That is the way it works for any Music app or any device. When the bluetooth connection is made to the car, music will start playing from the last music source. If it did not do this, you would not be able to listen to Music through your car without having to start the music manually on your device. This would no longer qualify for a hands-free device, which is the way it is marketed by the car manufacturer for Bluetooth Audio.

My iPad would just start playing iTunes at random times. It would be in my purse - in its cover so there was no accidental touching of the device's screen - and it would just start belting out an iTune. This would happen when I was at the checkout at a store, when I was talking to a client at work, when I was at a pharmacy, and on and on. Each time I would dig the iPad out of my purse, open the cover, turn off the iTune player, swipe the iPad to get out of the iTune mode altogether - and it would just start up on its own yet again.

I tried all the options people mentioned on this site. There was no infinity icon on my iPad.

Finally I just deleted the iTunes icon. I lost all the music I liked to play, but hey it was worth it.

Like many others have already said, there IS no 3rd icon there...it's completely missing. It's as if Apple is trying to take control over my music playing. Seriously, isn't that what this is all about? Apple playing music on my phone whether I want it or not? Now THAT is control!

Go to shortcuts and disable Apple Music in there that should hopefully fix the automatic playing issue.

I literally deleted apple music due to this

After I tried every method, the only way that works: delete Apple Music, cancel the subscription and switch to Spotify.

it’s obvious Apple did this auto-play trick on purpose, in an ugly way.

I too have this problem and have spent hours now trying to fix it. It’s becoming extremely irritating. I just took a nap using an app that plays stories to help you fall asleep. I finally fell asleep and eventually the story ended and that app stopped playing anything. Once that happened, Apple Music started blaring and woke me up. I know it’s kind of funny but I am so mad right now. It’s pathetic Apple can’t fix this.

This certainly seems to be an intentional act by Apple to force us to listen to Apple Music rather than their competitors. No auto play icon on my iphone14promax. This is beyond irritating, frustrating and insulting for Apple to do this. I am getting sick of their efforts to control and monopolize.

—AM wrote:

What exactly do you mean when you say “the stereo”?

When you said "CarPlay or a speaker", I was referring to the Head Unit of the vehicle, but it does not have to be a vehicle and will play with any bluetooth connection that provides audio. Some Bluetooth devices will allow you to Pause/Play music and those also usually have a setting for AutoPlay, but most vehicles do not have the option to Play/Pause bluetooth on the head unit so they will always play when connected.

You would think Apple would come on here and at least tell us that there’s no way to fix this!!! You think they would at least tell us something? Instead of just leaving us completely in the dark! My next phone is an android!!! I’ve been with Apple iPhone since day one in 2007.

Hey, everyone may not know what you know and that’s ok. Help with the knowledge without being rude ok? Sheesh “filled with people like you” that’s the rude I’m referring to, we can be kinder to eachother

leahann273 wrote:

Hey, everyone may not know what you know and that’s ok. Help with the knowledge without being rude ok? Sheesh “filled with people like you” that’s the rude I’m referring to, we can be kinder to eachother

Not sure what you mean by “filled with people like you”. I think you might have misinterpreted my comment "This forum is made up of users like you". This is simply to point out to the person that I replied to that Apple is not here to address the concerns that are being posted, as these forums are only made up by users of Apple products, not anyone representing to be from Apple. We are all just users of the products, just like the poster is and are here to help solve issues that others may be having with their device.