Apple Music no longer shows album artwork on playlists

Hi All, anyone else noticed this issue since the last Apple update?

Now when creating a new playlist, of either an album or a compilation, cover artwork does not get updated and show (adding to Library does allow artwork but you still can't then transfer this to your playlist).

Instead on Playlists it defaults to a standard colour 'design' which has nothing to do with the original album or artist.

I contacted apple support who advised this was to make it more aesthetic and pleasing, and that there is no option to revert to have album artwork.

Is it just me, but surely most music lovers would much prefer to see album artwork rather than an impersonal and featureless design on their playlists - or at the very least have the option to choose this.

The design patterns and colours vary but not by much, so if you have lots of playlists as I do, they're all going to look pretty much the same and difficult to distinguish (very boring also!)

All other competitors Spotify, Qobuz etc I'm aware of allow album artwork on their playlists

Be interested what others think - if you agree submit feedback to Apple in the hope they change it back! Product Feedback - Apple

I'm a loyal apple user have used music for years, but seriously if this issue if not fixed I'll be transferring to another platform

Tom

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 17

Posted on Nov 24, 2023 1:16 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 28, 2024 6:10 AM

Okay, I'm going to try to document how I get my album art in my playlists. It may get messy, as this Apple Community forum format isn't the best to work with but I'll try it and hope it helps someone. Apologies in advance if this method doesn't work for you.

Please note: This only works using the Music app on a Mac. I can't find a way of doing it on the iPhone but if you then sync your playlists from Mac to iPhone, the playlist artwork will also show up on the phone.


Playlist Step 1 :

Select an album in Music (on Mac) using the three dots that show up when you mouse over an album and click on them. Then, from the pop up menu, choose 'Add to Playlist', then 'New Playlist'. You'll now see the new options we all know... and hate!



Playlist Step 2 :

Use the left arrow or just click on the small image icon (shown here with a red arrow) to the left of those dots to select this blank option.

Do not click on the plus sign or add any artwork.



Playlist Step 3 :

Now just type in a playlist title and click create.



Playlist Step 4 :

If you now go to your list of playlists and select the one you've just created, you should see it has had your album artwork automatically added, just as it is in your list of albums.


Playlist Step 5 :

Now go and select some more albums and use 'Add to Playlist', making sure you add them to this new playlist, whatever you've called it. When you next select that playlist, you should see that Apple Music has created a collage just as it used to do.

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180 replies

Apr 23, 2024 12:48 PM in response to highcroft777

This development is very disappointing. After struggling for an hour to find a way of bringing back the album covers in the wonderful four-quarter display, I googled the problem, and discovered "gone with the wind." I agree with all the others. I hate those graphic displays for my playlists. Please change back, or give us the option. Apple, please explain yourself. Is there some reason for such a discouraging change?


Apr 26, 2024 3:44 PM in response to highcroft777

I couldn't agree with you more regarding displaying album cover artwork on playlists. This is a ridiculous idea. I would prefer to see album artwork than Apples non-creative "aesthetic and pleasing" solution.

The colors and fonts used are so pedestrian and boring. Wow. As someone who works as a creative, it's astonishing that Apple, who I've always held in high esteem regarding design, would perpetuate such a truly uninteresting solution.

I'm seriously invested in iTunes and it's extremely disappointing.

Also, their decision to keep that displayed closed, and not give an option to display artwork, is a huge slap in the face to loyal users of Apple Music/iTunes.

Hal

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Apple Music no longer shows album artwork on playlists

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