The music remote complication no longer works in watchOS 4.1 as it has previously. It is one of my top three reasons for owning the watch. I have often recommended the watch for this very reason. It appears to now be designed for music stored on the watch. Anyone know if Apple is working on a fix?
iPhone 6, iOS 11.1, iTunes 12.2
Hi
I'm afraid that no-one here can tell you anything about Apple's unannounced plans. You are not talking to Apple here - this is a user-based technical support community.
Under watchOS 4.x, for controlling playback of music from your iPhone rather than the synced playlists on Apple Watch (for which Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker are required), then - other than by using Siri - it is necessary to first start playback on your iPhone before being able to control playback on your Apple Watch.
When you are already playing supported audio on your iPhone (whether via the Music app or a third-party app), the Now Playing app is shown automatically in the Dock on your Apple Watch and can be used to control playback on your iPhone. However, unlike under prior versions of watchOS, those controls no longer include the ability to browse or select playlists via screen-based inputs.
Now Playing can be configured to be shown automatically on Apple Watch upon raising your wrist when playing supported media on your iPhone. This is the default setting. To turn this feature off or on:
On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > General > Wake Screen > turn off Auto-Launch Audio Apps.
If desired, Now Playing can be added to the Dock permanently and/or added to a watch face as a complication.
Follow the instructions here:
If the Music and/or Now Playing apps no longer offer all of the features that you would prefer, then you can submit a feature request to Apple here:
Hi
I'm afraid that no-one here can tell you anything about Apple's unannounced plans. You are not talking to Apple here - this is a user-based technical support community.
Under watchOS 4.x, for controlling playback of music from your iPhone rather than the synced playlists on Apple Watch (for which Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker are required), then - other than by using Siri - it is necessary to first start playback on your iPhone before being able to control playback on your Apple Watch.
When you are already playing supported audio on your iPhone (whether via the Music app or a third-party app), the Now Playing app is shown automatically in the Dock on your Apple Watch and can be used to control playback on your iPhone. However, unlike under prior versions of watchOS, those controls no longer include the ability to browse or select playlists via screen-based inputs.
Now Playing can be configured to be shown automatically on Apple Watch upon raising your wrist when playing supported media on your iPhone. This is the default setting. To turn this feature off or on:
On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > General > Wake Screen > turn off Auto-Launch Audio Apps.
If desired, Now Playing can be added to the Dock permanently and/or added to a watch face as a complication.
Follow the instructions here:
If the Music and/or Now Playing apps no longer offer all of the features that you would prefer, then you can submit a feature request to Apple here:
Reading various threads I see that the change came with 4.0. I skipped that, but put 4.1 in today. I was controlling my music with the remote complication on the watch face. With your suggestion I have found Now Playing. I guess that will work, but I suspect it won't be as handy as a complication.
Are you looking at the Music app? That is the app for using your music library and Apple Music on the watch, Now Playing is the app that allows you to control your music from your Apple Watch.
It caught me by surprise when I upgraded as well. Take care!
Thanks. It's good to know I can recreate the function I had before the update.
You're welcome! 🙂
music remote broken in watchOS 4.1
