Using the Up Next Feature in iTunes

Apple introduced the Up Next feature in iTunes 11 as a replacement for iTunes DJ. Up Next displays a list of songs that are set to be played next. Users can add songs manually to the Up Next list, but the Music app also adds songs based on album, artist, genre, and other attributes of the music you listen to.

On a computer, the Up Next menu is the icon showing three lines at the right of the display area at the top of iTunes. On an iPhone or another iOS device, swipe up from the bottom the currently playing song screen to view the songs in the Up Next list.

Add Songs to Up Next on an iPhone

The Up Next queue is located in the Music app of an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Android device. To add songs to the Up Next list:

1. Open the Music app on your iOS device or the Apple Music app on your Android device and play a song.

2. Locate a song or album you want to listen to after the song that is playing. Press firmly on the song title to open a screen with options.

3. Tap Play Next or Play Later to add the song to the Up Next list. Repeat with the other songs, albums, or playlists you want to add.

4. Tap the play bar at the bottom of the screen for the currently playing song.

5. In the Now Playing screen, scroll up to reveal the Up Next list.

Edit the Up Next List on an iPhone

The songs and albums in the Up Next list play in the order you see them, unless you make a change.

• To reorder the list, place your finger on the multi-line handle next to any song and drag it to the position in the list where you want it.
• To remove a song or album, swipe from right to left on the song or album and tap Remove.

There is no Clear All button for the Up Next queue. If you didn't add songs manually, selecting the last track from the current album, playlist, artist, or genre resets the list because nothing follows it.

If you added songs manually, find an album or playlist that isn't currently in the Up Next queue and firmly press the last song in the album or playlist. Then, tap Clear Up Next to empty the list.

Add Songs to Up Next in iTunes on a Computer

Up Next is more user-friendly in iTunes on a Mac or Windows computer. The Up Next icon is at the top of the screen. Click or tap Up Next to view the current Up Next list. The History tab displays one previous list, and the Lyrics tab shows lyrics, when available.

There are several ways to add a song, album, or playlist to Up Next:

• Find it in your music library. Right-click it and choose Play Next or Play Later.
• Click or press a song or album and drag it to the Up Next icon at the top of the iTunes window. Click the Up Next icon to confirm that the song was added. Repeat this drag and drop process with as many songs as you want.
• Hold the Option key on a Mac or the Shift key on Windows and hover the mouse over the song you want to add. Click the icon that appears to add the song to Up Next. This technique only works for individual songs.

Edit the Up Next Queue in iTunes on a Computer

After you add songs to Up Next, you don't have to listen to those songs in the order you added them. You have options for editing their playback order:

• To reorder the songs in Up Next, drag a song to the position you want it. Drop it there to update the playback order.
• To delete a song from Up Next, either hover the mouse over the song and click the minus sign to the left of it or select the song and press Delete.
• To clear the Up Next list and start fresh, click the Up Next icon, then click Clear.

When you choose a new album or playlist, you'll see an option to keep your Up Next queue or to clear it.