The new Apple Music Voice plan isn’t 100% voice activated after all

Contrary to popular belief, the new Apple Music Voice plan isn’t 100 percent voice-activated after all. As it turns out, you can perform certain tasks like starting a playlist and more without engaging Siri at all.

Apple's marketing image showing the Apple Music subscription plans: Voice, Individual and Family

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Apple Music Voice supports some touch interactions after all
  • You can play or pause a song without Siri, for instance
  • Apple originally said the plan was designed “exclusively for Siri”

Apple Music Voice plan supports touch interactions

As first noted by iOS developer Steve Moser on Twitter, people who subscribe to the Apple Music Voice plan can start playing music by touching a playlist in the Music app on their iPhone or iPad. Users can also play and pause songs without using Siri while on the Apple Music Voice plan.

Basically, you can start and stop your music without using your voice but that’s about it. Apple would be wise to make additional non-Siri interactions available to Apple Music Voice subscribers. Only Siri permits subscribers to access the full range of playback requests, including skipping songs.

From Apple’s press release:

Apple Music Voice Plan subscribers will get a customized in-app experience with suggestions based on the listener’s music preferences and a queue of recently played music through Siri. Within the app there will also be a dedicated section called ‘Just Ask Siri’ where subscribers can learn tips to optimize Siri for Apple Music.

The Apple Music Voice plan debuted on October 18, 2021, priced at just $4.99 per month.

Despite low price, this plan gives you access to the full Apple Music library, including radio stations and tens of thousands of playlists that are available on Apple Music. The new plan is accessible from any Apple device that supports Siri and Apple Music.

Apple Music Voice is available in 17 countries and regions, including Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Apple Music Voice requires iOS 15.2 or later.