You know that feeling when a track just hits? Maybe it’s a brand-new release from Billie Eilish or a nostalgic deep cut from 2005. Whatever it is, you don’t want it to end. You want that specific four-minute loop to become the soundtrack to your entire afternoon. But for some reason, the Apple Music interface feels like it’s playing a game of hide-and-seek with the one button you actually need.
Learning how to put a song on repeat Apple Music isn't exactly rocket science, yet thousands of people get stuck every day because the icon is tucked away behind a swipe or a sub-menu. It’s annoying. I’ve been there—staring at the "Now Playing" screen, tapping random icons, and accidentally triggering a shuffle of my entire 4,000-song library instead of just hearing that one chorus again.
Apple’s design philosophy often prioritizes "clean" over "obvious." This means the repeat button isn't always front and center. It’s a tiny little icon that looks like two arrows chasing each other in a square. If you don't see it, you're not crazy; you just haven't looked in the right hidden corner yet.
The Secret Swipe: Finding the Loop on iPhone and Android
Most of us listen on our phones. Whether you’re an iOS loyalist or an Android user, the process for how to put a song on repeat Apple Music is basically identical, though the fluidity of the animations might feel a bit different.
First, open the app and start playing your track. You’ll see the mini-player at the bottom of the screen. Tap that mini-player to expand it so it fills the whole display. This is the "Now Playing" screen. Now, look at the bottom right corner. See those three dots or the "Up Next" queue icon (it looks like three horizontal lines with dots)? Tap the "Up Next" icon.
Suddenly, a whole new world opens up. You’ll see what’s playing next, but more importantly, right there at the top next to the "Shuffle" button, you’ll see the Repeat icon.
Understanding the Toggle States
It’s not just an on-off switch. It’s a three-state cycle.
- Off: The icon is grey or outlined. The music will stop or move to the next song once the current one ends.
- Repeat All: Tap it once, and it turns red/pink. This means once your current playlist or album finishes, it’ll start back at the beginning of the list.
- Repeat One: Tap it a second time. A tiny number "1" will appear inside the arrows. This is the holy grail. The song will play forever. Or at least until your battery dies or your neighbors lodge a formal complaint.
Tap it a third time to turn it off. Simple, right? But honestly, if you didn't know you had to open the "Up Next" queue, you’d be tapping the album art forever like a caffeinated woodpecker.
Desktop Woes: Repeating on Mac and PC
Using Apple Music on a MacBook or a Windows PC (via the dedicated Apple Music app or the aging iTunes) feels a bit more old-school. The real estate is bigger, so you’d think the buttons would be easier to find. Kinda.
On the desktop app, the controls live at the very top of the window. Look at the play/pause area. To the right of the progress bar, you’ll see the same overlapping arrow icon. Unlike the mobile version, you don't usually have to dig into a queue to see it. It’s right there.
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One click turns the whole list on repeat. The second click brings up that little "1" for the individual song. If you’re a keyboard shortcut enthusiast—and let's be real, who isn't?—you can sometimes use Command + R on Mac, though this varies slightly depending on which OS version you’re running.
When the Repeat Button Simply Vanishes
Here is where things get weird. Occasionally, you’ll go to the "Up Next" screen and the repeat icon is just... gone. It’s a ghost. This isn't a bug; it’s a feature of how Apple Music handles specific playback modes.
If you have "Autoplay" turned on—that’s the little infinity symbol ($\infty$) next to the repeat and shuffle icons—Apple Music is busy finding "similar" songs to play after your queue ends. Sometimes, having certain "Station" modes active or playing music from a shared "SharePlay" session will hide the repeat toggle.
Also, if you're listening to a Radio Station (like Apple Music 1 or a custom artist station), you cannot repeat songs. Radio is live. You can't tell Zane Lowe to play the same track three times in a row, much as we might want to. If you find yourself unable to find the button, check if you’re on a live station or if the infinity symbol is doing something funky with your queue.
Troubleshooting the "Greyed Out" Repeat Icon
Sometimes the button is there, but you can't click it. It’s grey and lifeless. This usually happens if you are playing music that isn't technically in your library or isn't "streamable" in a traditional sense. For instance, if you are playing a video file within the Music app, the repeat options can sometimes glitch out.
Another common culprit? The "Sing" feature. Apple Music Sing (the karaoke mode that lets you drop the vocals) is incredible, but it occasionally clashes with the UI elements on older devices. If the app feels sluggish or the buttons aren't responding, force-close the app. On an iPhone, swipe up from the bottom, flick Apple Music into the abyss, and restart it. It works 90% of the time.
Siri: The Hands-Free Shortcut
Honestly, sometimes it’s just easier to talk to your phone. If you're driving or your hands are covered in pizza flour, you don't want to be fumbling with the "Up Next" queue.
Just say, "Hey Siri, put this song on repeat."
She’s actually pretty good at this. She’ll confirm it, and you’ll see the icon change automatically. You can also say "Turn off repeat" or "Repeat this album." It’s one of the few things Siri does consistently well without giving you a list of web results from 2012.
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Why Does This Even Matter? (The Psychology of the Loop)
There is actual science behind why we want to know how to put a song on repeat Apple Music. According to research from the University of Michigan, the "pleasurable compulsion" of repeating a song helps us internalize the melody and rhythm. We aren't just listening; we're inhabiting the song.
For some, it’s about focus. "Lo-fi beats to study to" is a meme for a reason. Having a consistent, predictable soundscape allows the brain to enter a flow state. If the song changes, the brain has to process new lyrics, a new tempo, and a new vibe. That's a distraction. By hitting that "Repeat 1" button, you’re basically telling your brain, "Okay, we’re in the zone. Stay here."
Beyond the Basics: Creating a "One-Song Playlist"
If you’re someone who wants a song to repeat but also wants to mix in a few other things without constantly toggling the button, there’s a pro move. Create a new playlist. Name it something like "The Loop." Add the song you're obsessed with three or four times.
Why? Because sometimes the "Repeat 1" function can feel a bit robotic. By having a short playlist of 3-4 tracks that all vibe together, you get the repetition you crave without the psychological fatigue that sometimes comes from hearing the exact same snare hit 40 times in an hour.
Actionable Steps to Master Your Queue
To make sure you never lose your favorite track again, follow this specific workflow:
- Check your version: Ensure your Apple Music app is updated. Apple frequently moves UI elements in iOS updates (especially between the major versions like iOS 17 and 18).
- Toggle Autoplay off: If you want total control, tap that infinity symbol to turn it off. This prevents Apple from injecting random songs into your vibe.
- Use the "Play Next" feature: If you have a few songs you want to hear, long-press a song and select "Play Next." This builds a temporary queue where the repeat function works much more predictably.
- Clear your cache: If the app is acting buggy—like refusing to highlight the repeat icon—go to your phone settings, find Music, and check your storage. Sometimes a massive cache of downloaded "Lossless" files can make the UI stutter.
The "Repeat" function is more than just a button; it's how you control your environment. Whether you're power-lifting at the gym or crying in your bedroom to a breakup ballad, knowing exactly where those two little arrows are hiding makes the experience seamless. Don't let a cluttered UI get between you and your music.
Next Steps for Your Library
- Audit your "Up Next" queue to see if any old, forgotten tracks are blocking your ability to loop current favorites.
- Test the Siri command next time you're in the car to see if it registers "Repeat One" versus "Repeat All" correctly in your specific carplay setup.
- Experiment with the Crossfade feature in Settings > Music. Combining a 12-second crossfade with a repeating song can create a "gapless" loop that sounds like one infinite, never-ending track.