Years ago, Apple acquired Shazam and the music recognition service is increasingly appearing in the Apple System. Siri can recognize music and you can also use Shazam in the control panel for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Since watchOS 11, Shazam has also been added as standard to the Apple Watch.
You can immediately recognize music via a handy shortcut and your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch will listen to the audio that is being played. You can use this when music is playing in the area, but also when you are listening to music yourself via AirPods, earphones, headset or headphones.
Set music recognition
On an iPhone or iPad, in addition to installing the Shazam app, you can also consult music recognition directly from the control panel. This is also possible on a Mac. For Apple Watch you can use music recognition (standard Shazam app) or via a smart widget.
Add Shazam to Control Center
- Open the control panel
- Tap the plus button at the top left or place your finger on an empty space
- Choose ‘Add a controller’
- An overview of parts opens
- Search for ‘Recognize music’ and add it
Do you have iOS/iPadOS 17 or older installed? Then you can add music recognition via Settings â–¸ Control Center.
Add music recognition to macOS
Since macOS Sonoma version 14.2, you can access music recognition directly from the menu bar or control panel. Follow the steps below to activate this.
- Open System Settings on your Mac
- Navigate to ‘Control Panel’
- Scroll down to ‘Music recognition’
- Enable the ‘Show in control center’ option
- You can also enable the ‘Show in menu bar’ option
Recognize music via control panel
Open Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and tap or click the Shazam button. Immediately the software will listen and report which song is playing. You can view the found result and add it to Apple Music if necessary. Good to know, the option works automatically without intervention of the Shazam app.
Recognize music via Apple Watch
Since watchOS 11 you can use the standard installed ‘Shazam app’ under the name ‘Music Recognition’. By opening this you can immediately ensure that your Apple Watch listens to what music is being played.
In addition, you can also come across the music recognition widget in the smart stack. This appears automatically when the Apple Watch hears music in the area or at certain times. Of course you can also pin this widget in the overview.
Recognize music via headset and headphones
You can use the music recognition in the control panel not only when music is playing in the environment, but also when you are listening to music yourself via AirPods, earphones, headset or headphones.
Maybe you’re listening to a podcast or the radio and you don’t know what song is playing, then you can use the music recognition in the console and it will analyze the music playing on the headset or headphones. A notification will then show you which song you are listening to.