iOS 14.5 doesn't have a default music service setting
Apple iOS version 14.5 beta testers noticed that Siri would ask you to select a player or streaming service when you instructed it to play music for the first time. This led them to assume Apple would allow users to set a default service for music. Apple has now clarified to TechCrunch that iOS 14.5 doesn't allow users to set a default music service.
Siri will ask for music service preference every few weeks
The iOS 14.5 version was released for beta testing in February. The operating system allows you to set a browser app and an email app, but not music service. In fact, Siri may ask you for your preference again in a few weeks. This could puzzle users who thought they already set a particular app as the "default" service.
Siri will learn your preferences and improve over time
Apple's clarification could disappoint people who thought iOS finally provisioned for a default music service. However, all is not lost. Apple added that Siri will learn your music preferences over time. At some point, it could automatically use Pandora when you ask for a radio station to play, and switch to Spotify when you ask for pop music, for instance.
Developers can help Siri learn your preferences quicker
Siri's accuracy of selecting the service based on the requested content can be improved in other ways as well. Developers for music players and streaming services can allow Siri to access data regarding what people listen to in their app and why. iOS users can still instruct Siri to play content using a specific app. Such requests also improve its service selection's intelligence.
Siri's learning could substitute for absence of a default setting
iOS 14.5 doesn't include an option to set a default music service. However, Siri's automatic selection, which improves over time, could provide the same convenience to people with consistent listening habits. We believe the implementation, acceptance, and success or failure of this feature could steer Apple's decision to eventually include an option to set a default music service.
