iOS 17.3's Collaborative Apple Music Playlist Feature Includes Animated Emoji Reactions

With the iOS 17.3 update, Apple reintroduced the collaborative Apple Music playlist feature, allowing Apple Music users to build playlists with friends, family, and others who share their musical tastes.

apple music collaborative playlist emoji
For context, Apple initially tested collaborative playlists in iOS 17.2, but ended up pulling the feature from the fourth beta prior to when iOS 17.2 was released. Apple said on Monday that it would instead be launching in 2024, and on Tuesday, collaborative playlists showed up in the iOS 17.3 beta.

The new implementation allows all of the collaborators on a specific playlist to provide emoji reactions, similar to how tapback reactions work in Messages. To add an emoji reaction, play a collaborative playlist and then while a song is in progress, you can tap on the music player to see the emoji interface.

There are standard emoji reactions to choose from like heart and thumbs up, but tapping on the "+" button allows you to choose from any of the available emoji options.


When you play a song that others have added emoji reactions to, you can see those emoji pop up from the emoji interface. Those who want to see collaborative ‌Apple Music‌ playlists and emoji reactions in action can join the MacRumors Apple Music playlist to add songs and listen to content from other MacRumors readers.

Collaborative playlists in ‌Apple Music‌ are expected to be available to the public in January following the launch of iOS 17.3.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Top Rated Comments

Dj64Mk7 Avatar
17 months ago
How is reacting to a song with emojis “insane”? Seems rather hyperbolic…
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
17 months ago

Why would anyone want to do this?
The same reason we have reactions to texts. Someone adds a song and you acknowledge it. Communcation evolves.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ltd73 Avatar
17 months ago
Would rather have the opportunity to find the Dolby albums in my library easy.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eicca Avatar
17 months ago
Reactions to texts is one thing, but this is the epitome of "we're bored and need to find something to add to the next release."

..Instead of, you know, fixing all the bugs and UX disasters that keep me from using the Music app at all.

I rebuilt my old iPod Mini (yes the 2005 one) and it's soooooooo much nicer to use.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
17 months ago
I never considered Apple Music a viable option, but aNImAteD EMoJi rEacTiOnS! Now you have my attention!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Account25476 Avatar
17 months ago
Reactions to songs? What is this Whatsapp? Oh my...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)