Apple often prefers to keep users engaged within its ecosystem of user-friendly yet restrictive applications. While this approach can have its advantages—such as the convenience of unlocking a Mac with an Apple Watch—it can be frustrating when options for third-party applications or services are limited. Consider Shazam, a song recognition app acquired by Apple, as a prime example of this limitation.

When requesting Siri to identify a song in the background, the assistant listens closely, utilizes Shazam to recognize it, and promptly presents a button to play the track in Apple Music. This is beneficial for users who subscribe to Apple’s service but can be a drawback for those who prefer alternatives like Spotify or YouTube Music. Luckily, the automation community has crafted a solution: a handy shortcut known as Quick Shazam, developed by @ZXXII on RoutineHub.

Direct Shazam to Link Songs to Spotify or Other Services

If you wish to prevent Shazam from redirecting you to Apple Music every time, you’ll need to use Apple’s Shortcuts application. This app is usually pre-installed on most iPhones. Start by downloading the Quick Shazam shortcut and running it on your device. The initial setup will prompt you to select your preferred music service from the following choices:

• Spotify

• Deezer

• Tidal

• iTunes

• YouTube

• YouTube Music

• Pandora

• SoundCloud

Rest assured, if you decide to cancel a subscription later, you can easily update your selection at any time. Prior to using this shortcut, consider enhancing its accessibility by adding it to your Home Screen. To accomplish this, access the Shortcuts app, press and hold the Quick Shazam icon, and select Share, followed by Add to Home Screen. This way, it will function like a standard app.

Whenever you want to use the shortcut, simply tap its icon to launch Shazam, which will begin listening for the next song. When a track is identified, a pop-up will appear briefly, showcasing an Apple Music option. Feel free to disregard this, as the shortcut will automatically hide the pop-up and redirect you to your chosen music streaming platform.