Introducing the Problem of iPad Randomly Playing Music
Many iPad users have experienced the frustrating issue of their device randomly starting to play music without any prompting. This unexplained behavior can be disruptive and confusing. The music may start blasting while using apps, watching videos, or when the iPad is locked and not in use.
The main complaint is that the iPad will suddenly begin playing music from the Apple Music library even when the Music app is not open. In many cases, users report they do not even have an Apple Music subscription or music downloaded on their device.
This bizarre glitch leaves users wondering what causes an iPad to act possessed and play music at random times. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and solve this problem.
Check Basic Settings
One of the most common reasons an iPad may randomly start playing music is due to the auto-play settings. Go to Settings > Music and check if “Play Similar Songs” is enabled under Autoplay. This can trigger the Music app to automatically start playing similar songs even when not actively using the app (Source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251341080).
Also go to Settings > Display & Brightness and confirm “Play Music on Wake” is disabled. If enabled, this will play music when waking the iPad from sleep (Source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7548529).
Finally, check Settings > Wallpaper > Choose New Wallpaper and make sure “Play Shuffle” under the lock screen wallpaper is turned off. This can randomly shuffle and play songs from your library for the lock screen.
Close Background Apps
One possible cause of random music playback is having too many apps running in the background. Even when you aren’t actively using an app, it can still be running processes behind the scenes. For example, the Apple Music app may trigger music playback from time to time even when closed [1]. Allowing too many background apps can also drain your battery faster [2].
To close background apps on an iPad, double click the home button to bring up the app switcher. Then, swipe up on each app preview to fully close it. Going through and closing any apps not currently in use can help prevent unwanted background activity. Pay particular attention to closing any music, podcast, video, or audio apps not being used. This forces them to fully quit and stops them from randomly playing media in the background.
Update Software
One potential cause of the iPad randomly playing music is outdated software. An outdated operating system can cause bugs and glitches like unintended music playback. Apple regularly releases software updates to fix issues, improve performance, and add new features to iOS devices like the iPad.
To check for pending software updates on an iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available updates, especially major iOS releases which contain broader fixes. For example, users on Apple’s support forums reported the issue stopping after updating to iOS 17.
Updating to the latest iOS version can resolve unexpected music playback by patching software bugs. Allow time for the iPad to fully install updates and restart. If the issue persists after updating, it’s likely caused by another factor.
Disable Widgets and Notifications
Widgets and notifications on your iPad can sometimes trigger media to autoplay unexpectedly. This typically happens with music or podcast widgets that are designed to give you a preview of recent content. For example, if you have the Apple Music widget on your home screen, it may automatically start playing a song preview or radio station.
Notifications can also autoplay media when they come through, especially if you have media apps connected. For instance, getting an incoming notification from Spotify could automatically open the app and begin playing music.
To prevent automatic music playback from widgets and notifications, you can disable or remove any widgets that have autoplay enabled. Go to your widgets screen and edit or delete any widgets tied to music, podcast, or media apps.
You can also adjust notification settings for each app under Settings > Notifications and disable media autoplay options if available. Turning off notifications permissions for music and entertainment apps can help prevent autoplay triggers.
For specific instructions, check out this Apple support article on managing iPad widgets and this guide on managing notifications.
Restart and Reset iPad
One of the first troubleshooting steps when an iPad is having issues like randomly playing music is to restart it. Restarting the iPad essentially resets the device and clears out any temporary glitches that may be causing problems.
To restart an iPad, hold down the sleep/wake button until the red slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the iPad. After about 30 seconds, hold down the sleep/wake button again until the Apple logo appears to turn the iPad back on. This will completely reboot the system.
If restarting doesn’t solve the issue, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings. This will erase all content and settings and restore the device to its original state. To reset, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap “Erase All Content and Settings.” Just make sure to backup the iPad to iCloud or iTunes first to avoid losing data.
As suggested in this Apple support thread, resetting the iPad can often fix problems with music playback getting stuck. Resetting the device essentially gives it a fresh start which can clear out any corrupted files or settings causing the random music playing issue.
Check Connected Devices
One of the most common reasons an iPad may randomly start playing music is that it’s triggered by a connected Bluetooth device. When certain Bluetooth devices connect to an iPad, it can automatically begin playback of media even without the user initiating it. This often happens with Bluetooth speakers, headphones, cars, and other gadgets.
To check if a connected device is the culprit, go to Settings > Bluetooth and look at the list of paired devices. If you see any accessories listed that you’re not actively using, tap the “i” icon next to it and select “Forget this Device.” This will unpair it from your iPad which prevents it from connecting automatically.
You can also try turning Bluetooth off completely temporarily and seeing if the random music stops. If so, it’s likely a paired Bluetooth device that’s triggering it. Be sure to only keep devices paired that you use regularly with your iPad to prevent unwanted connections.
According to discussions on Apple’s support forums, this Bluetooth auto-play issue is commonly reported with various accessories and models of iPad. Unpairing unused devices or toggling Bluetooth off seems to resolve it in most cases.
Restore iPad
If you’ve tried all the other troubleshooting steps but your iPad keeps randomly playing music, restoring your iPad from a backup or to factory settings may resolve the issue. Restoring an iPad erases all settings and content and installs the latest iOS version, potentially fixing software corruption that could cause random music playback.
To restore your iPad from a backup, connect it to a computer and open iTunes or Finder. Select your device and click “Restore Backup.” Choose the backup you want to restore from the list. Your iPad data, settings, and content will return to the state saved in that backup.
You can also erase your iPad entirely and reset to factory settings. On the iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset and choose “Erase All Content and Settings.” This will wipe your iPad and reinstall the latest iOS version. You’ll have to set up the device again and sync content from iCloud backups or iTunes.
For step-by-step instructions, see Apple’s support article on restoring iPad from a backup or restoring to factory settings. Restoring your iPad should resolve software issues causing random music playback if other troubleshooting fails.
Hardware Malfunction
In some cases, the issue could be caused by a deeper hardware or software malfunction with the iPad. This may be evident if the random music persists even after closing all apps, updating software, resetting the iPad, and checking connected devices. Some signs pointing to a hardware/software issue include:
The iPad playing audio out of nowhere with no apps visibly open (Source 1). This indicates the music playback is somehow being triggered at the system level.
The issue arising even after fully resetting the iPad to factory settings (Source 2). This rules out any specific app or software being the culprit.
Persistent playback from Apple Music even after deleting the app (Source 1). This points to a deeper integration with the Apple Music system.
If basic troubleshooting does not resolve the random music playback, it’s best to contact Apple support. They can run diagnostics to check for hardware defects or system errors causing the problem. A hardware repair or replacement may be necessary if the issue stems from a component malfunction.
Contact Apple Support
If you have tried all of the troubleshooting steps listed above and your iPad continues to randomly play music, it’s a good idea to contact Apple Support for further assistance. Apple’s technical support team has more tools at their disposal to diagnose the issue.
You can contact Apple Support through their website, by scheduling a call from the Apple Support app on your iPhone or iPad, or by bringing your device to an Apple Store for in-person support. When you contact Apple Support, be ready to provide details about when the random music playback occurs and what troubleshooting you’ve already attempted.
Apple’s support team can run diagnostics, check for software bugs, and potentially even replace the iPad if a hardware issue is discovered. If the cause of the random music playback is identified, Apple can provide customized troubleshooting steps or a software update to resolve it.
Contacting Apple Support is the best way to get expert help tailored to your specific device if you cannot resolve the random music issue on your own. Apple’s technicians have access to internal tools and extensive experience troubleshooting iOS devices.