Current Shazam options
Currently, you can either manually ask Shazam to identify a song, or set an auto Shazam function to continually listen and log details of all songs played.
The manual option works on all Apple devices, including the Apple Watch. Auto Shazam only works on iOS devices (though most of you would like to see it on the Apple Watch, and we have requested it). On your iPhone, long-press the Shazam button until you see auto Shazam active.
With auto Shazam, your iPhone will store details of all the songs it identifies until you cancel it. Even though this leaves the microphone active, Apple says that there is no privacy risk.
When Auto Shazam is on, Shazam will match what you’re hearing with songs in the Shazam database – even when you switch to another app. Shazam never saves or stores what it hears.
You can also set auto Shazam to activate as soon as you open the app.
To make Shazam start listening automatically when you open the app on your iPhone or iPad, swipe up to My Music from the main Shazam screen, tap the Settings button, then turn on “Shazam on app start.”
The technology described in the patent application goes beyond this. It would be fully automatic, working out which songs you might like to identify from how your body responds to the music.
