How to use the Music MiniPlayer on a Mac and keep it on top

Shrink the Music app to a small player and keep it floating above your other windows while you work. The shortcut, the setting, and how to get back.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

How do I open the MiniPlayer?

  • Choose Window, Switch to MiniPlayer.
  • Or press ⌥ ⌘ M in Music.

The big window is replaced by a small player with artwork and controls. Hover over it to see play, skip and volume.

How do I keep the MiniPlayer on top?

Open Music's settings with ⌘ ,, and turn on Keep MiniPlayer on top of all other windows. It then floats above every app, like a picture in picture video.

How do I get the full Music window back?

Click the artwork in the MiniPlayer, or press ⌥ ⌘ M again, or choose Window, Music.

Can I control music without any window?

Yes. The play and skip keys on the keyboard work from any app. Control Center's Now Playing also shows the track; it can live in the menu bar too, set in System Settings, Menu Bar.

Float other things the same way: picture in picture, sticky notes, keep any window on top.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: Switch to MiniPlayer and the Keep MiniPlayer on top of all other windows option are present in the Music app, and Now Playing in System Settings, Menu Bar.

Questions

How do I get the mini player in Apple Music on Mac?

Choose Window, Switch to MiniPlayer, or press Option Command M.

How do I keep the Music MiniPlayer on top?

Turn on Keep MiniPlayer on top of all other windows in Music's settings.

How do I go back to the full Music window?

Click the artwork in the MiniPlayer, or press Option Command M.

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