How to Keep Songs from Repeating on the iPhone 5 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Keeping music playing smoothly on your iPhone 5 should be simple. Yet many users get stuck with one song looping over and over. If you are wondering how to keep songs from repeating on the iPhone 5, you are in the right place.

This guide explains everything in a friendly and beginner-friendly way. You will learn what causes songs to repeat, how Apple Music and the Music app handle repeat settings, and easy steps to fix the issue quickly.

We will walk through the Repeat button, playlists, and settings that might keep a song stuck on repeat. No technical background required.

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Why Do Songs Keep Repeating on the iPhone 5?

There are a few common reasons:

• The Repeat One mode is turned on accidentally.

• A playlist has only one song in it.

• Settings were changed after a recent iOS update.

• You tapped the repeat icon without noticing.

Apple’s Music app makes the repeat button small and easy to hit by mistake. That is why many users deal with this issue at some point.

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Understanding the Repeat Options in the Music App

In the iPhone 5 Music app, there are 3 repeat modes:

You want Repeat Off or Repeat All. If it is set to Repeat One, the same track will loop forever.

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How to Keep Songs from Repeating on the iPhone 5

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open the Music App

Tap the Music app and start playback of any song.

Step 2: Open the Now Playing Screen

Tap the song title to open the Now Playing interface.

Step 3: Check the Repeat Button

Look for the Repeat icon, which looks like two circular arrows.

It may appear:

• Gray: Off

• Red: Repeat All

• Red with a small 1: Repeat One (this causes the issue)

Step 4: Toggle to the Right Setting

Tap the Repeat icon until:

✅ It turns gray (to stop repeating completely)
or
✅ It shows red without the number 1 (to repeat the playlist or album)

That is all it takes.

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How to Disable Repeat Mode From the Full Controls Screen

Some users do not see the Repeat icon on the basic screen. If that happens:

1. Swipe up on the Now Playing screen.

2. Controls such as Shuffle and Repeat will appear.

3. Tap Repeat until it turns gray.

This ensures the song plays once and moves to the next track.

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How to Stop a Playlist from Looping

If the entire playlist keeps repeating:

1. Open the playlist while playing music.

2. Tap the Up Next queue icon.

3. Look for the Repeat symbol at the top of the queue.

4. Tap until it turns gray.

This stops albums and playlists from looping endlessly.

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Bonus Tip: Check Your Playlist Length

If your playlist has only one song, music will appear stuck on repeat even with Repeat Off.

Create a longer playlist:

• Add several songs

• Create a new playlist with multiple albums

• Use Apple Music radio or curated stations

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Why Does the Repeat Button Get Enabled Accidentally?

The iPhone 5 screen is small. When you swipe between different Now Playing controls:

• Your finger may land on Shuffle or Repeat unexpectedly.

• The icons are next to scrolling areas.

• Some cases make screen taps slightly inaccurate.

Pay attention when adjusting the playback screen to avoid re-enabling it.

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How to Keep Songs from Repeating Using Siri

If tapping around feels tricky:

You can say:

“Turn off repeat.”
or
“Stop repeating this song.”

Siri will adjust playback settings automatically.

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Troubleshooting: What If the Repeat Icon Still Shows On?

Try these fixes:

1. Force Close the Music App

1. Double-press Home

2. Swipe up on Music

3. Reopen the app

2. Restart Your iPhone

A quick reboot resets minor software glitches.

3. Update iOS if possible

If updates are still available for your version, apply them.

4. Re-sync Music

If using iTunes:

1. Connect iPhone to iTunes

2. Rebuild your playlists

3. Sync again

This refreshes the music database and fixes stuck settings.

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How to Prevent Songs from Repeating in the Car or Bluetooth Devices

Car stereos and Bluetooth systems can override iPhone playback.

Try:

• Check the stereo app’s repeat setting

• Restart Bluetooth connection

• Use the iPhone controls instead of the car steering controls

A quick reconnection usually resolves synchronization issues.

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How to Stop Apple Music Radio from Repeating Songs

Apple Music Radio behaves differently:

• It uses stations

• It picks songs automatically

• Repeats happen due to limited song pool

Solutions:

• Change station

• Add more liked songs

• Tap “Play More Like This” to improve recommendations

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Table: Quick Fixes Summary

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my iPhone keep repeating the same song even after I turn off Repeat?

You may have only one song in your playlist or the app might need a restart.

2. How do I find the Repeat button in the Music app?

Swipe up on the Now Playing screen to reveal additional controls like Shuffle and Repeat.

3. Can I use Siri to turn off song repeating?

Yes. Just say: “Turn off repeat” or “Stop repeating this song.”

4. Why do songs repeat only in my car?

Car stereos can alter playback settings. Disconnect and restart the Music app.

5. Do iOS updates change the repeat settings?

Yes. New updates can sometimes reset default playback options.

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Conclusion

You now know how to keep songs from repeating on the iPhone 5. The main fix is almost always the Repeat button. Once you understand how Repeat One, Repeat All, and Repeat Off work, music playback becomes frustration free.

Quick Tips:

• Check the Repeat icon regularly.

• Add more songs if you use a short playlist.

• Restart the Music app if settings seem stuck.

• Use Siri for hands-free control.

Enjoy smooth music playback without the same song looping forever.

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✅ Summary: Key Takeaways

• The Repeat icon controls whether music loops.

• Repeat One means the same song plays nonstop.

• Tap the Repeat icon until gray to disable repeating.

• Car systems and Bluetooth can override settings.

• Restarting the app solves most problems.

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