How to Add a Spotify Playlist in Apple Shortcuts
Apple Shortcuts is one of the more powerful automation tools built into iOS and macOS — and yes, it can work with Spotify. But the integration isn't as seamless as it is with Apple Music, so understanding what's actually possible (and what isn't) saves a lot of frustration before you start building.
What Apple Shortcuts Can and Can't Do with Spotify
Apple Shortcuts communicates with third-party apps through URL schemes and Siri intents. Spotify supports both, but with limitations.
Spotify does not have a native, deep Shortcuts action library the way Apple Music does. You won't find a drag-and-drop "Play Spotify Playlist" action sitting in the Shortcuts app by default. Instead, you work around this using:
- Spotify's URL scheme (
spotify:) to open specific playlists directly - The Open URLs action in Shortcuts to trigger Spotify content
- Siri voice commands routed through Spotify, which work independently of Shortcuts automations
This distinction matters. A shortcut built around a URL scheme opens Spotify and starts playback — it doesn't give you programmatic control over volume, queue management, or shuffle state the way a native integration would.
How to Find Your Spotify Playlist URI
To link a specific playlist inside a shortcut, you need its Spotify URI — a unique identifier that looks like this:
spotify:playlist:37i9dQZF1DXcBWIGoYBM5M Here's how to find it:
- Open Spotify on desktop or mobile
- Navigate to the playlist you want to use
- Tap or click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to the playlist name
- Select Share
- On desktop, hold Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) to reveal "Copy Spotify URI" instead of the standard share link
- On mobile, copy the share link — you'll need to convert it manually (the long string after
/playlist/in the URL is the playlist ID)
Once you have the URI, you can construct the full link:
spotify:playlist:YOUR_PLAYLIST_ID_HERE Building the Shortcut Step by Step
With your playlist URI ready, here's how to build a working shortcut in the Shortcuts app:
- Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Tap + to create a new shortcut
- Search for and add the "Open URLs" action
- Paste your Spotify URI into the URL field (e.g.,
spotify:playlist:37i9dQZF1DXcBWIGoYBM5M) - Name your shortcut — something like "Play Morning Playlist"
- Optionally, tap the shortcut icon to add it to your Home Screen
When triggered, this shortcut launches Spotify and begins playing that specific playlist. If Spotify isn't already open, it will open automatically.
Adding It to an Automation
Where this becomes genuinely useful is inside Automations — Shortcuts that run on a trigger rather than manually. For example:
- Time of day: Play a workout playlist every weekday at 6:30 AM
- Location: Start a commute playlist when you leave home
- Focus mode: Launch a focus playlist when Work Focus activates
- Connected to CarPlay: Begin a driving playlist when your car connects
To set this up, go to the Automation tab in Shortcuts, tap +, choose your trigger, then add the same "Open URLs" action with your Spotify URI.
⚠️ One caveat: some automations on iOS require you to confirm them before they run unless you toggle off "Ask Before Running." Whether that option is available depends on the trigger type and your iOS version.
Variables That Affect How Well This Works
Not every setup behaves the same way. Several factors shape your actual experience:
| Variable | How It Affects the Result |
|---|---|
| iOS / macOS version | Older versions have fewer automation trigger types and less Spotify URI support |
| Spotify app version | URL scheme behavior can change between Spotify updates |
| Free vs. Premium account | Free accounts have shuffle-only playback on mobile; the shortcut will open the playlist but Spotify controls shuffle |
| Device type | iPhone, iPad, Mac, and HomePod each handle app-launching shortcuts differently |
| Background app refresh | If Spotify is restricted in the background, automations may have a delay or fail silently |
The Free vs. Premium distinction is especially relevant here. If you're on a free Spotify plan, triggering a playlist via shortcut will still open it — but Spotify may shuffle it rather than play in order, regardless of your shortcut setup. That's a Spotify account restriction, not a Shortcuts limitation.
🎵 Where the Siri Route Differs
There's a separate path worth knowing about: Siri can control Spotify directly without you building any shortcut. Saying "Hey Siri, play my Discover Weekly on Spotify" works if Spotify is set as your default music app (iOS 14.5 and later allow this). This isn't the same as a Shortcuts automation — it's a voice-triggered action — but for simple playlist launching, it's lower friction than building a URL scheme shortcut.
If your goal is hands-free playback on demand, the Siri route may actually be faster to set up. If your goal is automated, trigger-based playback (play when I arrive somewhere, play at a certain time), the shortcut approach is the right tool.
The Setup You're Working With Changes Everything
The method that works best for you depends on a combination of factors that aren't visible from the outside: whether you have Spotify Premium, which iOS version you're running, which triggers matter to your daily routine, and how much friction you're willing to accept in setup versus daily use. The mechanics above give you a complete picture of what's available — but how those pieces fit your specific situation is the part only you can evaluate.