Spotify Connect is a feature that lets you start playing music on one device and hand off playback to another without stopping the song

When you use Spotify Connect, you control where your music plays from your phone, computer, or tablet. You can be listening on your phone, then switch playback to a speaker in your kitchen, your car, or your living room — all without restarting the song or losing your place. The music keeps going on the new device as if you had started it there.

The feature works across any device that runs Spotify: phones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, televisions, gaming consoles, and car systems. All devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same Spotify account. Spotify Connect is included with all Spotify plans — free and paid — at no extra cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Spotify Connect transfers playback between devices on the same Wi-Fi network without interrupting the song.
  • You control which device plays music from any other device on your account, using that device as a remote control.
  • The feature works with phones, computers, smart speakers, car systems, and televisions as long as they run Spotify.
  • All devices must be signed into the same Spotify account and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

How to use Spotify Connect on your phone or computer

Open Spotify and start playing any song, podcast, or playlist. Look for a small icon that looks like a speaker with a dot or signal lines — this appears in the bottom left corner on desktop or at the bottom of the now-playing screen on mobile. Tap or click that icon to see a list of all devices on your network that can receive playback.

Select the device where you want the music to play. Spotify will pause playback on your current device and resume it immediately on the device you chose, at the same point in the song. Your phone or computer now acts as a remote control — you can pause, skip, adjust volume, and change songs from where you are, and the music plays from the other device.

To switch back, open Spotify on any device and tap the speaker icon again. Select your original device or any other speaker you want to use. You can move playback between devices as many times as you want during a single listening session.

Which devices work with Spotify Connect

Spotify Connect works with any device that has the Spotify app installed or built in. This includes iPhones and Android phones, iPad and Android tablets, Windows and Mac computers, Amazon Echo and other Alexa speakers, Google Home speakers, Apple HomePod, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, and many car infotainment systems including those in Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes vehicles.

Some older devices or devices without Spotify built in may not support Connect. If you do not see the speaker icon when playing music, that device does not have the feature. You can still cast music to some devices using AirPlay on Apple devices or Chromecast on Android, but that is a different system from Spotify Connect.

Why your Spotify Connect might not be working

The most common reason Spotify Connect does not appear is that your devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that your phone and the speaker or device you want to play on are both connected to the same network — not a guest network or a different band of the same router. If one device is on 5GHz and another is on 2.4GHz, they may not see each other even though they are technically on the same network.

If devices are on the same network and you still do not see the speaker icon, restart the Spotify app on both devices. Sign out and back in if restarting does not work. Make sure both devices are running a current version of Spotify — very old versions may not support Connect. If you are using a free Spotify account, you can still use Connect, but you may see ads on the device receiving playback.

Some workplaces and schools block devices from communicating with each other on their networks, which prevents Spotify Connect from working. If you are on a corporate or school network, you may need to use your home network instead.

Spotify Connect versus casting and AirPlay

Spotify Connect, AirPlay, and Chromecast are three different ways to send music to another device, and they work in different ways. Spotify Connect is built into the Spotify app itself and only works between Spotify-enabled devices. AirPlay is Apple's system and works with any AirPlay-compatible speaker or device, but only from iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Chromecast is Google's system and works with Chromecast speakers and devices, but only from Android phones, Chromebooks, and computers with Chrome.

The main advantage of Spotify Connect is that it gives you full control from any device — you can pause, skip, and adjust volume from your phone while music plays on your speaker. With AirPlay and Chromecast, your phone is streaming the music directly to the speaker, so if your phone loses connection or goes to sleep, the music may stop. With Spotify Connect, the speaker is playing directly from Spotify's servers, so your phone can go to sleep or leave the room and the music keeps playing.

Using Spotify Connect in your car

If your car has a built-in Spotify system or Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can use Spotify Connect to switch playback from your phone to your car's system. Start playing music on your phone, tap the speaker icon, and select your car from the list of devices. The music will play through your car's speakers, and you can control it from your phone or from the car's touchscreen.

Some cars show Spotify directly on the dashboard without needing CarPlay or Android Auto. In those cases, you can also start playing music on the car's system and use your phone as a remote. When you arrive at your destination, you can switch playback back to your phone or home speaker without stopping the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Spotify Connect on a guest network?

No. Spotify Connect requires all devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network, and guest networks are usually isolated from the main network. Connect your devices to the main network instead. If your router does not have a guest network option, make sure both devices are on the same 2.4GHz or 5GHz band.

Does Spotify Connect work without Wi-Fi?

No. All devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Bluetooth is different from Spotify Connect — Bluetooth pairs two devices directly and works without Wi-Fi, but it is not the same feature. Spotify Connect requires an internet connection on both devices.

Can I use Spotify Connect with a free account?

Yes. Spotify Connect works with both free and paid accounts. The only limitation on free accounts is that you cannot skip songs as many times as you want, and you will hear ads. These restrictions apply whether you are using Connect or not.

What happens if I move to a different Wi-Fi network?

Spotify Connect will stop working if your devices are no longer on the same network. You will need to reconnect to the same Wi-Fi network as the device you want to play on. If you are away from home, you can use Bluetooth or AirPlay instead, depending on your device type.