Does Spotify Work On Apple Watch?
Spotify is arguably the best music subscription service around and has been usable on mobile devices, computers, and even some Bluetooth-enabled car radios for years.
However, does Spotify work on Apple Watch?
Does Spotify Work On Apple Watch?
The Spotify app works from your Apple Watch, with many features available. However, some features are only available for Spotify Premium users, but you can get both the free or the premium version of Spotify on your Apple Watch.
Discover how you can use Spotify on your Apple Watch, including what’s available for all users, and what’s reserved for Premium users.
The Many Ways To Use Spotify On Apple Watch
There are so many ways you can use Spotify on your Apple Watch.
The options range from controlling the app on other devices to playing music fully autonomous from your phone.
Let’s look at each of the options you’ll enjoy as you jam to the soundtrack for your day.
Streaming Control
Like many other media players on iPhone, your Apple Watch can control what you’re streaming on your phone.
This includes being able to start and stop the player, control volume, and skip tracks.
However, Spotify goes well beyond these basic controls.
Rather, you can access your recently played songs and playlists, allowing you to easily change what you’re listening to directly from your Apple Watch.
You won’t have access to your entire library on your phone, but it’s nice to have options from your watch.
To access these additional controls, simply swipe to the left from the primary control screen.
Swipe to the right, and you’ll access the entire playlist you’re currently listening to, allowing you to jump directly to the song you’re jonesing to hear.
These additional features are only available to Spotify Premium subscribers.
Any of their Premium plans will give you this access, including the popular Student plan, available to students at accredited higher education institutions.
Streaming Directly from Apple Watch
Also available for Premium subscribers is the ability to play music directly from your watch.
While free subscribers can control the phone app with their Apple Watch, they cannot actually play the music from the watch itself.
To play Spotify directly on your watch, you’ll need a Series 3 Apple Watch or later, running watchOS 6.0 or above.
Additionally, you’ll need either a cellular connection on your watch, or have your watch connected to a WiFi network.
You’ll also want to make sure that you’re running the latest version of Spotify on your iPhone to keep your Apple Watch app up-to-date.
Additionally, you’ll need to pair your Bluetooth headset, headphones, or speaker to your Apple Watch.
You do this on your watch by going to Settings > Bluetooth.
Then you’ll look for your device while it’s in pairing mode and connect it.
If you’re doing this with the same device you have connected to your phone, be sure to turn Bluetooth off on your phone before attempting to pair it.
Play Spotify Offline
One feature Apple Watch users have clamored for is the ability to download music directly to their watch so that they can listen to music without Internet connect.
Spotify made this feature available for all Premium users in May 2021. You can now leave your phone behind when you want to go for a run, but can still take your tunes with you.
Spotify allows for up to 10,000 minutes of audio downloaded to your watch at a time, that’s nearly seven full days worth of music!
There are a few steps you’ll need to take to make this work properly.
The first step is to make sure your Bluetooth audio device is connected to your watch. See the instructions above for how to pair your devices.
Next, you’ll need to download the music you want on your watch while you’re connected to either cellular data or a WiFi connection.
You’ll need your phone to actually download music before you head out, so give yourself a little time to make sure it works properly.
Start by finding the track, album, playlist, or podcast you want to download to your watch.
Once you find what you would like to download, tap the three dots next to the info button.
From there, you’ll tap Download to Apple Watch.
Control External Devices
Your Apple Watch can easily control playing Spotify on other connected devices on your network.
This could include smart monitors and televisions, smart speakers, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and more.
The only caveat is that the devices must be on the same network as the watch.
Connecting your watch to a compatible device is easy.
Once you have something playing on Spotify, look for the Spotify Connect icon, which looks like a phone.
You tap this, and you’ll see all the available devices.
Just tap on the one you want to use to play your music.
Save Favorites
While you’re playing music, you may use some smart playlists, like Your Daily Mix, and you may find new tracks you like.
When you do, you can easily add them to your library.
Just open the song profile and tap on the heart.
Don’t Forget Siri
One of the favorite features available on Apple Watch is your favorite digital assistant.
You can even use Siri to help manage your Spotify playback.
It’ll respond to commands like “Hey Siri, play my daily mix on Spotify.” This is a great way to play songs that you may not be able to browse on your phone otherwise.
Additionally, you’ll have access to play, stop, skip, and adjust volume through Siri. You can also like a song and ask what’s currently playing. Siri gives you numerous options for managing your Spotify activity directly from your Apple Watch.